By KEN LIPSHEZ
Herald Staff

Even a case-hardened four-year varsity player like New Britain kicker/linebacker Juan Duque couldn’t fight off the one-two punch of emotion.

The apparent source was the 3-0 win over arch-rival Southington – the first since Jack Cochran’s final days in 2004 – in which Duque delivered the game’s only points.

The second was less obvious. Maurice Strickland, a 5-11, 285-pound occasional starter at defensive tackle, could be seen making his way slowly across the turf at Rentschler Field last Friday night.

You could see by his deliberate pace that using crutches was a new experience for him. A broken leg cost Strickland the most exciting part of his senior season, one that he strived to attain. It cost him a chance to lace up the cleats to play where UConn plays, a rare thrill for state high school players.

As Duque discussed the 26-yard field goal that sank the Blue Knights – as straight and true as a field goal can be – tears welled up in his eyes. Underneath the eyes were black patches etched with a tribute to “Big Mo.” His thoughts focused on his fallen teammate and how the victory was a gift to him. He cast any personal glory aside.

“We were playing for my teammate Mo,” Duque said through thick layers of sentiment. “He got hurt last game. He fought to be [academically] eligible. He made it then ended up hurt. We had to play for him. We came out here in black shirts for him.”

Coach Paul Morrell spoke of the effect Strickland’s injury had on the team.

“Losing Mo last week was like losing a family member,” said Morrell, his voice crackling with emotion. “I think it hit everyone when Mo came in. They knew, but when they saw Mo on crutches the other day, it hit them.

“This is what we talk about when your entire career’s done in an instant.”

QUARTERBACK QUANDARY: NBHS football fans have gotten a good look at reserve Jeremy Rosario behind center, and the 5-10, 180-pound senior has done an exceptional job.

But junior starter Rafal Garcarz, who hasn’t thrown a pass since Week 7 at Rockville, did some punting and played some cornerback against Southington. Another senior – Michael Martinez – got some snaps when Morrell went to the double wing set that the Hurricanes call “Monster.”

“First off, I’m no Randy Edsall. I’m not trying to hide anything,” Morrell said, standing where the reticent UConn coach does most of his business.

“Garcarz broke a bone in his throwing hand. It was casted up – a modified cast with the hopes he could still throw a football. It didn’t work out. He’s such a trooper, he decided he was going to cut the cast off himself the other day. Needless to say, he’s still going to practice.”

Morrell said the hand is still not strong enough to grip the football but hopes the 11 days between the Southington victory and the Thanksgiving Eve showdown with Glastonbury for a piece of the CCC North title and a ticket to the Class LL playoffs will give him healing time.

“I think he can be [ready],” Morrell said. “We’re back to being in an interesting situation here because Jeremy has done a great job. Obviously he’s the first quarterback to beat Southington in four years. It’s nice to have the luxury of having (an effective) backup and a starter.”

Monster provided New Britain the impetus to get Duque well within his range. The key development in the seven-play sequence was a 24-yard gallop by ever-improving junior back Kaiuway Boima, who quietly amassed his seventh 100-yard game of the season.

ACADEMIC IMPROVEMENT: A year ago when New Britain visited Southington, academic ineligibility decimated the team before its biggest challenge of the season.

The problem was addressed in the offseason. The Hurricane family rallied around Play It Smart.

Play It Smart, a program created by the National Football Foundation and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1998 to enhance studies in inner-city schools, is subsidized in part by the NFL and the NFL Players Association. It supplies compensation for an academic coach, in this case Craig Johnson, father of former New Britain stars Neil and Ian Johnson.

“Play It Smart has earned its money,” Morrell said. “Craig Johnson has done a great job.

“Before the game, that was the first question out of a lot of coaches’ mouths from around the area. ‘How many ineligible you got?’ None.”

DUQUE ENHANCES RÉSUMÉ: Anybody who’s seen Duque’s uncanny accuracy on extra points, his long kickoffs and his field-goal proficiency would agree that the senior has a future in college.

The three-pointer that bested Southington, one that the referees said couldn’t have been any more perfect, provided Morrell a terrific opportunity to showcase his star.

“What’s great is I’ve been sending out tapes and the kid’s got [seven] field goals. Through the years he’s had a lot for a high school kid and he’s getting the ball deeper [on kickoffs],” Morrell said. “It’s nice that now I can send out tape and show them a pressure situation, winning a 3-0 game with the tighter uprights at the college level.

“He loves to kick. He wants to kick the football and get an education.”