Starting at free safety for Marist, senior Brendan Killen knows he’s the last line of defense.
It’s a responsibility he’s grown to love.
“There’s definitely a lot of pressure,” said Killen, who played offense before high school. “I’ve got to be confident in what I do and make sure I do my job.”
Killen’s interception in the first quarter led to a Marist touchdown as the RedHawks took the early lead against Neuqua Valley and rolled to a 49-28 victory on Oct. 23 in a Class 8A opening-round game.
Junior Jake Fleming threw for 371 yards and three touchdowns on 14-for-20 passing, connecting with juniors JJ Nash and Billy Nitsche and sophomore Conor Fleming for a TD apiece. Senior Tommy Hosty also rushed a for a score.
Senior running back Conor Hunt was a force as well, totaling 18 carries for 139 yards and three touchdowns.
Marist (6-4) will play at Mount Carmel (7-2) in a first-round game. The Caravan beat the RedHawks 56-26 in Week 4.
Making the jump from quarterback and running back to free safety, Killen has been a bit of a football sponge.
He loves watching games, especially NFL, and is always looking for little things he can do to get better.
“It’s putting in the minutes, watching all the film and trusting my teammates they’ll do their job,” Killen said. “Then, I’ll have better confidence to do mine and be in a perfect spot to help the team.”
The game was tied 7-7 in the first quarter when Killen skied to make a play on a Neuqua throw up the left.
He reeled in the catch and had a short return up the sideline.
“It was a huge momentum swing,” Killen said. “The offense went down and scored right after that. I wouldn’t have gotten it without my teammates. It’s all 11 guys.”
It was Killen’s third interception of the year. Last year, he played special teams and was a backup free safety.
“Interceptions, those are really cool,” Killen said. “You’re super nervous to go up and get it. I want to get up the field. I read it, saw it come my way and went and got the ball.”
Hosty said Killen is always a positive presence.
“Brendan brings the energy every day at practice,” Hosty said. “He’s a great guy to have around. He communicates, and he’ll always be there.”
Marist led 35-14 early in the third. Neuqua hung around, pulling within 35-28 late in the quarter.
Trailing by two scores in the fourth, Neuqua drove into the Marist red zone. But Hosty and seniors Jack Lorenz and Elijah Thornton made a clutch play to keep junior quarterback Ben Travis from leaping into the end zone from the 3-yard line.
“That was definitely cool,” Hosty said. “You literally have control off the guy. That’s a great feeling to make the stop.”