Dae’Sean Graves etched his name into Connecticut high school football history on Friday night, surpassing East Catholic’s Joey Montalvo to claim the state’s career receptions record. The Holy Cross Crusaders star finished the contest with seven catches for 110 yards, bringing his career total to 228, five more than the previous benchmark of 226. Graves did not let the milestone distract him from the task at hand, maintaining intense focus on the next play even as the public address system announced his achievement. “It was definitely good. At the time, I was really focused on the game,” Graves stated, emphasizing that his primary goal was completing the contest rather than celebrating the statistical feat.
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The path to the record was not without atmospheric challenges, as dense fog rolled into Woodland High School during the first half, forcing officials to rely on a foghorn and keeping Holy Cross scoreless. However, the Crusaders exploded for 38 unanswered points in the second half to secure a decisive 38-14 victory over Woodland. Graves’ performance was pivotal in this turnaround, showcasing his elite route-running ability and chemistry with the quarterback. This win solidifies Holy Cross’ position in the New England Prep League while Graves continues to rack up historic numbers.
Graves’ dominance in the receiving corps extends beyond total catches, as he previously broke the state record for career touchdown receptions on October 23, surpassing Southington’s Alex Jamele with 51 scores. Now a committed UConn Huskies recruit, Graves is on pace to leave an indelible mark on Connecticut football before his high school career concludes. His ability to combine volume with scoring efficiency has set a new standard for future generations of players in the state, proving that his statistical achievements are backed by tangible on-field impact.
Source: Yahoo Sports
