Knights dump Milo 68-13

Prep begins for southern invasion
    Time would test the Houlton Knights last Saturday in Milo.
    Head Coach Brian Reynolds was happy to leave Milo with his players in relatively good health after a physical game on less than perfect field conditions. The Knights football team (4-0) had gotten on the scoreboard early and often and cruised to a 68-13 victory over the Panthers (0-3).
    The Panthers are a big and bruising team, said Andy Hay. However, Panther turnovers and defensive quickness along with some timely breaks would “seal the deal” for the Houlton varsity team.
    Aaron Eastman’s star continues to rise as he ran for 192 yards on 10 carries and four touchdowns including a 73-yard dash to the end zone.
    Quinn Harris passed for a touchdown to Eastman and passed for four extra point conversions.
    The game was not without its strange moments. Knight Ryan Baptista fielded a kickoff and was sandwiched by two Milo players, the ball popped out and lineman Josh Bragan recovered the loose ball out of the air and found himself in the end zone for a touchdown.
     According to Reynolds, Bragan doesn’t see much of the football, but today he “got a season’s worth.”
    Bragan added, “Wow, I never thought the coach would give me a chance at scoring. Now I have.”
    Jacob Drew and Jordan Russell ran for touchdowns, while the Knights’ offense collected 310 yards in the game.
    On special teams Bill Livezey returned a punt 48 yards for a score. Livezey ended the day with 172 all-purpose yards.
    Reynolds was quick to point out, “Milo certainly has improved. Their size was definitely an advantage for them … (But ) our team responded very well to the challenge.”
     The defense played aggressive football as they limited the Panthers to 83 yards on 49 plays. The secondary denied any completions in the pass department.
    The big story on the defensive side was Dan Toby. He had six tackles, two sacks and two fumble recoveries. Eastman was everywhere with seven tackles and two fumble recoveries. Don DeVoe recorded two sacks. Josh Carmichael had three-plus tackles to go with a sack that ended in a safety. John Ramsey had two sacks and recorded a safety for the Knights. Defensive end Sam St. John had five-plus tackles.
    Coach John Smith said. “Milo was big and they challenged our front line. We got a lot of action there. The kids did very well.”
    Coach Hay pointed out, “Hunter Hanning boomed some great kickoffs, boxing in Milo for no returns and poor field position. We got some breaks and capitalized on them. Our turnovers didn’t affect the score, but their’s cost them plenty. The story for me was Aaron, Quinn, Dan and Josh. We have some of the best athletes in the area playing for us. They went above and beyond today.”
    “When you’re playing well it seems that the breaks fall in your favor.” said Reynolds. “We put up some big numbers today … we got our younger kids involved. I’m happy to be where we are in the season, but we have quite a way to go.”
    The Knights will prepare for what could be the biggest game of their six-year existence when they travel to the heart of football country in Damariscotta on the  coast of the state to take on the much vaunted Lincoln County Eagles in a full compliment 11-man format. The Eagles (3-0) have put up some big numbers this season and appear to be the ‘beast’ of the independent high school football jungle in Maine.
    It will be a test for the Knights. Kick off is 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Junior Knights roll over Ashland 60-6
    Head coach Bill Alderson was all smiles as the Houlton Junior Knights football team defeated the Ashland club 60-6 at NMCC in Presque Isle on Saturday.
    The offense was led by quarterback Jared Fox who demonstrated his cool under fire.
    The Junior Knights exploded with scores by Jacob Conrad, Josh Upton, Tyler Smith, Ares Rattray and Sam Geary.
    The defense played well with Jordan Violette, Nick Botting, Gary Tucker, Jacob Fox, Jimmy Buzzell, Adam Casillas, Josh Suitter and Kailin Williams. Several errant Ashland passes were intercepted and returned for Houlton touchdowns.
    Special teams got into the act as Tyler Smith returned a kickoff for a touchdown.
    “I was happy for the kids. We are making progress in many areas,” said Alderson. “Every player contributed to the win.”
    In an effort to expand competition and gain experience, the Junior Knights are scheduled to play a well-established team from Millinocket — the feeder program for Stearns High — at Houlton on Saturday at Community Park at 11 a.m. The public is invited and admission is free.
    The Junior Knights are the junior high representatives from the area schools. The team is affiliated with the Houlton Football Association who sponsor the Peewee Knights and the high school varsity Knights.