The Houlton High School football team (5-1) took an early bus ride to Skowhegan on Columbus Day. An originally scheduled Tuesday game with Mattanawcook was cancelled due to injuries on the Lincoln team. Fortunately Houlton Athletic Director Bruce Nason was able to come up with a non-scheduled game with a powerful Class B competitor for the Class D locals.
It was an interesting matchup as Houlton was missing key players who were healing some injuries and had taken approved family time due to the original scheduling.
Football is a game of numbers. Skowhegan had those numbers. Skowhegan’s squad had 27 players and Houlton 16 dressed for the game.
Skowhegan wore down the Shires in a very physical contest, but the final score of the game was not decided until late in the fourth quarter when Skowhegan short passed from inside the 20 to hang a 22-0 loss on Houlton.
Using a high-scoring spread formation, Skowhegan forced Houlton’s defensive secondary into crisis mode. Houlton responded well, but was unable to cover four to five receivers on three occasions. Skowhegan scored late in the first quarter on a 35-yard strike and again late in the second quarter with a pass play. Both teams were scoreless in the third quarter.
The Houlton team’s performance drew praises from the Skowhegan coaching staff.
“We just couldn’t get anything going offensively. Defensively it was a steep learning curve. I think the kids responded well under the circumstances,” said coach Brian Reynolds, adding, “We played a well-coached, tough team. But I am sure proud of our kids. They didn’t back down or quit.”
Houlton plays John Bapst at Husson University field on Monday at 7 p.m.
