Passing game made a big difference for Londonderry football

There's something different about the Londonderry High School football team this season.

Yes, the Lancers did get their first win over Pinkerton Academy last Friday since 2001, beating the Astros 42-24 in Derry, and that big difference is a big part of why Londonderry was able to do it.

For the first time since Jimmy Lauzon took over as a head coach, the Lancers (4-0) have a pair of receivers who can change the game with one reception. Both senior receivers Cole Keegan and Alex Tsetsilas have shown they have plenty of big-play capability so far this year.

"I’ve had good receivers but not two at the same time like this," Lauzon said. "Their ability to stretch the field makes us a little more dangerous.

"(Running back Jeffrey) Wiedenfeld is one of the best around in the backfield but for two years, we’ve been kind of one-dimensional as Cole and Alex have grown up. Now that they’re seniors, they’re putting in a lot of work. They were good last year, but now they’re on another level."

The two were the only players who caught pass last Friday from quarterback Jake McEachern, with Keegan finishing with six receptions for 170 yards and a touchdown while Tsetsilas had two catches for 46 yards and a score, and also had two interceptions on defense.

The pair came up big in the second quarter right after Pinkerton (2-2) scored to make it a 14-7 game. On second-and-4 at the Londonderry 36-yard line, McEachern hit Keegan for a 36-yard gain to the Astros' 28.

And on the next play, the senior quarterback connected with Tsetsilas for a 28-yard touchdown that made it 21-7.

"Our receivers, they made big plays out of little throws," McEachern said. "I was really proud of them. They always get open and they always catch the ball for me. I just put it in their window and they go get it."

After forcing Pinkerton to punt, the Lancers faced a third-and-4 at their own 43 when McEachern found Keegan for enough yardage for the first down, but Keegan had other plans.

"(Lauzon) called a post for me," Keegan said. "We stopped it short and I saw the guy out of the corner of my eye before I caught it, so I was prepared to back juke. I caught and back juked, and just went for it."

Keegan outran the Pinkerton secondary for a 57-yard touchdown and a 28-7 Londonderry lead with 3:54 left in the second quarter.

"There are a lot of people who think Cole is the best receiver in the state, but I’ll tell you, Alex is right there with him," Lauzon said. "You’ve got to respect both of them. Alex has been unbelievable and he was unbelievable last year. He can run the ball, he can throw the ball.

"They’re both great on defense. They’ve been playing for us for three years. They’re a tough challenge. You’ve got to respect them and hopefully that opens up Wiedenfeld, (Tyler) Kayo and McEachern."

Londonderry had 88 of its 153 rushing yards in the second half as the Lancers tried to eat up clock and Pinkerton focused on taking away the passing game.

"It’s just routine now," Keegan said. "We’re on the same page all the time, it’s just what we do. It’s been amazing. Jake knows Alex and I can break free and get it, so we just had to switch off. We celebrate for each other."