It finally happened last Saturday, as Windham went into Boulos Stadium and laid the hammer down on the Stags. It was the first time the Stags had lost at home in the regular season since October 25, 2008 against a Jamie Ross-led Deering squad. It moved the Eagles into the top spot in the Eastern A Crabtrees, but there’s one thing it didn’t do: end the season.
Windham makes the long trek up to Bangor this Friday night to face the unbeaten Rams, who came from behind to kennel the Bulldogs in Portland on Friday night. Many a team has struggled to shake the ride off once arriving in Bangor, including last year’s Portland squad, who was played quite close by Bangor before playmakers pulled it away at the end. As great as the win against Cheverus was, it gets muted quick if you lose to Bangor on the road. Oh, and sorry Edward Little. You get to be the team an angry Cheverus team gets to face this week.
Speaking of EL, Hunter Martin was very impressive in Saturday’s 14-7 loss to Oxford Hill. Shifty, with great balance, he was a force on special teams and out of the backfield, with over 200 total yards. One of the few highlights for an EL team struggling with injuries and youth.
On the Oxford Hills side, Matt Smith (who did not star in Doctor Who, that’s the other Matt Smith), is starting to look more comfortable in Mark Soehren’s read option offense. A 24 yard scamper for touchdown gave the Vikings a jolt when they needed it against an opponent they always seem to struggle with. The defense, which came up big all day, missed senior linebacker Zack Harris, who was out with concussion issues. For the Vikings to make the playoffs, the offense has to keep improving, and the defense needs a healthy Harris, who can also provide a spark on special teams.
Other thoughts
Shout out to the scoreboard operator in Belfast and Madison/Carrabec’s 82-60 epic on Friday night. Ice that hand down.
Leavitt looked like the late 80’s 49ers in a 52-6 win over Poland. It was an aerial attack of epic proportions, and served notice that even though it’s supposed to be a “down year” for Leavitt, they still have more than enough to defend their state title.