HOULTON, Maine — If the way Houlton started its football season is any indication, the Shires could be an explosive squad this year.
Senior Seth Holston took back the opening kick for a touchdown Friday evening, setting the tone for the Shires’ matchup with Stearns at the Maliseet Sports Complex. The talented running back found a seam in the Stearns’ defense and rumbled down the sidelines giving Houlton an early 6-0 lead it would never relinquish.
The Shires went on to post the shutout over Stearns, 30-0, to open the season with a victory. The win is believed to be the first shutout Houlton has secured since becoming a full-fledged varsity team four years ago.
Houlton coach Brian Reynolds, left, talks to his son, quarterback Noah Reynolds, about which play they will run during Friday night’s football game against Stearns.
(Joseph Cyr)
“I thought we played well and the kids worked on and fixed many of the problems we had versus Waterville,” Houlton coach Brian Reynolds said. “They worked hard in practice and followed our game plan, which was to wear Stearns down in the fourth quarter. We still made too many mistakes, but it was a step in the right direction.”
Houlton ran all over Stearns, amassing 357 yards on 40 carries. Holston had a strong night, finishing with 171 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown. Sophomore Ethan Carter also had a strong ground game with 113 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown. Senior Dan McNally added 70 yards on 9 rushes and a score.
Defensively, Houlton collected a safety as senior Damon Reynolds tackled a Stearns player in the endzone in the first quarter of Friday’s game. The Shires also had three interceptions as Holston, McNally and Noah Reynolds each picked off Stearns quarterback Bennett Dunstan.
“Getting our first varsity shut out since the rebirth of our program was huge for us,” coach Reynolds added. “We will continue to work to get better each day and hope to improve upon the performance next Friday night in Orono.”
