The fledgling County Renegades (0-1) of the Greater New England Youth Football League got a rude awakening to the league on the road in Union last Saturday. They looked overwhelmed, especially early on, after a 3.5-hour drive and playing on a wide field against a veteran team that dressed 44 athletes to the Renegades’ 22. The score was 14-0 after one quarter, 21-0 at the half, and 28-0 in the fourth quarter before the Renegades scored
their first touchdown of the year on a pretty 15-yard pass from quarterback Devon Targonski (Hodgdon) to wide receiver Gavin Russell (Katahdin.) The two-point conversion was initially good by reserve running back Sam Geary (GHCA) but was called back on a holding penalty.
“We need to get back to the basics” said head coach Steve Martin. “We’re big, but we haven’t yet learned how to fully take advantage of that advantage. Hats off to those kids down on the Coast. They’ve obviously worked very hard on their blocking schemes, and showed us what it is going to take to be successful in this league.”
From almost the outset, it was obvious that the Renegades’ lack of depth and experience was a major impediment. Their big linemen were asked to play “iron man” (i.e. both offense and defense) and they were simply not able to keep up with the multiple fresh legs of the Panthers squad. The Panthers also used a more regulation 53-yard wide varsity field, whereas the Renegades play on a 40-yard surface at McIntyre Field in Hodgdon.
“We just couldn’t keep up with their speed to the outside,” added defensive coordinator, Wayne England. “We are going to have to adjust to the speed that some of these GNYFL teams possess.”
The Renegades also had multiple substitution problems, and need to iron out that part of their game before heading on the road versus Caribou next week.
“We only have about six or seven guys who have ever stepped on a football field before,” said Martin. “We are learning and growing together as a team. We are going to be just fine once we settle down, and get some of the fine points of how to play this game worked out.”
The Renegades were led on offense by freshman running back Jed Grant (nine carries for 30 yards, GHCA), reserve full back Cody Brownlee (three carries for 22 yards, Katahdin) and Russell (four catches for 60 yards and a TD, Katahdin.)
Quarterback Dakota Reinhardt (Katahdin) went 0-3 and was sacked once. Targonski went five of eight for 83 yards with the TD, but both quarterbacks were harassed all day and each was sacked once and knocked around multiple times.
Defensively, the Renegades were led by line backer/defensive end Tristan Larson of Hodgdon and linebacker Jed Grant (nine tackles each,) outside line backer Jamin Cheney of Woodstock (seven tackles,) and monster back Dakota Reinhardt (six tackles.) Junior wide receiver/kicker Shiloh Bond of Hodgdon gave the team decent field position most of the day with some very nice kickoff returns, and also contributed with a 23-yard grab on offense. Fourtunately, the team suffered only one turnover — a lost fumble by Targonski.
“Blocking schemes take time and experience,” said line coach Randy Challoux, “We’re going to have to step up our understanding of how to handle the blitz. We are young and improving each week, though.”
The Renegades are back to the drawing board this week before traveling to Sincock Field in Caribou for a 2 p.m. tilt this Saturday. After that contest, they are on a three-game home stand at McIntyre Field, starting with Saturday, Sept. 21. All game times are 2 p.m.
“Come out and support these boys,” said coach Martin. “We may not be a polished product yet, but the kids usually give 110 percent and will only get better with time.”
GNYFL Standings:
W-L Team PF PA
1-0 Milo 34-0
1-0 Medomak Valley 28-6
1-0 Central Maine 21-18
0-1 Madawaska 18-21
0-1 Renegades 6-28
0-1 Caribou 0-34
