By Matt Pascarella
Windham Youth Football seventh- and eighth-grade football team was an unstoppable force this season. Their coach Bryan Freese has been coaching many of these young athletes since they were in elementary school and it meant a lot to everyone involved that they made it to the Southern Maine Youth Football League Atlantic Division Championship at Thornton Academy in Saco against Thornton Academy on Sunday, Nov. 8.
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| Windham Youth Football's seventh- and eighth-grade team displays its runner-up trophy after playing in the Southern Maine Youth Football League Atlantic Division Championship Game at Thornton Academy on Nov. 8. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA |
“Our strategy was to hold them to pass coverage; because last time we played them it was their passing that defeated us,” said Windham eighth grader Lucien Kri. “In practice we’ve been working on how to cover their passing offense. It was the game of the year, probably the most important game of our Youth Football career. Our running defense (went well) we really held them to good running defense. We needed more defenders in the backfield for passing and to believe in ourselves more. Team chemistry stands out looking back on the season. We’re all family, we’re all brothers and we had each other’s backs.”
Thornton Academy won the coin toss and deferred as Windham started strong, but the Trojans capitalized on a fumble early in the game. Thornton Academy scored, but their two-point conversion was unsuccessful.
The Eagle’s defense didn’t allow much ball movement, and Thornton Academy would not find the end zone for the remainder of the half.
During halftime, Windham Youth Football players and eighth graders Avery Russell, Lucien Kri and Cameron Young were recognized for making the Atlantic All-Star team.
“Coming into this game we put (the regular season loss to TA) behind us,” said Windham’s Young, who was the leading rusher during the game. “We put in a bunch of new plays for offense and defense. We did good getting the first downs, but it was just the turnovers that hurt us. It meant a lot for the whole team to make it to the State Championship, because last year (we came close). The big part for us was turnovers and keeping our mindset in the game; after the first couple touchdowns we (hung) our heads. That really hurt us.”
Partway into the second half, Thornton Academy scored again on a completed pass, but the two-point conversion was no good.
Windham got several first downs and connected on a long pass but struggled to get near the end zone.
Eighth grader Steven ‘SJ’ DePaolo II said Windham needed to want it more; they came out flat. DePaolo II said they lacked energy and made multiple mental mistakes. He said in the first half, they ran the ball well and their defense was good. If Windham had forced a few turnovers and stopped Thornton Academy’s run game, the end result may have been different.
“We changed up some formations, try to run inside, we thought we had them inside, make some adjustments that way,” said Windham Youth Football seventh and eighth grade coach Bryan Freese. “Defensively we changed some formations knowing that their quarterback had a great arm. We did a good job on defense, especially on run defense; we defended the pass well. On offense we had a hard time moving the ball, they had a swarming defense. We matched up well but came up short.”
“It shows all the hard work the coaches and the players have put in over the years,” he said. “Throughout the season we learned a lot of things; the way that the team came together and adjust and adapt to certain adversities in different situations ... showed we got good heart and concentration. These kids will be good in the future moving forward.”
The Eagles finished their season with a spectacular 9-2 record. <
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