LINCOLN, Maine — Facing one of the toughest defenses it has seen thus far, the Houlton football team struggled to find its offensive rhythm Friday, falling to Mattanawcook Academy 28-6.
Both squads entered Friday night’s contest with unblemished 2-0 records, but it was Mattanawcook Academy who emerged unbeaten as Scott Jipson lead the scoring attack as he rumbled for 159 yards rushing for the Lynx.
After Trevor Sutherland, Jipson, and Ike Birtz scored for MA, Houlton quickly found itself in a 22-0 hole.
“MA jumped on us early, before we knew it a couple crazy plays turned into a 22-point deficit very early in the second quarter,” Houlton coach Brian Reynolds said. “Sometimes it’s hard to come back from that. It was one of those ‘Perfect Storm’ type of moments. Opening kick-off happens and then the next time you look up at the scoreboard a quarter is gone and you are down by three touchdowns and wonder what the heck just happened?”
Houlton’s Garrett Ring broke the scoring ice for the Shires as he took a short 5-yard pass from Zach Magliette and crossed the endzone, cutting the lead to 22-6. That scoring drive, however, proved to be the only time Houlton crossed the goalline.
“I’ll give the kids credit though, they played hard for the final three quarters and were basically even with a very good football team,” Reynolds said. “It definitely gives us something to build on. Physically we competed very well with them, they are a top notch program, we are definitely making strides.”
Austin Brown had 10 carries for 65 yards for Houlton, while teammate Josh Upton added seven carries for 15 yards.
Jared Fox completed seven of 19 passes for 63 yards and an interception. Magliette completed his one pass attempt for five yards and a touchdown. Nick Botting also completed one pass for 28 yards.
Ring had five catches for 94 yards and a touchdown, while Fox had one catch for four yards.
Turnovers and penalties plagued the Shires as the team committed three turnovers and had nine penalties for 80 yards.
Jacob Brown had two sacks for Houlton, while Upton and Josh Beaton each had one.
“I told the kids after the game that if we don’t block well and we don’t tackle well as a team we aren’t going to win football games,” the coach said. “We have to play better. We are struggling for consistency on both sides of the ball. Sure we are 2-1 but we still haven’t put forth a full 48 minute effort. Against a team like MA if you don’t match their intensity you lose 10 out of 10 times.”
Houlton 0 6 0 0 – 6
MA 14 8 6 – 28
