Black runs wild: Knights mush them Huskies

    It was a bright and sunny day …  a traveling day for the Knights as they invaded Sincock Field in Caribou against their league rival Huskies.
    The Houlton Knights football team has so many ways to break your heart. Just ask Coach Stu Wyckoff of the Caribou Huskies. After taking a surprising first-quarter lead, the Huskies and fans looked on in awe as third on the depth chart running back, Caleb Black, ran for 190 yards and four touchdowns.
Staff photograph/Joe Cyr
RUSHES – Caleb Black of the Houlton Knights ran for 190 yards and four touchdowns against the Huskies last Saturday in Caribou. The Knights will play at home Saturday at the Bob Ruth Field, with the peewees playing at 3 p.m., junior Knights at 7 p.m. and varsity Knights at 5 p.m.
    This was the story of the game. Junior, Black ran for touchdowns of 75, 34, 11 and 7 yards. Head coach Brian Reynolds said afterwards, “We lost veteran captain Eddie Flint to an injury last Tuesday and practices had gone down hill all week. I am grateful somebody decided to step up for this game. Caleb got some needed confidence and an opportunity. It obviously became infectious and the whole team responded.”
    Reynolds experimented with three different quarterbacks. The results were all the same as Houlton (3-0) laid a thumping on Caribou (0-2) 48-12.
    Chris Taylor, Chris Ruth and Corey Morehead went 5-6 in passing and 98 yards. End Kyle Kramer made two phenomenal catches and freshman Sam St. John gathered in two more to go with Caleb McGary’s extra-point catch.
    Overall Knights rushing generated 297 yards. In addition to Black’s running clinic, Chris Taylor had two touchdowns and ran for 105 yards on eight carries. Freshman Morehead added another touchdown.
    On the defensive side, many team members made up for the loss of Flint. Quinn Harris, Brian Tuttle, Ruth, Jesse DaEira, Justin Ramsey, John Silliboy and Kramer collectively accounted for 60 tackles.
    Harris and Taylor killed Huskies uprisings with timely interceptions and “big time” runbacks.
    Defensive Coordinator, Bill Alderson will be taking a leave of absence for the season as business interests in Florida call. Alderson thanked the team for its dedication and support. He wished them all continued success. “He will be sadly missed,” said Reynolds.
    Reynolds also noted, “We kept mistakes to a minimum this week and our play execution is becoming smoother. Next week will be the big test.”
Showdown Spectacular
    On Saturday, Oct. 3, starting at 3 p.m., gridiron fans can overdose on three games at Houlton’s Bob Ruth Field when future local stars kickoff with a peewee matchup. The Knights junior varsity is scheduled for 7 p.m. against the junior Mustangs of Madawaska.
    The varsity Knights take on the Madawaska Mustangs (1-1) at 5 p.m. under the lights in what may be the decisive game to establish home field advantage in the upcoming playoffs.
    The public is invited. The concession stand will be open.
    Coach Reynolds said, “The players appreciate the support they have been given. It’s a league home opener. This is a great opportunity for the community to see some really great football.”