EAST HARTFORD - Team Connecticut needed a spark late in the second quarter of the 10th -annual Governors’ Cup, and it came from a pair of Stratford kids.

With the game tied at 7, Stratford grad Octavias McKoy returned a kickoff 64 years, and two plays later, Bunnell receiver Michael Easley caught a 34-yard pass in the corner of the end zone to regain the lead.

And Connecticut would not look back, as it rolled to a 31-10 win over neighboring Rhode Island at Rentschler Field.

McKoy, who will play at Garden City Community College, and Easley, who is heading to Central Connecticut, were not the only stars from Fairfield County to shine.

• Offensive guards Kyle Duncan (New Canaan) and Dewayne Guscott helped anchor an offensive line that did not allow a sack, and paved the way for a phenomenal rushing attack led by Sacred Heart University-bound Tim McNeil (Ledyard).
• Mike Escobar (Danbury) had a few defended passes, and one coach mentioned that the Southern Connecticut-bound corner was arguably the top defensive player for Connecticut.
• Though he doesn’t live in Fairfield County (but plays for an SWC team), Pomperaug lineman Matt Walker may have been the defensive star of the game. He forced a fumble that led to Shelton’s Geoff Schultz’s 20-yard touchdown in the third quarter, and recovered a fumble that led to Connecticut’s opening score.

Bridgeport Central’s Trevardo Williams started for Connecticut as a defensive end on the field he will be playing on regularly starting in 2009. Williams has signed a letter of intent to play for UConn, but will do a year at Canterbury School first.

“It’s just great to be a part of this win,” Williams said. “I had some great teammates, some great coaches, and they all deserve some credit. I’m looking forward to the chance to play here again.”

Escobar played sparingly on defense as a senior, since he moved to the Hatters’ starting quarterback role, but is slated to play defense at Southern.

“I feel these two weeks (of practice) really helped me get ready for college ball,” Escobar. “Getting to play in this game will hopefully give me an advantage at Southern.”

And for Duncan, who will play at Division III Bowdoin, it was a chance to play in a Division I facility.

“I’m not going to get a chance to play in a stadium like this,” Duncan said. “I’m glad I got to, and that we beat up on Rhode Island.”

Other locals on the Connecticut roster included:

• Josh Maignon, a Stamford receiver who will be teammates with Guscott at Lackawanna College.
• Jonathan Jackson, Bunnell, who has a slight MCL injury that kept him sidelined. He will be a part of New Haven’s revived team in 2009.
• Andrew Mastrioni, Pomperaug, who will play at Western New England
• Torrey Mack, Stratford, the Virginia-bound star who saw a few snaps at running back.
• Mike Mainiero, Shelton, who anchored the Connecticut defensive line. He will attend Curry.
• Timothy Reece, Central, a late edition to the roster who will play at American International.

See photos from the 2008 Governors’ Cup here.