Flood makes difference for Cougars
By Justin Feil, Assistant Sports Editor
Brian Flood knew that his kicking leg would benefit the Montgomery High School football team, and the Cougars junior also wanted to bring his defensive skills this season.
”I hope so,” Flood said. “Any way I can help my team.”
After rotating in at cornerback in Montgomery’s first game of the year — a loss to Ridge — Flood played so well that he couldn’t be taken off the field in the Cougars’ second game.
”He was purely a kicker last year,” said MHS head coach Zoran Milich. “We rotated him at defense every other series against Ridge. This game, he was like a spark. He was playing well. I didn’t want to mess it up. We rolled with him. He came up with those interceptions and we stuck with him.”
It was a good thing as the Cougars needed all of Flood’s contributions. He was a perfect 5-for-5 on extra points, and his 28-yard field goal ended up being the winning points in a 38-35 win over North Hunterdon last Friday. For good measure, he intercepted two passes to seal the victory.
”When we were reeling on defense and needed a big play,” Milich said, “he came up with it — twice.”
The win enabled the Cougars to even their record at 1-1 going into Saturday’s game at Plainfield and to gain some much-needed momentum. Flood was just happy to share a role in the win.
”I think we needed this win a whole lot,” Flood said. “As a community, everyone was down and a lot of people counted us out. I thought it was really good for the morale of this team to get the win.”
Brian Flood is the Princeton Packet Athlete of the Week.
Flood’s kicking contributions were expected, but his defensive plays made the difference. He is “5-foot-6 on a good day,” said Milich, and he routinely is matched up on taller receivers.
”I try not to think about it during the game,” Flood said. “I try to play bigger than I am.”
He came up with the first interceptions of his high school career at critical points. MHS appeared to be cruising toward its first win. On the strength of Chris Chugunov and Mitch Chugunov’s big days, the Cougars were scoring at will. The Cougars jumped out to a 28-7 halftime lead, only to see North Hunterdon get within 28-20 by the end of the third quarter.
”They kept clawing back,” Flood said. “They got their starting quarterback back in and he lit a spark. It was good for us to hold them off and win the game.”
The Cougars might not have been able to do so if it wasn’t for Flood. With all the momentum going to North Hunterdon in its attempted comeback, he came up with his first pick.
”His first interception was huge,” Milich said. “We needed that. That changed the game. We needed someone to come up with a big play, and the shortest guy came up with it.”
Flood’s first interception came with North Hunterdon driving to potentially tie the score. He came down with it inside the Montgomery 10-yard line.
”My first thought was just to knock the ball down and do what I could,” Flood said. “When the ball was really close, I realized I had the opportunity to intercept it so I went for it.
”It was a huge moment,” he added. “There was a whole lot of energy put into me right after it. I was extremely excited.”
The Cougars still looked to be in great shape when Flood converted his first field goal of the season. He is perfect on seven extra points so far. His initial kick went through from 23 yards, but a penalty and long discussion forced him to think about it and move back 5 yards before converting it again to give MHS a 38-20 lead.
”I try not to think about (the delay) at all,” Flood said. “I went off and thought about my steps and my procedure and how I’m going to approach the ball.”
It ended up being the game-winning kick.
”At the time, I had no clue,” Flood said. “I just thought, make it, and make it easier for the defense and offense. After the game, I realized we won by three.”
Flood started kicking in eighth grade, and it helped him be a contributor last season as a sophomore. His return gives the Cougars more faith in their kicking game.
”I’m completely more confident,” Flood said. “My kickoffs got a lot better. It’s helping out with field position.”
This year, Flood wanted to help out more, and has the opportunity on defense. He has adjusted to his increased role.
”Rotating was a little tough,” he said of the first game. “I had to get myself mentally ready. Getting to start and consistently play was exciting. I was excited and happy about that.”
Rotating, though, did help him acclimate to the demands of playing in two of the three phases. Along with being vital to the special teams, he got to see the speed of the game defensively and how he could help.
North Hunterdon still had a final chance. They scored 15 points to pull within 38-35, and they had the ball and two final chances to throw it to the end zone. The first throw went out of bounds. The second Flood came down with between two receivers.
”When I saw the second one in the air, I knew I had to get it,” he said. “I didn’t want them to catch the ball and have an opportunity to score. I knew it was mine.”
It sealed the win, and sealed a huge game for Flood. While the Cougars expect a lot of Chris Chugunov, who delivered with 17-for-25 passing for 301 yards and three touchdowns, including three touchdowns to his brother Mitch, the sophomore who enjoyed a breakout game and 97 more receiving yards to Jabari Clemons, Flood’s defensive contributions were more of a surprise.
”The kid’s been doing a great job,” Milich said. “He’s a nice little weapon. He played a complete game.
”His two interceptions were big, especially the first one. They had momentum. There’s nine minutes left and it’s 28-20. Now they’re driving again. He picks off the ball at the 6 or 11. It was a big momentum turner. We were reeling. That was huge. Then we go on a long drive after that and scored and he kicked the field goal and we get up 38-20. Then he sealed the deal with second interception.”
Milich had considered rotating Flood on defense, if nothing else to help protect his top kicker. But after Friday’s display, he may never get Flood off the field.
”He’s a very good athlete,” Milich said. “He wanted to play defense this year. He was in the mix because he’s athletic. But he’s a heck of a kicker and you don’t want him to get hurt. The crowd was huge and he was doing well, so we rolled with it.”
Brian Flood was happy to help get the Cougars football team back on track, and happy to help any way he could.
Said Flood: “It’s a better feeling to know I have a bigger impact.”