Football First Team Finishes Season Undefeated

High School Football - First Team

October 22, 2009

By David Field

 

Damien Shepard after catching a Colby Waterhouse pass dashes to the endzone. David Field photo.

 

Windham-The Windham Freshman Football team concluded their season with a 36-0 win over neighbor Westbrook Blue Blazes.

 

Because only two officials were present at the start of the game, Windham took possession at their own 35 yard line.  On the first play, Colby Waterhouse took the ball 65 yards to the end zone.  Shawn Francoeur ran the two point conversion to put the Eagles up 8-0. 

 

Colby Waterhouse outruns the Westbrook defense. David Field photo.

 

Windham held Westbrook and took possession on their own 35 yard line because of the lack of officials and no punting.  Waterhouse would scramble down the field to set up a 34 yard passing play to Damien Sheppard to record the second touchdown.  Shawn Francoeur ran in the two point conversion. 

 

Things then got interesting for both squads.  Westbrook took possession on their own 35.  On a high snap, Windham appeared to recover the ball.  However, the play was nullified due to a block in the back penalty on Windham and Westbrook advanced 10 yards and started with a first down.  Windham’s Jordin Allen then picked off a pass to give Windham the ball on the Eagle 41.  Colby Waterhouse ran the first play to the end zone, only to have it called back on a penalty.  Waterhouse then hit Allen at the two yard line for a 28 yard completion.  Then, Westbrook intercepted a Waterhouse pass in the end zone to end the first quarter.

 

Josiah Purves pursues the Blue Blaze quarterback. The play ended in an incomplete pass. David Field photo.

 

The Eagle defense pushed Westbrook back to their own 2 yard line and forced them to punt.  The ball was not kicked well and Windham let it roll to the end zone to take possession on the Blue Blaze 20 yard line.  Colby Waterhouse would take a Calvin Field hand off five yards to add another six points to the score.  Shawn Francoeur kick missed wide.  After the kickoff, Francoeur redeemed himself after he picked off a pass and rambled 55 yards to give Windham another six points.  His PAT kick was good and gave Windham a 29-0 lead to end the first half.

 

Nick Sundquist attempts to slow down the Westbrook running back. David Field photo.

 

Damien Sheppard started the second half by kicking the ball to the end zone to give Westbrook possession at their 20.  The Westbrook quarterback was constantly under pressure but eventually found an open receiver to give Westbrook a 25 yard gain.  On the next play, another high snap resulted in a turn over and Windham went to work.  Calvin Field took the keeper 15 yards and set up a Colby Waterhouse 8 yard touchdown run.  Francoeur kick was good.

 

Late in the fourth quarter, Westbrook moved the ball.  With time running out, on fourth down, the Blazes tried for the end zone.  Windham stopped them at the two yard line as time expired.

 

Shawn Francoeur boots PAT for Windham. David Field photo.

 

After the game, Coach Bob Burton gave credit to Todd Coons, the MS football coach for the prior two years.  Additionally, he said “This a classic group of kids.  They are a hard-nosed bunch of football players.  They show up to every game and practice and play as a team.  They are extremely talented, play well and hard together.  The sky is the limit for this outstanding group of kids.”  Additionally, Bob added that Varsity Coach Matt Perkins asked 15 Freshman to suit up to practice with and play with the Varsity squad as Windham heads into the playoffs.  “Coach Perkins has that much respect for this group of kids” added Burton.

 

Windham varsity concludes the regular season this Friday night at Westbrook and the JV squad will finish its season on Monday in Windham.