Knights down Huskies 43-25; clinch home field advantage

Pioneer Times photograph/Joseph Cyr
SO CLOSE — Houlton Knight quarterback Quinn Harris, tries to leap through the end-zone Saturday, but goes out of bounds at the one-yard line, against the visiting Caribou Huskies. The Houlton Knights defeated Caribou, 43-25, and clinched home field advantage for the playoffs. The Knights will play at home again Saturday afternoon in Community Park.
    The Houlton Knights were still smarting from the previous weeks’ defeat in Damariscotta. But, this week was an opportunity to get back on track as the Huskies of Caribou came calling at Bob Ruth Field in the Shiretown on a sunny afternoon — a perfect day for football.
    Knights Head Coach Brian Reynolds said before the game, “Caribou wanted this game badly. We have been nursing some nagging injuries.”
    The Knights (5-1) started in low gear against the Huskies (3-2). The Huskies were not intimidated and were determined to keep the high-scoring Knights at bay.
    In the first quarter, on their second possession, the Knights grounded out 68 yards in 12 plays to score when quarterback Quinn Harris snuck in from the three-yard line. Aaron Eastman carried for the extra point.
    In the second quarter, Harris found Hunter Hanning open in the end zone for a nine-yard scoring play. The Knights took a tenuous 13-0 lead at the half.
Pioneer Times photograph/Joseph Cyr
PLOWING THROUGH — Houlton Knight Hunter Hanning, No. 9, plows over a Caribou defender during Saturday’s game, while teammate Aaron Eastman watches the action.
    In the third quarter, things got interesting. Jacob Drew dashed 22 yards for the score. But, the Huskies would not be denied, as on their next possession, they ran off a 38-yard run for a score.
    The Huskies found inspiration and closed the gap with another score. It was now 19-13.
    Knights Coach Andy Hay was thinking, “If Lucy in the ‘Peanuts’ cartoon were to pull the ball away from a kicking Charlie Brown, this was the time.”
    And so it was with the Knights when it was all Eastman covering 55 yards for a touchdown bringing the fans out of their seats, putting the Knights ahead, 26-13.
    The big crowd on hand sensed the momentum of the game had somehow changed. The Knights broke the game open with an eight-yard touchdown carry by Drew, along with an inspired Harris, who ran the ball 57 yards for a score. The Knights controlled the game, 37-13.
    But, the Huskies would not lie down. Caribou tailback Cody Bryant lofted a 38-yard pass for a score.
    Then, Harris returned the compliment with a nine-yard strike to Hanning to make the score 43-19.
    Caribou was able to score again but the damage was done. Harris took a knee to end the game. Knights 43-25.
    On offense, Eastman carried 18 times for 150 yards, Harris ran for 85 yards and Drew and Billy Livezey ran for 53 and 38 yards respectively. Harris was 3-for-5 in the passing department with two touchdowns.
    The defense was led by Dan Toby with nine-plus tackles, a blocked punt and forced fumble. Josh Bragan had seven tackles and a fumble recovery, while Sam St. John had a knocked down pass and a fumble recovery. Eastman recovered a fumble to go with five-plus tackles and Livezey made an interception to go with four tackles. Harris and Joel Redman accounted for four tackles a piece.
    Reynolds said, “The staff worked on some different blocking schemes in practice and obviously we confused the Caribou defense. Our line is banged up, but the younger players picked up some slack and gained some much needed experience. We made some defensive adjustments in the second half to take pressure off the corners. It seemed to work.”
    “The team showed a lot of grit” said Coach John Smith, adding, “We want to be ready for the playoffs. I know we will see Caribou again at some point.”
    Reynolds added, “We had something to prove to ourselves and the team responded. They took it to another level in the second half today. The kids left it all on the field today. It will only get tougher from here on out. We have to prepare for Madawaska.”
Pioneer Times photograph/Joseph Cyr
NO STOPPING — Houlton Knight Aaron Eastman, left, isn’t going to let a Caribou defender stop him as he uses a stiff arm to move forward during Saturday’s game in Houlton.
    The Knights wrapped up the playoff home field advantage with the win. The Madawaska Mustangs visit next Saturday in Houlton in the 2nd annual “October Breast Cancer Awareness” game. The Knights will provide the fun in the “pink” game in a regular season contest. Game time is set for 2 p.m. at the Bob Ruth Field.
    Admission is free and the public is invited. Concessions and entertainment will be provided. Proceeds from the 50/50 will be donated to the cause.
JV’s delight crowd
with gridiron pyrotechnics
    With 10 seconds off the game clock, Izaak Ramos had returned the opening kickoff untouched for the first of seven scores as the Knight junior varsity team (3-0) gunned down Caribou, 43-18.
    Quarterback David Donahue led the team with near perfect execution throughout the game. Ryan Baptista ran for 165 yards and three touchdowns behind the blocking of Jordan Russell. Cyrus Brooker found the end zone after Donahue passed to Ryan Heath for a 40-yard gain to the seven-yard line. Russell rumbled in for the extra point.
    Coach Hay was all praises, “We have plenty of speed and power in the backfield and a strong line. We have a young team, but they are a smart, aggressive and a physical team. They have picked up the game well.”
    The defense was led by the line of Sebastian Walton, Kyle Ramsey, Brandon Suitter and Nick Hagan. The defensive secondary played solidly behind JJ Jones, Devon McLaughlin, Gavin Russell, Kody Williams and Caleb Murdoch.
    Murdoch made the play of the game with a spectacular one-hand interception and a 12-yard return down the sideline for a touchdown. Not to be outdone, Jones followed up with an interception and returned it 42 yards for a score.
    The Knight JVs are scheduled to take on the Madawaska Mustangs on Saturday at Bob Ruth Field after the varsity event in an anticipated tough matchup.
Junior high Knights stage huge comeback win in Presque Isle
    Head Coach Bill Alderson said, “In all my years of coaching this was the absolutely best game I have ever been involved,” as he added, “I’m really proud of these kids.”
    Junior Knight safety Ares Rattray broke the backs and hearts of the Caribou Huskies with interceptions and run-back touchdowns in the closing minutes to help defeat the junior Huskies 32-28 in a thriller at Presque Isle.
    The Huskies (2-2) were cruising with the lead in the fourth quarter when Rattray inspired his teammates to the exciting win. The junior Knights (2-2) play host on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. against the Ashland Huskies (0-3) at Bob Ruth Field as a prelim to the varsity game.