Cheverus outlasts stubborn Vikings

Looking at the final score of 38-0, you would think Cheverus had another typical easy game in Eastern A on Friday night. They didn’t.

“(Oxford Hills) is much improved over last year,” said Cheverus coach John Wolfgram after the game. “Their defense really shut us down in the first half.”

The Vikings defense couldn’t contain Cheverus forever, and a second quarter run by Justin Johnston of 53 yards put the Stags at the 3 yard line, and Joe Fitzpatrick scored his first of five touchdowns to make it 10-0 Cheverus.

“Our backs can be explosive,” said Coach Wolfgram, whose defense has yet to allow a touchdown this season. “That was a big run by Justin.”

The next series saw Cheverus drive to the Oxford Hills two yard line, and Fitzpatrick plunged in again to make it 17-0, and that was the score at the half.

“Our defense has been the strength of this team since I’ve been here,” said Oxford Hills coach Mark Soehren. “That continued tonight.”

The Vikings defense forced two interceptions of Isaac Dunn, one by Patrick Macro, who was the Vikings most valuable player on the night with his punting. Cheverus forced one turnover, a fumble by Vikings running back Malik Geiger on a kickoff return. The other statistical oddity: Oxford Hills had zero penalties on the night.

“Usually when you win the turnover and penalty battle, the score is a little different,” said Soehren, whose team falls to 1-2 on the year. “Cheverus is just a little quicker off the ball.”

Fitzpatrick added touchdown runs of 32 yards, 1 yard, and 67 yards in the second half to seal it up. Oxford Hills hosts winless Edward Little for homecoming next Saturday, while Cheverus, now 3-0, faces their first big test of the year, hosting Windham next Saturday.

First half audio replay of the WOXO broadcast here: http://goo.gl/UOwmW2

Second half audio replay of the WOXO broadcast here: http://goo.gl/P7S7rf

Matt Boutwell

About Matt Boutwell

Matt Boutwell is a morning radio host for Z105.5 FM in Auburn, the Voice of the Oxford Hills Vikings on WOXO 92.7 in Norway, and the Program Director for MBR Radio. A former high school athlete who realized he was better off talking about sports rather than playing them, he lives in Mechanic Falls with his family.