Windham Records First Ever Win Against Deering 35-19

High School Football - Varsity

September 25, 2009

By David Field

 

Jack Mallis takes a Jackson Taylor handoff as the Windham line tries to block for him. David Field photo.

 

Windham ME: Under the homecoming crowd spirit, Windham defeated the Deering Rams 35-19 Friday night

 

The start of the game was not good for the Eagles.  They lost the toss and the defense stopped the Rams to start.  On the first possession, Jack Mallis would run a 70 yard touchdown that would be called back on a penalty.  Windham would be forced to punt.  Deering would put together a string of plays that would culminate in a Jamie Ross touchdown pass with 56 seconds left in the first quarter.  Deering’s PAT kick was good.

 

Tucker Miller punts the ball early in the game. David Field photo.

 

Windham struggled at the start of the second quarter.  They took the kickoff, ran a few plays and fumbled the ball which the Rams recovered.  Ross again went to the air to record another six for Deering  and the PAT kick would miss wide putting Deering up 13-0 over the Eagles. 

 

A huge crowd turned out for Windham's homecoming. David Field photo.

 

On the ensuing kickoff, with the homecoming crowd silenced, Windham got the offense cranked up.  After a few plays, Jackson Taylor found Matt Gledhill on a 13 yard pass reception that got Windham to the Deering 8 yard line.  Jack Mallis took matters into his own hands and put Windham on the board.  Matt Coffee came in to kick the PAT, but the snap was bobbled by Cody Laberge and converted to a two point conversion to make the score 13-8. 

 

Deering QB Jamie Ross launches a pass in the first quarter. Windham's defense smartened up in the second quarter and limited the pass attack. David Field photo.

 

The Windham defense again showed it came to play and stopped Deering and took possession.  With time running out, Windham moved the ball effectively and got a first down on the 1 foot line.  With only 18 seconds on the clock, Jack Mallis again hit the end zone to put Windham ahead.  Matt Coffee booted the PAT to put the Eagles ahead 15-13 at the half.

 

In the second half, Windham put together its offense and wasted no time.  Taking the opening kickoff, Windham advanced.  Jackson Taylor hit Matt Gledhill for a 50 yard completion and then got him again for a 19 yard reception to put Windham on the board again.  Coffee booted the PAT to put Windham up 22-13. 

 

Jackson Taylor advances with two Ram defenders in pursuit. David Field photo.

 

Windham’s defense stepped up again to stop the Deering advance, forcing a punt.  Windham took over and made things happen.  Jackson Taylor found a dashing Tucker Miller for a 45 yard touchdown pass reception that Miller ran to the end zone.  As the announcer put it, “Coffee time” put the PAT through the posts to put Windham up 29-13 in the third.  Deering not thinking itself out of the game, responded quickly and Jamie Ross found John Hardy for a Deering touchdown.  Deering’s kick would miss.  But, the Rams proved that they were still in the game.

 

The fourth quarter was a back and forth adventure between the two squads.  Windham would put together a scoring drive that saw Jack Mallis bull his way into the end zone for Eagles.  Coffee’s PAT would miss wide.  The Eagles held on to win 35-19.