HOULTON, Maine — The Houlton football squad fell for the first time this season Friday with a 28-7 loss to Dexter at the Maliseet Sports Complex.
Houlton coach Brian Reynolds said a strong second-half by the visiting Tigers proved to be the difference in what had been a close game at the half.
Houlton’s Darrien Henderson carries the flag as he leads the Shires onto the field Friday evening.
(Joseph Cyr)
“I think we took a step back this week,” he said. “Dexter came out hard like we knew they would. We had a chance to go up by two touchdowns early in the second quarter, but didn’t execute and blew a golden opportunity to take control of the game. I think it will be a learning experience for us. We will get back to the drawing board this week. Hopefully we can turn things around and get back on track when we take on MA at their place Friday night.”
Against Old Town Friday, Sept. 13, the Shires rolled to a 42-6 victory in a defensive masterpiece. Will Belyea had 10 carries for 171 yards and three touchdowns, with a two-point conversion. Noah Reynolds carried the ball 10 times for 64 yards and two touchdowns, with a two-point conversion to lead the Shires.
Defensively, the Shires allowed just 88 yards on the ground rushing, and 19 yards passing.
Houlton’s Jackson Morris, left, and David Tucker Jr., back, try to bring down Dexter’s Cameron Paige during Friday night’s football game in Houlton.
(Joseph Cyr)
“Basically our defense has been our calling card,” coach Reynolds said. “Noah got a safety on the first play of the game and that set the tone for us. We scored on the ensuing possession on a QB sneak by Will Belyea and then Will scored on a 60-yard run on the last play of the first half to put us up 14-0.”
Speed on defense is proving to be a key for the Shires. In the first two games, the team allowed just six points.
“Veteran leadership and experience is so important in all sports but more so in football due to the physical nature of the game,” the coach said. “We have 21 seniors and juniors on our team and all of those mature bodies are leading to success on the field. This is a very smart group of football players with a very high football IQ. These kids are given the game plan that Coach (Jon) Solomon prepares on Monday at film study, they work on it all week in practice and then execute it on Friday night.”
Houlton’s Noah Reynolds tries to make a leaping one-handed catch as Dexter’s Parker Ponte defends during Friday night’s football game. Dexter won 28-7.
(Joseph Cyr)
