Morris wins Knights’ television draw

    The Houlton Knights, a high school aged football team in the Aroostook Football League, began a fund-raising effort to purchase new equipment.
    They started raffling tickets after Thanksgiving Day for a LG 50-inch plasma screen television donated by Rent-A-Center.

Contributed photograph
WINNER – Dale Morris, right, was the winner of a LG 50-inch plasma screen television donated by Rent-A-Center and raffled off by the Houlton Knights. The drawing was held on Christmas Eve. Presenting the television at Cleary Law Office is Richard Cleary, assistant coach of the Knights and vice president of the Aroostook Football League.
    Dale Morris, Oakfield town manager, said he saw the high school football players standing in the cold on the day before Christmas Eve. He felt sympathy for them so he bought a raffle ticket for $5. His act of kindness resulted in a special Christmas gift, as his name was drawn on Christmas Eve for the 50-inch television. He was also the winner of a $50 gift certificate to Rent-A-Center, an Aroostook Football League program and AFL hat.
    Jacob McGuffin, a junior varsity player, sold the winning ticket. The team raised approximately $2,500 for the purchase of equipment for the players.
    The Aroostook Football League has been in existence for seven years and the Houlton area Knights joined the league three years ago.  The Knights have won a championship, reached another and have been in the playoffs every year during that time.  In the 2008 season, the Knights had a varsity and junior varsity team and 28 high school students participated in the program.
    The Knights are planning other fund-raisers for the coming year including another Christmas Eve drawing. They are looking forward to the upcoming football season and anticipate 30-plus high school students will participate in 2009.