2 weeks Ago By Brian Fabry
There are a litany of famous football families that grew up playing high school football in Massachusetts. The Hasselbeck family tree with Don, Matt, Tim, and Nathaneal come to mind when referring to what the O’Connell family has come to love and embrace at Lincoln-Sudbury. Football is family.
Maybe not as famous as their Xaverian counterparts, the O’Connell’s are building their own quarterback legacy at Lincoln-Sudbury behind patriarch Seann O’Connell and his small stable of gridiron grinders. Think a dash of the Gronkowskis with boys-being-boys humor mixed in with the competitiveness of a Baker Mayfield under center, and you have yourself a perfect holiday quarterback cocktail at the O’Connell household. With the true head honcho, mom Michelle, keeping the chaos together in Sudbury, the years of Braden, Riley, and Kieran O’Connell trying to one-up each other has made every family dinner a championship event.
Seann stepped on the youth football field as a coach back in 2010. Fifteen years later, he will finally hang up the youth whistle to watch his youngest, Keiran, as the closing chapter begins for the O’Connell’s quarterback lineage. The brothers O’Connell do not agree on much as to who is better on the field or even the best candy bar, but the three siblings know exactly why they have been so successful in football and in life.
“He held us accountable and that is something I thank him for. My dad’s persistent dedication set a great example for us of how to work hard and serve others,” said Riley. “He was also crucial to my development as a student athlete and without him I would not have the study and practice habits that help me succeed.
” The football family faction extends past the halls of Lincoln-Sudbury as Braden, who is now 23, went on to play three seasons at Williams College while Riley, not surprisingly, continued to Williams as well, but only after breaking five passing records for the Warriors. Riley owns all-time single season passing records, all coming in 2021, for most completions (100), most yards (1,777) and most touchdowns passes (27). Riley’s career records include most yards with 3,641 and most touchdown passes with 47 from 2019-2021.
But Braden is not budging on who runs the quarterback room despite the clear statistical evidence to the contrary. Braden blazed the O’Connell path for the rest of them and made sure to mention Riley may own most interceptions for the Warriors as well. “We were all incredibly fortunate to spend a few hours with our dad every fall growing up — an unbelievable experience and created memories that go beyond the football field,” said Braden.
“I was fortunate to play with a lot of talented guys, so I didn’t have to throw the ball around much. But I will add that I had five playoff wins under center compared to Riley’s one.” Riley was not about to let that subtle pass sail over his head.
“As for Braden, the numbers speak for themselves at the college and high school level,” joked Riley. Braden was coached by the legendary Tom Lopez with his double-wing offense while Riley had the advantage of running a spread offense for head coach Jim Girard. When Kieran lines up under center it will be Justin McKay, in his second season as head coach in 2025.
Lopez, who spent an amazing 48 years on the sideline, glowed when asked about the contributions of the O’Connell family. “An extraordinary football family. They always did things for the team without being asked such as organizing team dinners and helping with fundraising,” Lopez said.
“Not only are their sons talented athletes, but they are outstanding young men. Great parents who raised great kids.” Both Braden and Riley were extremely successful under center.
Braden was 20-3 in his final two years as starter at Lincoln-Sudbury and Riley, who was 16-1, each own Gillette Stadium appearances in Super Bowl runs in 2017 and 2019, respectively. But here comes the final countdown as eighth-grader Kieran sets his sights on taking over the reins for coach McKay. Kieran now feels there might be a new sheriff in the O’Connell huddle and welcomes the challenge of continuing the quarterback heritage and debate.
“I’m for sure the best as I’ve been competing with my brothers my entire life, so I think that’s given me the edge,” said Kieran. “Now though I feel like I am in their shadows, however, I am quite different in many ways. They were good when they played, very good, but I’m going to be better.
” Kieran thanked his dad for being a significant role model and coach. McKay has worked for five years in the Warriors program with Coach Girard before taking over the lead role this season, spent time with Coach Lopez as part of the MHSFCA since 2016, and knows the trio of boys the best. McKay summed up the impact of a true family bond and what the O’Connell’s mean to the Lincoln-Sudbury football community.
“The importance of football to the O’Connell family has been evident in everything they have done at Lincoln-Sudbury. When we came in as a staff, we heard of how hard Braden had worked, and then to be able to spend three years watching the tireless effort that Riley put in — you knew it always meant just a little bit more,” said McKay. “It was clear that the hard-working values had been coached and instilled into them over the young days of growth and development, and it has paid off tremendously.
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