Windham Defeats Bonny Eagle In Overtime To Advance to Western Maine Finals

High School Football - Varsity

November 7, 2009

By David Field

 

Jackson Taylor lets the pass go to Jake Darling in the end zone to complete gutsy 2-point conversion to give Windham the win. David Field photo.

 

Windham ME: Jackson Taylor rolled right and found Jake Darling in the end zone to give Windham the 22-21 victory in overtime over Bonny Eagle today.

 

Windham quarterback Jackson Taylor gets the snap from his center Kevin Springer. David Field photo.

 

To start the game, Windham won the coin toss and deferred to Bonny Eagle.  Matt Coffee took the field and booted the ball into the end zone to have the Scots start at their own 20 yard line.  Bonny Eagle went to work immediately, mixing passing and running and using a no huddle offense.  The Scots worked their way to the Eagle 17 yard line and were met with a stifling defense which held them after four downs. 

 

 

Matt Gledhill dashes for the Windham touchdown in the first quarter. David Field photo.

 

On Windham’s first play, Jackson Taylor rambled 58 yards to get Windham great field position in Bonny Eagle territory.  After a Mallis run and a Tucker Miller pass reception, the Eagles were on the five yard line.  Matt Gledhill took the ball 5 yards to put Windham up on the board.  Matt Coffee booted the extra point to give Windham the early 7-0 lead.

 

Matt Coffee adds the extra point after Gledhill's TD. David Field photo.

 

Coffee again booted the ball to the end zone and the Scots started at their own 20.  Bonny Eagle quarterback Ryan Nason coughed up the ball and Jake Darling recovered for Windham on the 36 yard line.  Windham would turn the ball over on downs and give the Scots the ball on their own 31. 

 

TJ Robbins and Jack Mallis wrap up the Scot ball carrier. David Field photo.

 

After a handful of punt exchanges, Bonny Eagle would fumble the ball and Dylan Sabasteanski would recover for Windham.  The Scots were called for pass interference and Windham advanced to the 47 of Bonny Eagle.  Mallis would break for a ten yard gain and Matt Gledhill caught a 20 yard pass to get Windham into the red zone.  After a few plays, Jackson Taylor would put the ball in the end zone on a two yard keeper.  Matt Coffee would boot the PAT to give the Eagles the 14-0 lead to end the half.

 

Windham's #22 TJ Robbins grabs the ankle of Bonny Eagle running back Nick Adkins and slows him down. David Field photo.

 

After the kick off, the Eagles picked up where they left off in the first half starting from their own 24 yard line.  After a handful of plays, Jack Mallis ran 42 yards to the Scots 2 yard line.  The play was nullified on a holding penalty.  Windham wouldn’t be able to advance again and was forced to punt.  Windham’s defense held and Bonny Eagle punted away.  Windham moved the ball, but the Scot defense wasn’t allowing much.  Tucker Miller punted the ball to the Bonny Eagle one yard line and the Scots had to work deep out of their zone. 

 

The Eagles get some air. Jack Mallis and Matt Gledhill defend on the pass to Bonny Eagle receiver #84 Cameron McKague. David Field photo.

 

Bonny Eagle started the fourth quarter on their own 27.  The Scots put together a quick passing and running attack and advanced to the Eagle 18.  On fourth down and four yards, Ryan Nason found Jeff Amell on a pass play that Amell got into the end zone on.  Nate Martel chipped in the PAT to make the score 14-7. 

 

Jackson Taylor hands off to Jack Mallis. Mallis was a huge focal point of the Bonny Eagle defense. David Field photo.

 

Windham started on their own 29.  After Jackson Taylor was called for intentional grounding, Windham was forced to punt.  The Scots took possession on the Eagle 46.  After two botched plays, the Eagle defense sacks Nason to set up fourth and 14.  However, Nason would redeem himself by throwing a pass to get the first down.  The Scots then proceeded to move up the field.  Windham would be called for a facemask and Bonny Eagle would have first and goal.  Nason would take the ball on the QB keep to put the Scots on the board again.  The PAT was good to tie the game. 

 

Tucker Miller boots a punt. David Field photo.

 

Windham would be forced to punt and Bonny Eagle would take a knee to end the game in regulation. 

 

The Windham stands were packed with fans. With the sun shining, temperatures were a cool 45 degrees, but it did little to cool the enthusiasm during the game. David Field photo.

 

In overtime, the Scots got on the board in two plays and kicked the PAT to put the pressure on the Windham Eagles.   Windham started with a pass play to Matt Gledhill and he advanced to the four yard line.  Mallis carried the ball two times to get the Eagles to the two yard line.  Mallis would get the call again and would find the end zone.  Windham opted for a two point conversion and after a time out on both sides, the play began.   Jackson Taylor was flushed out of the pocket and found Jake Darling dashing across the end zone to give Windham the extra point needed to seal the victory. 

 

After the game, Jackson Taylor credited Jake Darling with making the catch.  “It wasn’t a very good pass but Jake made the play by making a great catch.” 

 

 

Windham will face Cheverus, who upset number one seed Thornton Academy 36-7, next Saturday in Windham. 

 

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