Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/SGloria Austin
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS – The Houlton Knights gather together for a team photograph after capturing the 2009 Aroostook Football League crown Saturday. The Knights defeated the Madawaska Mustangs, 19-6 to complete a perfect season of 7-0.
Knights capture 2009 AFL crown
Halloween brings tricks or treats, and Saturday’s Aroostook Football League title game featuring the Madawaska Mustangs and Houlton Knights had them both and then some. Take nine turnovers (three for Houlton, six for Madawaska) and 12 penalties (8-65 against Houlton; 4-30 against Madawaska), but before you get the idea that this was a sloppy affair, think again. It only added to a drama full of plot twists that were played out on Bob Ruth Field.
A large crowd from Houlton and around the County invaded the Shiretown to see a League Championship football game. They were not disappointed.
The Knights (7-0) prevailed 19-6 against a physical and determined Madawaska Mustang team (4-3) to capture the 2009 Aroostook Football League crown.
In the first quarter, a Houlton drive stalled and Madawaska quickly scored on a nifty sweep to the right from 18 yards out for a 6-0 lead, as the extra point failed.
INTERCEPTION – Chris Ruth of the Houlton Knights leaps and snatches the ball for an interception on the Madawaska Mustangs. Ruth, a former Mustang, was a driving force in Saturday’s AFL championship. The Houlton Knights won 19-6, while Ruth had three touchdowns, four catches and two interceptions against his former teammates.
Houlton came back after big gains by Caleb Black and Jesse DaEira. Quarterback Chris Taylor passed to end Chris Ruth from seven yards out for a score. Houlton’s conversion failed, as the score was knotted at 6-6 to end the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Madawaska drove to the Houlton 14-yard line, but stalled out on a fourth down incomplete pass. Houlton took over and started to move the ball efficiently until Taylor was intercepted deep in Mustang territory.
The Mustangs were on the move with a couple of good gains when the ball was stripped from their running back. For what seemed like an eternity, the ball sat alone on the field until Ruth alertly picked up the fumble and raced 52 yards for an improbable score. Black converted the extra point for a tenuous 13-6 Knight lead at halftime.
It was obvious from the start of the second half that the Mustangs were neither impressed nor intimidated by the Knights.
In the third quarter, the Mustangs drove, stalled and punted. Houlton did the same. Justin Ramsey of the Knights recovered a Mustang fumble, but on the ensuing play, Houlton also fumbled. Ramsey again forced and recovered a fumble at the Madawaska 37-yard line.
After much hard fought gains by Black and DaEira, Taylor found Ruth in a post pattern in the end zone for a 14-yard scoring strike. The extra point failed, but the Knights forged a 19-6 lead after three quarters.
ON THE FLY – Chris Taylor of thee Houlton Knights races down the sideline for a good gain after breaking free from a Mustang defender during Saturday’s AFL championship game. The Houlton Knights claimed the crown with a 19-6 win.
Ok, so you think you know how it ended. But, you probably don’t know the back-story of this game. It might give you a little appreciation of the drama of this game, specifically in the fourth quarter.
The Mustangs are good football team. They won the 2007 League championship from the Knights. Houlton’s Ruth played for the Mustangs before transferring to Houlton.
The story and game continue.
In the fourth quarter, Madawaska’s defense completely shut down Houlton, except for a theatrical 80-yard run – sideline to sideline – by Black that netted 20 yards before being brought down. He fumbled the ball two plays later and lost 10 yards.
Madawaska was driving for a score. Knight freshman cornerback Corey Morehead, replacing injured starter Brian Tuttle, made several great tackles and Quinn Harris’ saving tackle at the Houlton one-yard line set the stage for the rest of the story. With three minutes remaining, Madawaska passed into the end zone and found former Mustang, Ruth who intercepted the ball.
Houlton had the ball back and could kill the clock but fumbled on the 24-yard line. Madawaska went to work and on the very next play aired it out to … Ruth!
Ruth had three touchdowns, four catches and two interceptions against his former teammates; you just can’t make this stuff up.
Taking no chances, Knights coach Brian Reynolds wisely had quarterback Taylor take a knee to end it.
And now you know the rest of the story.
“The wind conditions were a big factor in this game. It completely changed our game plan, but it was a total team effort for four quarters – just too many heroes. Great teams always find a way to win and this is a great team” said Reynolds, “We have worked so hard; I’m so proud of these kids. There’s nothing more I can say. I’m overwhelmed.”
Coach Richard Cleary said of Ruth and company that these were “truly senior moments.”
For seniors Ruth, Taylor, John Silliboy, Ramsey, Caleb Jewell, Zack Mailloux and Kyle Kramer, their high school football career ended in high emotions and tears of joy.
WHAT A DAY – The Houlton Knights dedicated this season to the memory of Harry Silliboy, who had been a supporter and volunteer for the football team. After the game, Silliboy’s family gathered for a photograph. They are from left, Jon, Doreen and Kaya.
For the seven senior Knights, a no more bittersweet story could be written:
A dedicated season to Harry Silliboy, a new kid in town, a quest, a total commitment, a perfect season and a championship!
“The lessons learned and memories formed here on the field, regardless of wins or losses, will last these young men a lifetime,” said coach Andy Hay.
