Strong effort put forth by Windham varsity football during preseason game against Bonny Eagle

Senior Haddon Boyle of Windham runs for yardage during a
varsity football preseason scrimmage against Bonny Eagle
in Standish on Friday, Aug. 26.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA  

By Matt Pascarella 

In preparation for the start of the regular season, the Windham varsity football team played an exhibition game against Bonny Eagle at Bonny Eagle on Friday, Aug. 26. While Windham got on the scoreboard early, the Scots held them off for four quarters and won 20-7.

The Eagles are improving each week of practice leading up to their first regular season game on Thursday night.

Windham’s defense limited Bonny Eagle to just three touchdowns and the Eagles fought until the very end.

“We just had to keep working as a team,” said senior Jordan Bridge. “We played well as a team; our coaching staff was looking out for us; we came together and executed well on the plays that were called.”

Bridge said that they need to keep the energy up during the game and pick up teammates if they’re down. He said it’s a grind; they need to fix their mistakes and keep working. 

Windham won the coin toss over Bonny Eagle and elected to receive. Windham junior Ezra Foster ran straight up the field and made it to Bonny Eagle’s 34-yard line for first and 10.

A short time later, a pass to Bridge, who was in the end zone, was completed for a touchdown and Windham took the lead; the kick was good, and Windham led, 7-0.

While Windham’s defense took down Bonny Eagle quickly, the Scots were able to move the ball closer and closer to the goal line and scored to tie the game at 7-7.

Bonny Eagle scored again in the second quarter to lead 14-7. Windham came close to another touchdown, but with seconds left in the first half, an errant Eagles’ pass was intercepted by Bonny Eagle. The Scots remained up by a touchdown at halftime.

“We played well, we just need to be livelier as a team,” said Windham senior Haddon Boyle. “Overall, it was good.”

Boyle said the preseason games are good warmup for when the regular season begins. It gives them a feel for the game again.

After both teams went scoreless in the third quarter, Bonny Eagle crossed into the end zone once more. A two-point conversion was blocked by Windham’s defense.

As the clock ran out, Windham wasn’t able to score again and fell, 20-7.

“We’re getting there,” said Windham varsity football coach Matt Perkins. “We saw some things that we really focused on from last week and fixed them; we got some other things we got to clean up. It was good going against Bonny Eagle, I’d rather this happen than going against somebody and win 50-0, that doesn’t help you. Great experience for Windham.”

Composure went well with moving on from good and bad plays. Perkins said these preseason games are good competition. You need to make mistakes and learn.”

Windham hosts Noble at 7 p.m. Thursday in its regular season opener. <