Allen, Niang square off in NFL preseason game
New Canaan football coach Lou Marinelli has known Zach Allen and Lucas Niang since they were playing in the New Canaan youth program in the seventh grade.
On Friday, he’ll get to see his two former All-State linemen go head-to-head on the much bigger stage of the NFL.
The two former Ram teammates will be on opposite sides of the line when Allen’s Arizona Cardinals face Niang’s Kansas City Chiefs in a preseason game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. EST, Friday.
For Marinelli, it will be a “special” moment.
“I’ve known them both since they were in the seventh grade and then I watched them grow up, become All-State players and great college players,” Marinelli said. “Then both of them were lucky enough to get drafted and just to have them make an NFL team is great. Now, to have them go head to head? I’ll probably be the proudest
guy watching TV.”
Allen and Niang are former teammates and state championships with the New Canaan football program, with Allen graduating in 2014 and Niang graduating in 2015.
Allen, a defensive lineman, played at Boston College before being selected by Arizona in the third round (65th pick) of the 2019 NFL Draft.
A year later, Niang, an offensive lineman who played for TCU, was taken by the Kansas City Chiefs, also in the third round (96th pick).
Allen has played three years in the NFL and has 43 tackles, six tackles for a loss, and two sacks in 17 games. His highlight performance came during week 15 last season, when he led the Cards with 11
tackles and one sack in a win over Philadelphia.
“Zach is a really determined kid,” Marinelli said. “When he puts his mind to something, there’s not too much he can’t accomplish. He’s been that way since high school and he’s a very talented athlete, for sure.”
After being drafted last
spring, Niang opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID concerns. He’s ready to go this year and Marinelli is hopeful the former Ram could start on the Chief ’s O-line.
“Lucas is a technician,” Marinelli said. “He’s got the perfect prototype body for being an offensive lineman.
He’s learned some really good techniques at TCU. He’s worked very hard and it looks like he’s got a chance to earn a starting job.”
Given their positions, Allen and Niang could go head-to-head on some series Friday.
Marinelli is eager to see what both can do with their
NFL futures.
“They’re both great kids and they’re determined,” Marinelli said. “t’s great to see them when they come back and hear all of their stories.”