Syracuse defensive back Davien Kerr, true freshman from Bloomfield, was early to rise and in the right place at the right time last Saturday.
Kerr got his chance to play because a teammate was late for a 6:30 a.m. meeting, and got his first career interception, wrestling the ball away from Cal-Berkley’s Nyziah Hunter in the first quarter, one of a series of defensive takeaways that helped the Orange defeat Cal 33-25.
Syracuse (7-3) plays visiting UConn (7-3) on Saturday at noon.
Kerr brothers have a day as Bloomfield rolls past Cromwell/Portland for a Class S title
“Honestly, he wasn’t going to start,” coach Fran Brown told reporters after the game. “There was another kid going to start. I won’t say his name. Everyone had to be in the building (Thursday at 6:30) and he didn’t get there until 6:54, so his butt didn’t start. He didn’t even play. … Now, look at Davien Kerr, he’s going to be a superstar.”
Brown even referenced Wally Pipp, the baseball player who missed a game, facilitating Lou Gehrig to start his famous streak of 2,130 games played for the Yankees.
Syracuse needed a starter to replace injured Jayden Bellamy. Kerr showed up and played 62 snaps on defense, and he held Hunter to three catches for 42 yards. He has been working at the position the last several weeks. He has five tackles, four solo.
Cloe Poisson
Bloomfield’s Davien Kerr eludes Ansonia’s Tracey Ray in the ClAC Class S football championship game at Arute Field, New Britain, Conn., December 10, 2022. Ansonia won, 28-21. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant
“I really haven’t played DB my whole life,” Kerr said. “I’ve played wide receiver my whole life.”
Kerr’s identical twin brother, Davion, who is playing a post-grad season at St. Thomas More, will join him at Syracuse next season. A year ago, they combined to score five touchdowns as Bloomfield defeated Cromwell/Portland 42-20 for the CIAC Class S championship at Rentschler Field. Davien, at wide receiver, had TD catches of 10 and 24 yards as the Warhawks avenged a loss in the 2022 state championship game.
Kerr twins bring more than a sibling rivalry and are a key to Bloomfield football’s success
