HOWLAND — The Cleary Law Knights of Houlton defended their 2006 Aroostook Football League title last Saturday in Howland, coming away with a 32-6 victory.
Photograph courtesy of the Aroostook Football League
THE SEASON KICKS-OFF – The Aroostook Football League kicked off its fifth season last weekend. The Southern Knights traveled to Howland and came away with a 32-6 victory. Playing for the varsity Southern Knights are, left, front row: Ryan Pickel, Ed Flint, Jesse DaEira, Brady Crawford, Anthony Verville, Daniel Coville and Caleb Black; back, John Smith, Justin Bither, Eric Lindsay, Brandon McGuire, John Sanders, Phil Brown and David Flint. The team is coached by Brian Reynolds, Richard Cleary and Joe Ewings.
The Knights were led on offense by receiver Brandon McGuire, who had two touchdowns — one receiving and one running — halfback Caleb Black, who led the Knights in rushing yards, and quarterback Quinn Harris whose first quarter touchdown run was the first score of the season for the Knights and staked them to a 6-0 lead, as the point after touchdown conversion attempt failed.
Knight tri-captain David Flint was injured early in the first quarter and was limited to defensive action the rest of the way but was still a big contributor. Flint had numerous big tackles and a fumble recovery for a 10-yard touchdown run early in the second stanza. Fullback Phil Brown pushed the ball over from the three-yard line for a successful PAT try.
The Knights led 13-0 after a lackluster early-game performance and there was cause for concern on the Cleary Law sideline. However, as if on cue, Flint then threw a HB option pass to McGuire for a score that pushed the Knights to a 19-0 bulge at the half, as the PAT attempt failed.
More dominating defense saw Flint notch an interception to start off the second half that he brought back 55 yards for a score, upping the Knight lead to 26-0, with the conversion try successful, as Brown again carried the ball over from the three- yard line. The Knights were up by four scores and they never looked back.
The boys from Houlton controlled the line of scrimmage the rest of the way behind the line play of Justin Ramsay, Eric Lindsay, Justin Bither and Ryan Pickle.
The Knights got strong defensive play from McGuire, who had numerous passes defensed, John Smith, Johnny Sanders and Jesse DaEira. Houlton would swap late touchdowns with Howland and head back to the Shiretown with a hard fought 32-6 win and a 1-0 record for the season.
The Cleary Law Knights continue their season this Saturday at 12:30 p.m. in Madawaska against the Time Warner Cable Mustangs.
The following week is the “Friday Night Lights” game in Houlton at the Community Park field, which will see the Knights battle the First Citizens Huskies of Caribou at 7p.m.
The Southern Aroostook and Woodstock Youth Football League teams play the preliminary games before the main event.
