HOULTON, Maine –– Student athletes from Hodgdon and Greater Houlton Christian Academy will be able to play football with the Houlton Shiretowners this fall.
The Maine Principals’ Association approved a cooperative agreement between the three schools Wednesday, July 26, according to Houlton Football coach Brian Reynolds.
As part of the cooperative guidelines, Houlton will remain in the Little Ten Conference and also stay in Class D. Coach Reynolds anticipates three players from Hodgdon and two from GHCA will be joining the Shiretowners this fall, but more could turn out once practicing begins in earnest next month.
In addition, young football players spent three days learning the ropes of the sport as the second annual Shiretown Football Clinic was held from Monday, July 24 to Wednesday, July 26 at the Maliseet Sports complex. About 45 youths from grades three through 12 participated in the camp this year.
Those numbers are up slightly from last year, the coach said.
Houlton’s Seth Holston, left, rips the ball away from a Stearns player during a July 26 seven-on-seven scrimmage at the Maliseet Sports Complex in Houlton. (Joseph Cyr)
The program also received a boost from a former NFL player as Daren Stone joined the coaching staff for the three-day event. Stone played college football at the University of Maine and was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL Draft.
He was cut by the Falcons during the 2007 pre-season, but quickly signed on with the Dallas Cowboys before he was released. He was then signed by the Baltimore Ravens, which became his third team in just one season.
On that team, Stone played alongside NFL superstars Ray Lewis, Bart Scott and Terrell Suggs for head coach John Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Rex Ryan. The Ravens advanced to the AFC Championship, falling to eventual Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers.
Coach Reynolds said the connection was made with Stone by Houlton’s assistant coach Jon Solomon. “Jon knew Darren was living in the County last year, so he reached out to him and he attended our Stearns game,” Reynolds said. “In the off-season meeting, he made it known that he was interested in helping out with the team this year. The first step was coming to the camp last week. He is planning on coaching with us this season.”
