After three weeks of the Southern Aroostook-Woodstock Youth Football season, the Houlton Band of Maliseets’ squad is now the only remaining undefeated team after a 32-0 victory at Maliseet Field on Sunday over the JazzSports Jazz.
Photograph courtesy of Ken Holck
TACKLED – Keegan Gray, center, of the HBMI Bucks is tackled by Lucas Flewelling, right, of the JazzSports Jazz during last week’s Southern Aroostook-Woodstock games held at Maliseet Field. The Bucks are the only remaining unbeaten team, as they overtook the Jazzmen, 32-0.
HB Aaron Eastman of Littleton got the scoring parade started immediately for the Bucks with a 60-yard return for a touchdown off the opening kickoff. HB Joel Redman of Littleton also scored on a six-yard run in the first quarter, and Eastman converted to give the Bucks a 14-0 early lead. Consecutive touchdown runs of 12 yards and 13 yards by QB Keighan Robichaud-Griffin of Mars Hill in the second quarter iced the win for the Bucks as they improved to 3-0.
Anthony Mazzacco of Hodgdon picked off his third pass of the season in the fourth quarter, but Jazz LB Lucas Flewelling of Houlton returned the favor, and nearly scored on the return, before a holding penalty placed the ball out of scoring range.
The Jazz moved the ball well between the 20s, but continually self-destructed in the red zone. They were also rusty from lack of practice and had numerous procedure calls against them all afternoon, which stymied drives. Running back James Grant rushed for over 100 yards, but he was the focal point of the Bucks defense all afternoon, as the Jazz fall to 2-1 on the season.
In the second game on Sunday, the VIP Roadrunners (2-1) took a convincing 27-0 win against the L.G. Wilson Spartans (0-3).
RB Sam Gray of Northampton was the catalyst early on for the Roadrunners, as he scored on an eight-yard run, which proved to be the only scoring of the first half. With the score stuck as 6-0 midway through the third quarter, Gray struck pay dirt again from four yards out, and Brandon Pickel of Millville rushed in the conversion for a 13-0 lead.
The Spartan defense, led by lineman Dan Toby and backs Sam Richardson and Corey Moorehead began to finally give way in the fourth quarter, as Pickel scored twice — on a 29-yard run and a seven-yard run — and successfully rushed in both conversion points to seal the victory.
The fourth games of the season will be played at Connell Park in Woodstock on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. Atlantic time. The Roadrunners will face the Jazzmen in the first game, followed immediately by the Spartans and Bucks.
The teams return to the U.S. playing on Friday, Sept. 28, when the first “Under the Lights” games of the season begin at 3 p.m. (U.S. time) at the Houlton baseball field. The SAW games will serve as preliminaries to the Aroostook Football League (high school) game between Houlton and Presque Isle at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is free.
Photograph courtesy of Ken Holck
DOWNED – VIP Roadrunner Sam Gray is downed by L.G. Wilson Motor Sports Corey Moorehead during last Saturday’s games held at the Maliseet Field in Littleton.
Photograph courtesy of Ken Holck
TOUCHDOWN – Keighan Robichaud-Griffin of the Bucks crosses the end line for a touchdown.
CATCH – The Spartans Corey Moorehead catches the ball defended by the Roadrunners’ Devin McLaughlin.
