Houlton Knights remain undefeated; play Huskies Saturday for top spot in AFL

The Houlton Knights will play the Caribou Huskies (3-1) on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Caribou for an all-important contest for first place in the Aroostook Football League.
With brilliant 58 degree sunshine, the lined field was a dazzling green. A brisk crosswind of fresh October air blew over the elevated site of battle near the St. John River in Madawaska. Many loyal Knight fans who journeyed north picked out their vantage points bundled in blankets, sipping hot cocoa or apple cider. This was truly football weather.
Five inches of rain had fallen earlier in the week. Unseen standing water lay just below the two-inch cut of lush grass. This was going to be a game to capture the heart of every boy from 7 to 70 — goin’ muddin’ — Knight style.
In warmups, the sharp crack of pads and helmets colliding culminated in anti-climatic muffled sloppy thuds of saturated turf. This game would be trench warfare.
Knight head coach Brian Reynolds had reminded his players at Thursday’s practice that Madawaska “had their number” for several years. Playing on a spongy surface, the Knights answered the call and trounced the Mustangs, 58-0 for their third straight shutout of the season.
The difference in this contest was a patient strategy of coach Reynolds and his team’s near perfect execution, which gave the Knights a tenuous 12-0 lead at the end of the first against a game opponent.
The Knights ground it out — never putting the ball into the strong gusty air. Quarterback Quinn Harris opened the scoring with a one yard sneak in the first quarter.
The Knights dodged a bullet when Madawaska completed a 50-yard desperation bomb to the Houlton one yard line in the second quarter in an attempt to tie the game. Several plays later, the threat ended with an improbable fumble recovery by Knight Eddie Flint at the goal line. After a long series of punishing running plays by the Houlton ball carriers, Flint (13 carries, 91 yards) fittingly plunged in for the second score.
With the Knights receiving the second half kickoff, the ground attack went to work with Caleb Black (19 carries, 141 yards) scoring from three yards. Mike Ring followed up with a six-yard run to the corner of the end zone.
Not to be outdone, the defense came up strong when Aaron Eastman sacked the Mustang quarterback for a third down seven-yard loss. On the next play deep in Madawaska territory, Tim Chase (forced fumble, sack and fumble recovery) blocked the Mustang punt and lineman Josh McNinch recovered the ball for a touchdown.
At the end of the third quarter the score was 32-0 Knights.
In the fourth quarter, the roof caved in on the Mustangs, as Harris (three interceptions) returned an interception 32 yards for a score. The Knights could do no wrong, according to assistant coach Andy Hay, as they scored on the next three possessions. Flint sprinted for a 25-yard touchdown, followed by Ring with his second on an eight-yard ramble to pay dirt. Rookie Sal Cloukey broke three tackles and scored a 35-yard tally to end it.
The Knights’ offense and defense provided plenty of scoring for the 4-0 Knights, who compiled 396 yards of offense compared to 45 yards by the Mustangs.
“The footing was tricky today, but we kept them bottled up pretty much,” said Brian Tuttle and Dan Coville, defensive heroes at Milo.
“This was a real test for the team today under adverse field conditions,” said coach Reynolds. “We still need to work on a few things. Obviously, we got some breaks early and capitalized on them. Everyone contributed. I was happy with our line play on both sides of the ball. They out-muscled Madawaska. They made it happen today.”
Coach John Smith’s line did man-handle the Mustang line, forcing many errors and creating opportunities.
“The kids worked hard under the circumstances and they did very well,” said Smith.
Junior varsity Knights
In the junior varsity game against the Mustangs, Hay said the younger Knights (3-0) played “long ball” in an unusual way. Strong individual efforts allowed the junior varsity Knights to swamp Madawaska, 38-12.
This was the first time the junior varsity Knights had defeated the JV Mustangs in their five-year history.
Quarterback Hunter Hanning, who likes to throw, ran 45 yards for the first score. Speedster Billy Livezey streaked 55 yards to the end zone and again with a 64 yarder at the end of the game.
The defense was strong, said Hay. Cornerback Cyrus Brooker had an interception and bolted 15 yards for a score. Linebacker Cloukey also had a pick of an errant pass and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown. Remember Hanning? He intercepted a pass at the 18 and trotted in for another touchdown.
“The kids are getting plenty of game experience, some even at the varsity level,” said Reynolds. “We are building a program with big participation numbers … the key to success in football.”
Hay added, “They are learning the system. It will pay big dividends in the future for football in Houlton.”