~~ Varisty ~~
Both teams knew going into this game is was going to be an all out battle, as they both were bringing undefeated records as well as being ranked 1 & 2 in the Southern Maine Youth Football League into this meeting.
It began with Saco returning the opening kick off to its 40 yard line. The Storm defense did as it has all year bent but did not break taking the ball over on downs on the Red Storm 35 yard line. Unlike in the past weeks the offense failed to execute against an experienced Saco defense and had to punt giving the ball back to Saco.
It stayed as a defensive battle as both teams exchanged punts, until the Saco offense found its rhythm and scored late in the first period, but the Storm defense denied the 2 point conversion leaving the score at 6-0 Saco. The next big momentum changing play was a Saco incepting a Red Storm pass and gaining excellent field position. Saco did not hesitate and immediately capitalized with a 40 yard touch down pass, once again the Red Storm denied the extra point conversion leaving the score at 12 going into half time.
The second half began with Saco recovering an on-side kick. However they failed to move the ball as the Red Storm held strong. The Red Storm finally began to move the ball on offense, however Saco was able to come up with its second of three interceptions on the day ending the drive. Saco wasted to time and scored on the next play making it 18-0.
The Storm return team clicked and Ian Morris return the ball to mid field, setting the stage for the Storm to mount and impressive 50 yd drive culminating in a Kenny Adams 15 yd TD.
Chase Damon adding the extra point and the Storm narrowed the gap to 18 – 7
By this point the Scarborough’s defense was simply worn down when the Trojan’s added another TD and the Storm held strong and did not allow the two point conversion. In fact the Red Storm was perfect in stopping all of Saco ’s conversion attempt.
On this hard fought day defensive standouts for Scarborough were Dan LeClair, Jacobe Dipietro who recorded two sacks.
~~ Junior Varsity ~~
Scarborough Junior Varsity defeated the Saco Junior Trojans 22-8 Sunday afternoon.
The Junior Trojans were able to take an early lead with a first quarter touchdown run and 2 point conversion. Trailing 8-0 the Junior Varsity offense went to work, culminating in a long Ben Lindsey touchdown run. A pass from Zach Carriero to Matt Fosler successfully converted the PAT. The half ended in deadlocked 8-8.
Redstorm JV came out hungry and with the help of insane defensive efforts from players such as Jordan Flannery, Ben Bragg, Andrew Simmons, Sam Freeman, Carriero and big Joe Brown, the Junior Trojan offensive was kept at bay. Carriero to Fosler connection hooked up again for a big touchdown (with an assist from Brandon Watkins) but the 2 point conversion failed. Both defenses were stout until deep into the fourth quarter and a big play by Freeman, cutting down a Junior Trojan fourth down play in the backfield, got the ball back into the offense’s hands. Lindsey finished our third scoring drive by going 32 yards to end zone on a 4th and long play with just under 2 minutes remaining. Watkins corralled the two point conversion pass to finalize the scoring.
The Junior Trojans final drive of the afternoon was thwarted by Matt Gedaro, who made a touchdown saving tackle and broke up a pass on consecutive plays, and ended on a Chase Damon interception inside the red storm 5 yard line. The offense took a knee to seal the victory.
Credits:
Article by Tom MacDonald
Photo by Elaine Graef
Here are the game highlights from prior games incase you missed them in the Scarborough Leader.
Credits:
Articles by Tom & Allison MacDonald
Photos by Elaine Graef