The Houlton High School varsity football team led 12-0 at halftime in their debut in Orono last Friday night. However, the Shiretowners could not hang on to the lead and eventually lost, 28-12, to their Little 10 Conference opponent.
“I think we played very well on the road in our season LTC opening game,” said Houlton coach Brian Reynolds. “We had a great welcome from Orono as they recognized this being our first LTC contest before the game began.”
With nerves on edge in their first countable appearance, Reynolds asked his team to play “smart, with intensity so we had no regrets.”
Jake Drew scored two touchdowns in the first half to carry Houlton.
On Houlton’s first touchdown play, they started from their own 34-yard line, facing a three-and-39. However, the Shires capitalized on consecutive 15-yard penalties and a personal foul to take a first down. Drew then took a toss on the left side, cut back to the right and dove into the end zone for a 6-0 lead with 5:46 to play in the half.
On Drew’s second touchdown, he took a pitch to the left, meeting onrushing tacklers, which he muscled through to the middle of the field. He broke a tackle and scampered down the right side into the end zone for a 12-0 Houlton lead with 1:07 left in the half.
“He also had a 66-yard touchdown run called back with 50 seconds to go in the first half that might have put Orono away early,” said Reynolds.
Drew, a senior, ran 22 times for 187 yards in the game.
“He had a huge offensive game for us,” Reynolds added.
Also showing streaks of offensive potential were Nick Botting, who carried 13 times for 59 yards and wing back Austin Brown, who ran for a couple of long gains.
For the first half, Houlton looked strong, but according to their coach, they had trouble keeping it together in the third quarter of the game.
“We need to focus on a complete four-quarter effort the rest of the season,” Reynolds explained. “Orono stopped trying to pass as much in the second half and switched predominantly to their historic ‘T’ offense. They ran it well, but the biggest problem we had was the lack of stamina.
“I felt that we gassed out, maybe it was an adrenalin dump coming out of the halftime break, but we seemed to regain our composure in the fourth,” he added.
Orono had run their “T” offense in the first half, but Houlton was coming up with defensive stops.
“Our defensive line was again a strong point for us anchored by Sabastian Walton, Gary Tucker and Tony Bonilla, but our linebackers need to step it up,” said Reynolds. “We had a good effort from our defensive backfield led by Garret Ring, who had an interception, Jacob Fox and Brown.”
“Defending the ‘T’ is about defensive responsibility,” said Reynolds. “Given the fact that we were tired to open the third, we had a tough time keeping our focus and stopping it.”
That is when Orono regained the momentum in the game, as they scored three times in the third and added another touchdown at the start of the fourth quarter.
Orono’s Matt Fowler (12 carries, 77 yards) ran for a 33-yard touchdown, with a conversion rush, followed by a Tom Lucy (8 carries, 60 yards) five-yard carry to the end zone, as Orono went ahead 14-12.
Fowler ran another four-yard conversion and Orono had a conversion rush, while Keenan Collett capped the scoring from two yards out after Orono tackled Houlton’s punter for a loss on a botched punt attempt.
“We know we had a hand in beating ourselves as penalties were a problem along with a couple of dropped passes,” Reynolds noted. “Orono is a historically strong program so it was nice to compete with them. But, we certainly do not want to sit back all season and just be happy to be here. There is enough talent and leadership on this team for us to be winning football games.”
The Shiretowners are facing a couple of injuries to junior running back Josh Upton, who should be back this week, and freshman Daniel McNally, who suffered a thumb injury. It is unknown at this time when McNally may return to the squad.
“We are coming into Friday’s game fairly healthy,” said Reynolds.
The first Houlton High School varsity home game is Friday night at 7 p.m. against Washington Academy at the Maliseet Field. Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for students and senior citizens.
“Washington Academy brings a diversified offense to town and it is going to be a challenge to stop,” said Reynolds. “They have a couple bruising runners in Collin Pineo and Ellic Smith, along with Jared Fox, who brings a strong-armed passing game to defend.
“They also have arguably one of the best lineman in the LTC in Dakota Wright,” he added. “It’s going to be a big challenge, but I think if we can bring our offensive game and mix it up a bit, we should be OK.”
Reynolds also noted that good special teams play is a must and Houlton’s defense has to be “stout” as it was against Orono for three quarters.
“We need a full four-quarter effort,” he said. “We need to be more consistent. We have improved every game and I hope we can continue to do that once again this week.”
