Windham Gets First Victory of Season

It is also their First Ever Victory Against Portland

By David Field

After finally getting permission to get sideline permission for Friday night’s game, I got to see some up close action.  Although not the cleanest event I have witnessed, it was a true pleasure to see the Windham Eagles get their first victory of 2007 and first ever victory against the struggling Portland Bulldogs 14-2.

After reviewing the game with friends, it was determined that the first quarter happened in a blink after Windham kicked off to Portland.  The highlight of the quarter was on fourth down when Nate Johnson lined up to punt and after receiving the ball, felt the defensive pressure and ran for 18 yards to get the first down for Windham.  Later, Johnson would be injured (ankle) on an 8 yard carry and would be out for the rest of the game.  In his place, Jack Mallis stepped in and ran 124 yards on at least 16 carries which included a grueling 11 yard touchdown.

In the second half, the third quarter seemed to run like cold molasses.  Windham got pinned on their 1 yard line and with Johnson out they had their number 2 kicker and number 3 long snapper in.  Coach Perkins called for a long snap not to be fielded to award Portland the Safety.  After the ensuing kickoff, Windham’s defense converted the possession on downs.

In the fourth quarter, Windham got on the board again with a beautiful Jackson Taylor 35 yard pass to Travis Guerrette.  The point after made the score 14-2.  Windham’s defense held the Bulldogs after the kickoff.  With 2:05 left in the game, Windham fumbled and Portland took over.  However, that was short lived as Portland’s quarterback, Joe Zukowski, threw a long pass that TJ Robbins intercepted.  To cap things off, Portland called timeout with 1.7 seconds left in the game for no apparent reason. 

Next week, the Windham Eagles face the South Portland Red Riots at George Martin Memorial Field in SP on Friday night at 7pm.  South Portland lost to Bonny Eagle 48-7 after winning their first game the week before.

Injuries: RB no. 33 Nate Johnson will possibly be out for a few weeks with an ankle strain.  Lineman no. 54 Jim Tocher strained his neck and got a possible concussion in a helmet to helmet encounter just before the first half ended.  His status is unknown.   No. 85 Nate Dixson, ribs and bruised spleen is out for a couple of weeks after being injured in the Bonny Eagle game.

Windham Defense focused on Bulldogs early in Game (Photo By David Field)

Nate Johnson was injured early in the game and Jack Mallis came in to carry the ball for 124 yards and 1 touchdown. (Photo By David Field)

Windham Defense stops Bulldogs Advance

(Photo By David Field)

Coach Perkins and staff on key Eagle play.

(Photo By David Field)

The Eagles gather to relish the victory.

(Photo By David Field)

Coach Perkins confers with quarterback Jackson Taylor late in the game. (Photo By David Field)