Nobody’s perfect but on a football field it’s obvious that quarterback Brendan Lydon is the quintessential perfectionist.
The 17-year-old junior signal-caller turned in a dynamic effort on Dec. 3 at Gillette Stadium, leading King Philip Regional to its first Super Bowl title in school history. The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder connected on 13 of 18 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns in the Warriors’ 21-18 triumph over Reading in the Division 1A game. Lydon also rushed two yards for KP’s other TD.
The triumph over Reading had plenty of significance for the team, its fans and the coaches. For Lydon, the victory no doubt was special because he became the first QB in the program’s history to lead a KP grid squad to a Super Bowl crown. But, there was even more significance linked to the triumph. The winning result was the 34th straight victory for Lydon as a starting quarterback.
The Wrentham native led the freshmen team in 2014 to an 11-0 record. Then, as the junior varsity quarterback in 2015, he guided the Warriors to another 11-0 record. Add KP’s 12-0 varsity record in 2016 to the mix and Lydon is as “perfect’’ as one can be calling the signals.
“I didn’t focus on the unbeaten streak at all,’’ Lydon said. “My prime goal was to get the win and help us become Super Bowl champs. What is astonishing is knowing that I’m the first quarterback to lead KP to a state championship in football. Winning the bowl game ranks as my top thrill and my best game ever.’’
KP coach Brian Lee isn’t surprised about the undefeated streak. The veteran coach credits Lydon’s demeanor for the success he’s achieved at all three levels. “Brendan has great influence on an offense,’’ Lee emphasized. “He doesn’t get rattled. He’s calm, quietly confident and always on an even keel.’’
Lydon hasn’t experienced many close calls that would have ended his unbeaten streak. He ranks the three-point margin in the Super Bowl his closest call as a varsity player. As a freshman, North Attleboro gave Lydon his biggest scare—the Red Rocketeers lost by a slim 8-6 margin.
“We trailed, 6-0, after they scored in the second quarter,’’ Lydon recalled. “In the third quarter, we bounced back with a TD and I threw for a two-point conversion and an 8-6 lead. We stopped them on their next possession but we later fumbled. However, we stopped them again for the victory. Our jayvee team won by big margins most of the time. Our closest game as jayvees came against North Attleboro in a 21-7 outcome.’’
The ingredients that make Lydon a premier QB are his field awareness, passing accuracy, running ability (12 rushing TDs as a junior) and his calm nature in the pocket. “Where I want to improve next year is in leadership and my ability to read defenses more effectively,’’ Lydon said.
His ability to control a game was obvious against Reading. Lydon threw a 17-yard TD pass to Ethan Dunne for KP’s first touchdown. Lydon then ran two yards for the Warriors’ second score and his 65-yard TD pass to tight end Brett Mazur on a corner route was the clinching tally. “What I try to do is overcome adverse situations and the best way to achieve that is by staying calm,’’ he noted. “I try to set the tone. If I show that I’m nervous, then my teammates will feel that way, too.’’
Lee gives Lydon lots of credit for what he calls an ability “to fly under the radar.’’ The coach said that when opponents prepare to stop KP, they focus on the Warriors’ running backs. And, that’s when Lydon resorts to other options.
“Our running backs played a huge role for us,’’ Lydon emphasized. “Although Sean Garrity played only four games before tearing his ACL, he was quick and fast. Shane Frommer is a downhill runner with speed, Giovanni Fernandez is a big power back and Alex Olson is our fullback who can go for the tough yards.’’
Lydon also is quick to credit his offensive line as a crucial factor in KP’s bowl triumph. “Guys like Carl Sanuth at center, Paul Macrina and Cam Gately at the guard slots and tackles Dan Loewen and Nate Gudas deserve so much credit for their blocking,’’ Lydon said. “Also, our captains are great leaders — Macrina, Loewen, Mazur, and John DeLuca, who played linebacker, wide receiver and running back.’’
Lee also is high on Lydon’s list of prime contributors for KP’s success. “A good guy’’ is the way Lydon describes the veteran mentor. “Coach Lee cares about his players and he loves to develop game plans,’’ said Lydon. “He’s a great motivator.’’
Lydon, who started his football career in Pop Warner ball at the age of nine, has been a lineman, linebacker, quarterback and running back during his tenure in youth football. Quarterback, however, is where he’s most comfortable. His 34-game win streak is a testament to his comfort level.
Next year, Lydon hopes to keep the streak alive but, more importantly, he wants to make it two Super Bowl titles in a row. “It’s a realistic goal to win two straight because we’ve got a lot of players returning,’’ he noted.
And, one of them is Brendan Lydon, who just happened to put his best effort on display at Gillette Stadium on Dec. 3, 2016, a day KP football fans will long remember as their date with destiny.