The Varsity Scarborough Junior Red Storm traveled to Massabesic for a Saturday night showdown against the Mustangs in search of their first win of the season.
On the third play of the game, the Junior Storm converted a 3rd and long when Zach Carriero connected with a wide open Nick Frizzle for 18 yards and a big first down. The ground game was able to gain big chunks of yardage due to the excellent blocking of the entire line, setting up a first and goal from the 6 yard line. Brandon Watkins then took the handoff and plowed through a big hole opened by Bennet Sterrer for the first score of the game. Sam Freeman pulled in a pass in the back of the endzone for the 2 point conversion and Scarborough had its first lead of the season 8 – 0.
On the ensuing drive the Mustangs were able to answer, capped off bay a long touchdown run but the defense was able to thwart the conversion attempt and the 1st quarter ended with Scarborough ahead 8 – 6. The second quarter opened with another touchdown drive by the Storm’s ending with Carriero scoring on a QB keeper from 8 yards out. The conversion was unsuccessful.
Massabesic received the ensuing kick-off looking for the tying score. Though the Scarborough defense was stout, the Mustangs were determined and their offense punched it in. The 2 point conversion was unsuccessful and Scarborough held on to 14 – 12 lead.
On the ensuing kickoff Watkins was able to catch a short kickoff at the 40 and take it right up the gut for a 60 yard touchdown behind terrific special teams blocking. Massabesic got the ball back with plenty of time to answer but the Junior Storm defense held strong in the final 2 minutes and the half ended 20 – 12.
When play resumed in the second half, it was the Scarborough defense that came up big. On the opening series of the second half the Mustangs were forced to turn the ball over on downs due to a series of big stops by Anthony Quintaliani; Kevin Caldwell and Milani Hicks. Though the offense did not score in the second half, they played good ball control and were able to melt clock setting up a dramatic 4th quarter with Scarborough holding an 8 point lead.
Early in the 4th quarter Massabesic embarked on what would be their final drive of the evening. With a 3rd and long from the Mustangs own 42 yard line the quarterback attempted to get outside but was cut down emphatically by Brian Garber near the sideline. The Red Storm offense then went to work and held on the ball for the remainder of the evening with Carriero picking up a game clinching first down with less than a minute remaining to end the game 20-12.
Other notable defensive plays were made by Caldwell, Quintaliani, Sterrer, Carriero, Brown, Hicks, Garber, Shaw, McSorley.
The Scarborough Jr Red Storm football team began its preseason practice on August 10th. Practice continues 5 days a week through the next couple of weeks then 3 days per week once school begins. There is an exhibition game on August 21st against Saco at 1 PM and the season opener is August 29th against Westbrook at home at 1 PM.
All home games are played at the Turf Field Complex. New registrations are always welcome. Come check out the excitement of Red Storm Football.
~~ 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
The season is in full swing. Middle School Varsity and JV teams are doing great. As of today (27-Sep) Varsity has a 2-2 record and JV is undefeated!
I loaded a few photos of both teams into flickr and thought you all might enjoy them. I’m no photographer, but they’re not half bad. I did catch a few touchdowns being made! If you have photos you’d like to share, come chat with me; it would be nice to have a variety of shots/players.
If you press the “Info On” button above the slide show, you can see the game date.