THORNDIKE, Maine — Making the postseason in just the team’s second year of eligibility was a huge step forward for the Houlton football team.
The Shires drew the tough card of facing Mt. View Oct. 30 in a Class D North quarterfinal. The Shires fell 43-6. The Mustangs (7-2) will travel to Lincoln next weekend for a semifinal against Mattanawcook Academy. Houlton finished at 4-5.
“We were just a step behind Mt. View pretty much all day long,” Houlton coach Brian Reynolds said. “I was extremely proud of the effort the kids put forth; 43-6 sounds like we took a beating but the kids left it all on the field and never stopped competing. We may have lost on the scoreboard but I can guarantee that Mt. View knows they were in a ballgame. We are a very physical football team and we are tough to play against. The kids pride themselves on that.”
Going into the game, Reynolds said he felt like the Shires had devised a sound game plan. “The coaches and I worked on it all week and I thought going in that we had a shot at pulling the upset, but it wasn’t to be,” he said. “Mt. View did a heck of a job preparing for us and it really showed on the field. They are a very athletic group and they are extremely good at what they do.”
Tyler Ripley had 132 yards on 17 carries to spark the Mustangs. Ripley had touchdown runs of 20 yards and 4 yards as he rushed for his ninth consecutive game of over 100 yards.
Jack Axsom chipped in with 12 carries for 110 of the team’s total 379 yards on the ground. Devin Davis added a 10-yard TD run. Both Ripley and Davis caught scoring passes from Cole Hannan.
Hannon connected with Ripley for a touchdown and two-point conversion. Davis hauled in a 13-yard TD pass.
Gavin Simpson opened the scoring with an 81-yard punt return. Kicker Alex Bennett was a perfect 6 for 6 on PATs.
The Mustang defense held the Shiretowners to 124 yards total offense. Austin Brown scored the lone Houlton touchdown on a kickoff return in the first quarter.
“I think making the playoffs in only our second year competing in MPA football is huge,” Reynolds said. “It says a lot about our kids and the school. Winning any games in the first couple years in a sport like football is quite an accomplishment let alone qualifying for the playoffs. A 4-4 record may not seem like much to some, but football is a different sport where experience is just as important as athleticism. Our kids were rewarded for their hard work on and off the field and they should hold their heads high and be very proud of themselves.”
Bangor Daily News sports editor Joe McLaughlin contributed to this article.
