Shire football wraps up season

   HOULTON, Maine — The Houlton High School Football Shires (6-1) completed their season at home defeating the Caribou Huskies 32-13 before a large and enthusiastic home crowd.
    This was the “Senior Game” and parents of Cyruss Brooker, Sam St. John, Jon Ramsey, Ryan Baptista and Lucas Flewelling were recognized as each of the players presented their mothers with red roses before the kickoff. Injured receiver Flewelling had to sit this game out.
The Shires got on the board in the first quarter when quarterback Jake Drew broke off a 28-yard scamper to the right and the end zone. In the second quarter, Brooker eluded would be tacklers for another 28-yard score. Caribou responded with a long pass in the closing seconds for the score and converted making the score 12-7 at the half.
In the third period, Ramsey and Dakota Gramour tackled a Caribou ballcarrier in the end zone for a safety. Houlton pushed the ball after the Caribou free kick to the 5-yard line, where Drew bulled in for a Houlton touchdown, pushing the score to 20-7.
“The fourth quarter was full of surprises,” said assistant coach Andy Hay. “It wasn’t over yet as Caribou threw up a desperation pass for a score. The touchdown came with an unnoticed 12th Caribou player on the field at the time of the play making the score 20-13.
Houlton roared back as Drew passed to Sam St. John for a 20 yard score after Houlton safety Matt Phillips had recovered a Caribou fumble.
Drew rounded out the scoring with another 5-yard touchdown making the final 32-13.
The defense played well with cornerback Baptista making and interception as well as Phillips. Drew recovered a fumble and the safety play of Ramsey and Gramour highlighted the defense of the Shires.
“Caribou put a lot of pressure on our corners and safeties, but our interior defense with Ramsey, Gramour, Nick Hagan, Sabastion Walton, Gary Tucker, Mike Holmes and Jake Conrad, linebacker Josh Upton and nose tackle JJ Jones more importantly shut down Caribou’s run attack.” said head coach Brian Reynolds. “It wasn’t our best display today, but considering the field conditions and lack of practice time because of the previous weather conditions I’ll take this win. The kids worked hard and did well today. I am happy for all of them.”
Reynolds singled out cornerback Devin McLaughlin for his solid play.
The Shires will have a number of quality returning players including Trey Whitney, Caleb Murdock, Danielle Provost, Matt Roy and Chris Stoddard. The Shires wrapped up their first year as a MPA recognized sport going a remarkable 5-1 against established downstate programs.