HOULTON, Maine — The Houlton football team is entering its third season as an official varsity sport in the Maine Principals’ Association, and veteran head coach Brian Reynolds hopes the third time’s the charm for securing that elusive first playoff victory.
Football returned to Houlton five years ago, but the first two seasons the team played as a club sport before officially becoming a varsity sport in 2014. Reynolds has served as the Shires coach since football was resurrected and also served as a peewee coach prior to his high school coaching career.
Houlton lost on the road to Mt. View in the quarterfinals of the Little Ten Conference playoffs last year.
“I think we are going to continue to improve as we have each year we have been in the MPA,” Reynolds said. “We are looking to build on our 4 — 4 record and playoff appearance from a year ago. We have a good returning core and should reach our goal of making the playoffs for a second straight year.”
If the Shires are to reach that goal, they must do so without the services of several key players including wide receiver/strong safety Garrett Ring; running back/linebacker Josh Upton; defensive end Jacob Brown; and lineman Gary Tucker, who all graduated last season.
Fortunately the team has a number of returning athletes, including a bundle of talented seniors, who have the size and speed to see Houlton achieve success.
Among those on the roster (see full roster in sidebar), who will be called upon to lead the Shires this season are seniors Jared Fox, the team’s starting quarterback and outside linebacker; Austin Brown, running back/strong safety; Nick Botting, fullback/middle linebacker; Jacob Fox, wide receiver/linebacker; and juniors Damon Reynolds, offensive guard/defensive tackle; Seth Holston, running back/free safety; Daniel McNally, wide receiver/cornerback; and Zack Hagan, tight end/defensive end.
“We have a big athletic line and plenty of speed at the WR and RB positions,” coach Reynolds said. “We are looking to improve on defense. We need to shore up the defense and work on our tackling. It seems to be improving if our performance in our pre≠season scrimmage with Bucksport and exhibition game with John Bapst are any indication.”
Assisting coach Reynolds are Vernon Upton, Andy Hay, Mike Carlos and Jon Solomon. Upton, Hay and Carlos were with the program last year, while Solomon, a native of Arlington, Massachusetts, joins the club this year. Solomon played at the University of Maine at Orono and played three years of semi-professional football before getting into education. He has served as a coach at both Bucksport and Hampden Academy.
Houlton opens its season 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016 at Dexter.
