The fantasy run of the Yarmouth football team continued last weekend with a fourth straight decisive victory, 64-13 at Boothbay.

Falmouth also enjoyed a 36-0 win over visiting Gray-New Gloucester to keep its flickering postseason aspirations alive.

Greely suffered its second consecutive shutout setback, a 21-0 home loss to powerhouse defending Class B state champion Mountain Valley.

Freeport dropped its fourth in a row with a 48-22 setback at Traip.

Split decisions

Yarmouth has gone from being a feel-good story to a bona fide top contender in just a matter of a few weeks. Friday night, the Clippers dominated Boothbay from start to finish to improve to 4-2.

By the end of the first period, Yarmouth was up 42-0, scoring six touchdowns on its first 11 plays. The lead was up to 54-0 at the half and the Clippers cruised to a 64-13 decision.

“The boys played extremely well,” said Yarmouth coach Jim Hartman. “We did everything right. Eight people scored. As a coach, I’m very proud of that.”

Senior quarterback Eric Estabrook passed for a score and returned an interception for a touchdown. Senior Brodie Woodson had a short TD run. Junior Nate Pingitore rushed for 82 yards and a TD. Senior David Dietz carried just three times, but had 105 yards and a pair of TDs.

“They look for Brodie and Nate and David tears them up,” Hartman said.

Junior Nick Proscia scored his first varsity TD, on a 45-yard run. Junior Asa Arden also registered in the scoring column with a 65-yard scamper.

Yarmouth has its home finale Friday night against Madison (1-5). Last year, the Clippers earned their first-ever varsity victory over the Bulldogs, 22-14. Yarmouth then closes at Freeport. Two wins should give the Clippers their first postseason berth.

“We’re keeping them focused,” Hartman said. “Madison could spank us hard if we’re not careful. They’re getting better every week. We’ve got our work cut out. We can’t afford a loss.”

Falmouth evened its mark at 3-3 with its romp over Gray-New Gloucester. The Yachtsmen led only 8-0 at halftime behind a TD run from junior Caleb Bowden, but a second Bowden run in the third quarter made it 16-0 and Falmouth opened it up in the fourth with scoring runs from Bowden (227 yards and three scores on 26 carries), senior Brandon Morrill and freshman Will Sipperly.

“Our offensive and defensive lines dominated the game,” said Yachtsman coach John Fitzsimmons. “They opened big holes for our backs and on defense, they held the league’s leading running back, Taylor Valente, in check all night. (Junior) Storm McGovern was a standout on defense. As our middle linebacker, he was responsible for shutting down Valente. He had 6.5 tackles and a key sack. (Senior) Josiah Feigleson led the team in tackles with seven and also had two sacks.

“We began the season with five out of the six offensive skill positions being filled by first time varsity players. It takes time for the offense to jell. I hope this game was the turning point.”

Falmouth has a chance to leap right into the playoff fray if it can spring an upset at Mountain Valley (6-0), the defending state champion, Friday night. Last year, the Yachtsmen lost 42-7 at home to the Falcons in the regular season, then suffered a 41-6 setback in the Western B semifinals. 

“Next week’s game is critical if we want to keep our playoff hopes alive,” Fitzsimmons said.

Greely faced Mountain Valley Saturday night. The Rangers were blanked for a second straight week and fell to 2-4 with a 21-0 loss. Greely only managed 93 yards and five first downs on offense. The Rangers only turned the ball over once and were within seven before the Falcons scored late in the first half to open it up a bit.

“They’re a great team,” Greely coach David Higgins said of Mountain Valley. “They have a tremendous tradition and great athletes. We were sputtering a little bit, but it’s a tribute to them. You never like to lose, obviously, but I think we did OK.”

The Rangers’ road doesn’t get any easier. Friday, they visit red-hot and undefeated Cape Elizabeth (6-0). Last year, Greely fell 42-6 at home to the Capers.

Freeport won its home opener back on Sept. 11, but hasn’t been able to get back in the win column since. Saturday, the Falcons went to struggling Traip Academy and gave the Rangers a game, trailing just 27-22 in the second half, before the Rangers pulled away to win, 48-22. Freeport senior standout Miguel Beckles returned a kickoff and a punt for a TD. Senior Kyle Moore also scored for the Falcons (1-5). Freeport visits Boothbay this week, then wraps up its inaugural varsity season Oct. 24 at home against Yarmouth.

Sun Journal writer Kalle Oakes contributed to this story.

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net.

 

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