Playing against an undefeated team can
be intimidating. Pre-game preparation for such a task can be the difference
between winning and losing. Diffusing the mindset of players about the
challenge of facing an undefeated team however is what makes coaching
challenging. “Our confidence level is pretty good,” stated Eagles head coach
Matt Perkins before the game. Is it different when playing an undefeated team? Not
according to Perkins. “It’s key points, and things we anticipate and what they
did before us and staying focused on the moment,” he continued.
The game started with Windham’s first
possession taking them down to the Scots 28-yard line where on fourth down and
six they decided to go for it. They came up short, but did manage to eat up
four minutes off the clock.
The Scots however would have better
success. Their opening drive would yield the game’s first score. A 6-yard
rushing touchdown by running back Alex Sprague and a failed two point
conversion made the score 6-0.
The second quarter would not go any
easier for the Eagles. With 9:11 remaining the Scots would strike again. Running
back Cam Theberge took the ball in from the six. Another attempt at a 2-point
conversion, this one hindered by penalties, would back them up leaving no
choice but to go for what would end up being a failed extra point; two
possessions, two scores. The result from missed tackles and assignments, the
Eagles now trailed 12-0.
Windham however would successfully mount
an impressive drive, scoring on their next possession fueled by a 28-yard pass
from quarterback Desmond Leslie to Blake Houser. Another perfect throw from
Leslie would find Houser in the end zone. With 8:02 left the Eagles had reduced
the Scots lead and now only trailed 12-7. This did not last for long. Running back
Sprague and quarterback Day provided two more rushing touchdowns for the Scots
and at the half led 24-7.
At the half coach Perkins told his
players “We have to fix some things, tighten up certain areas of our game.” Down
just two scores at the half it could have been worse, could have been better.
“The score could have been closer. We had a chance when the Scot’s fumbled and
we tried to pick it up instead of falling on it,” explained Perkins.
The Scot’s would score with 11 minutes
to go in the game on a 30-yard connection from Day to Keith Hoffses and again
three minutes later when Day took it in on a keeper from Windham’s 22. Eating
up most of the clock gave the Eagles little time to mount any kind of
successful comeback and the game ended in a 38-10 loss.
“They (Scot’s) have a good balanced
attack. The kids played hard and battled to the end. We didn’t do our job and
it caught up to us. It’s a learning process,” Perkins said. About the teams
overall performance Perkins continued, “But, yeah, there was a lot of missed
tackles. We have to do a better job. I thought we moved the ball well in the
first half. We didn’t help ourselves on defense. We had a hard time doing the
right thing.” He told his players afterwards “you’ve got two choices. When you
play great teams you can either walk away or pout about it or you can say
great, this is what we got. We can get better.”
Windham’s next contest will be away
against the Oxford Hills/Buckfield Vikings (3-3) Game time is 7 p.m.
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