By Michael Hoffer
MaxPreps.com
Football: Cheverus Comes of Age
When legendary coach John Wolfgram took over the Cheverus football program in 2006, many felt it was just a matter of time until the Stags became a serious contender.
Saturday afternoon, Cheverus suggested that its arrival had come sooner than anyone could have anticipated when it won its biggest game to date in Wolfgram Era and provided the first major upset of the 2008 Western Class A season.
Hosting playoff regular Gorham, the regional champion just two years ago, the Stags made a huge statement with a 22-16 victory.
Cheverus had opened with a 46-6 home loss to defending champion Bonny Eagle, then made noise with a 20-12 upset victory at South Portland. Prior to facing the Rams, the Stags cruised at Westbrook, 37-12. Gorham had won its first two games (over South Portland and Portland) before losing a shootout to visiting Deering, 49-32.
The Rams got the jump Saturday, driving 48 yards in nine plays. Jonathan Day scored on a short run and a two-point conversion made it 8-0 Gorham. Cheverus would answer, however, marching 67 yards on 14 plays to tie the score. Matt Ball scored on a short TD run and William Walsh's two-point conversion run made it 8-8.
After a Gorham punt, the Stags moved 87 yards and took the lead for good on an 11-yard TD run from Andrew Poston. The Rams would answer and make it 15-14 when Doug Woods scored on a 41-yard scamper, but the two-point conversion failed and Cheverus took the lead into the half.
After a scoreless third, the Stags extended their lead to 22-14 behind a 61-yard, seven-play drive capped by a 20-yard Walsh run. Gorham then drove deep into Cheverus territory, but fumbled. The Stags could go nowhere, however, and had to punt from their end zone. The kick was blocked and fortunately for the hosts, rolled out of the end zone for a safety, making it 22-16. The Rams then got the ball at the Cheverus 47 after a free kick and had a chance to win it. The Stags defense had other ideas, putting up its most impressive stand of the afternoon and forced a four-and-out. Cheverus' offense then ran out the clock on the huge victory.
“It's a very good win,” Wolfgram said. “We knew we were a good team. We're just trying to move up the ladder in the league. This was an important step to beat a very good team.. Their offense is very good. No one stops them. We wanted to make them earn the field. We played with a strong resolution. I thought that was the key."
Cheverus hopes to improve to 4-1 Saturday afternoon when it hosts undefeated Massabesic.
Football: Huge Loss For Bonny Eagle
Defending champion Bonny Eagle has had no trouble on the field this fall, but the Scots suffered a monumental loss Thursday when they had to forfeit last weekend's 42-0 win over Westbrook after it was discovered the Scots used an ineligible player late in the game. The player was a transfer student.
The “loss” means Bonny Eagle is now 3-1 instead of 4-0 and even if the Scots beat top contender Deering in next week's showdown, they might not be able to attain enough Crabtree Points to have homefield advantage in the playoffs. The “win” elevates Westbrook into playoff consideration and could ultimately mean a team that would have qualified could be left on the outside looking in.
Michael Hoffer is the sports editor of The Forecaster, a family of weekly newspapers based in Falmouth. Michael can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net
