Knights garner League accolades

    Capping off an undefeated, championship season, the Houlton Knights continued into the early off-season “winning” a couple of individual awards.       
    Houlton senior captain Chris Ruth, who starred on offense at quarterback/wide receiver and on defense at outside linebacker, while also being a force on special teams, was chosen as the 2009 Aroostook Football League Most Valuable Player.
    Ruth, who was a returning starter at quarterback was moved to wide receiver after the second week of the season when fellow team captain Eddie Flint went down with a season-ending injury. All Ruth did was lead the team in catching touchdowns from his new position with three, while being an outstanding compliment as a blocker on the end for the Knights league-leading ground game. Ruth also rushed for 134 yards, four touchdowns and four extra points, while throwing for a touchdown and three extra points before he switched positions.
    On defense, Ruth amassed 47 tackles, had three interceptions including two key interceptions in the League Championship game, and one fumble recovery that he returned for a touchdown in the title game.
    Transfer Chris Taylor, who moved to the Shiretown from Ohio last summer, was the catalyst for an explosive Knights offense. Taylor, who was a spread-option quarterback in Ohio transitioned nicely into coach Brian Reynolds ground-oriented offense. Taylor, who threw for 140 yards, four touchowns and an extra point also ran for nearly 400 yards, seven scores and two extra points, helping to keep the focus off Houlton’s top runners Caleb Black and Jesse DaEira.
    In other news, senior captain Jon Silliboy was awarded with the “President’s Award,” given to the player who exemplifies good citizenship on and off the field.      
    Silliboy, a three-year starter on both sides of the ball played his senior season with a heavy heart as his father Harry Silliboy lost a courageous battle with cancer early this year.  Silliboy was the emotional leader of the team and ended all practices and games with the familiar “1, 2, 3 H-A-R-R-Y” cheer that those who follow the team grew accustomed to throughout the year.
Jon Silliboy with his mother, Doreen.