Knights win ‘slog’ fest over Mustangs

    This was a contest of wills, miscues, heroism and redemption in the mud on both sides of the ball for the Houlton Knights.
    What’s the answer to seven fumbles (five from center), penalties, more fumbles and inclement weather? Well, Caleb Black’s four touchdowns, Jesse DaEira’s nine solo tackles and a big hometown fan turnout.
    On Saturday night, archrival Madawaska came to town just in time for a game-long rain event to challenge the high-flying Knights.
    The Mustangs (1-2) had a chance to catch the Knights (3-0 League, 4-0 overall) in the league playoff picture. That hope was washed away as the Knights downed the Mustangs 28-18 at Bob Ruth Field. The win guaranteed home field advantage for the Knights in the playoffs.
    Rain fell from the opening kickoff. The Knights forced a safety on the Mustangs when a mishandled punt snap went out of the end zone and gave the edge to Houlton 2-0. Madawaska recovered its composure and scored a touchdown to take a 6-2 lead at the end of the first quarter.
    Nothing seemed to go right for the Knights as fumbles, penalties, missed assignments and the weather played crucial roles.
BEAR HUG – Kyle Kramer, No. 87, gets a hold around a Madawaska player to bring him down during last Saturday’s game at the Bob Ruth Field. Kramer’s teammate Brian Tuttle is being blocked by a Madawaska defender on the play.
    But, by halftime, Houlton had clawed its way back into an 8-6 lead thanks to an eight-yard score to the right by Black.
    During halftime, little did anyone suspect what was in store in the second half.
Too many heroes
    The rain poured.
    There was nothing more to do but to let quarterback Chris Taylor hand off to workhorse Black (23 carries, 254 yards) with lead blocker, fullback DaEira in front. Black opened up the game with three electrifying second half touchdown runs of 10, 68 and 55 yards. DaEira caught Madawaska off guard and brought the crowd to their feet with an improvised 40-yard option pass to his quarterback Taylor.
    The game resembled a heavyweight boxing match as the Mustangs exchanged punch for punch scoring two more touchdowns, but too late to threaten.
    Field conditions barely held up for one quarter. After that, the rain dictated a controlled ground game by both sides. While the Knight offense made the long runs, the Knight defense forced Madawaska to grind out time-consuming short runs.
    Therein lay the difference.
    And the difference in this game was the gutsy play of the defensive corps. It certainly “bent, but would not break,” said Knights coach Brian Reynolds. DaEira had nine solo tackles. Justin Ramsey added seven tackles, one assist, one sack and a critical fumble recovery.
    This was a special day of redemption. With the help of injured Eddie Flint from the sidelines, a nervous Knight, senior captain Chris Ruth, directed the defense as he faced his former teammates and fans from Madawaska. Ruth had seven tackles and two assists.
    Quinn Harris and Brian Tuttle contained the outside rush. John Silliboy, Zach “Mayo” Mailloux and Dan Toby closed down the middle. Silliboy had five tackles and two assists. Kyle Kramer added five tackles, two assists causing a Mustang fumble at a crucial point in the game. Taylor had two interceptions to add to the Mustangs’ frustrations.
    Postgame, Reynolds said “the team finally put four quarters together against a good team. They didn’t get down on themselves, despite some miscues and the terrible playing conditions. They played well. They displayed tremendous poise and I’m proud of them.”
    The Knights travel to Charleston for a non-league game on Saturday. The final regular season home game will be Saturday, Oct. 17, under the lights at Bob Ruth Field against Caribou.
JV Report
SCORES – Joel Redman eludes the outstretched arms of a Madawaska defender to score a touchdown.
    The junior varsity Knights played a mixed roster of veteran varsity and junior varsity players from the Mustangs of Madawaska.
    Aerial efficiency by freshman quarterback Cory Morehead (5-10, 143 yards, two touch downs) allowed the junior Knights to remain competitive.
    Converted defensive back, Tim Chase ran for a 48-yard touchdown and hauled in a 33-yard touchdown pass from Morehead. Caleb McGary caught a 37-yard scoring strike. Sam St. John showed off his new “wheels” with plays that kept the offense going. Morehead and Joel Redman added extra points, as the junior Mustangs won 32-20.
    After the jv game, varsity coach Reynolds said the jvs young “defense got a lot of needed experience in this game. They responded very well and played with intensity” and (that) he “was impressed with their effort. These kids are our future.”