Shires must rise to occasion

By Gloria Austin  
Staff Writer
    The Houlton Shiretowners have been facing challenges all season. It started with a new coach coming on cold without knowing his players. But, the coach has a great deal of knowledge about the game. That has translated into a number-six seed playoff game.
    “I think we grew over the course of the season together,” said Houlton coach Mike Carlos. “At the end of the season, we had a couple of big games and we couldn’t seem to win them. But, I think that is a process and it can’t be solved in a year. Leadership will develop.”
PHYSICAL PLAY – Houlton Shires Ben Ward, No. 10 and Jordan Gard go up high to head the ball, sandwiching a Fort Kent player in a game played on Oct. 9 in Houlton. The Shires are traveling to Washington Academy today to take on the No. 3 Raiders at 4 p.m. The winner advances to the semifinals on Friday.
    Many of the younger players have never been in a situation where they have to win games coming out of junior high or junior varsity.
    “They have never been in that type of situation,” said Carlos. “Right now, they don’t know how to win. They have to learn how.”
    The No. 6 Shires will travel to No. 3 Washington Academy for today’s quarterfinal game at 4 p.m.
    “They are 14-0 and very good,” Carlos said of the Shires’ opponents. “To win this game, we will have to play like we are capable of playing.”
    And, that would be attacking the opponent and not giving up any ground.
    “We need to play hardnosed soccer,” said Carlos. “We can’t allow the other team the opportunity to do anything with the ball. If they are given the chance and time, then they will win. If we can eliminate the amount of time they have the ball, then we will do OK.”
    Carlos has been very pleased with his team’s progress.
    “Things have gone well,” he said. “We lost three of our last four games. I was disappointed about that. I thought we could’ve played Fort Kent and Madawaska stronger.”    
    But, the Shires met their goal … getting into the playoffs.
    “We probably set our goal too low,” said Carlos. “It didn’t matter where we played this year, no one dominated us. We are at that point where we are fairly steady. But, now we need to rise up a little bit more, putting everything together, and maybe coming out with the win.”
    The Shires have had a good year and are hoping for good things to come.
    “I’m really happy to have this group of kids,” said Carlos. “I’m looking forward to the future, and the boys program is on track and delivering some big things either this year or in the near future.”