While Gavin Rawstron’s biggest contribution to the scoreboard was a 35-yard touchdown pass for Oak Hill, the Raiders’ sophomore quarterback also did plenty of damage to the Mountain Valley defense with his legs.
Rawstron ran the ball a team-high 21 times for 67 yards — also a team high. And while that rushing total might not be eye-popping, it included three kneeldowns for a combined minus-4 yards at the end of the game and an 8-yard sack, which Rawstron made up for two plays later with his touchdown pass to Liam Rodrigue on fourth down.
“I mean, they really didn’t do anything that we weren’t ready for, that we didn’t scout,” Mountain Valley coach Pat Mooney said. “It’s just, you know it’s coming, you got to step up and get it.”
Rawstron also was able to get enough of a forward gain while bouncing outside on a fourth-and-inches run to get a first down to keep alive a third-quarter drive that resulted in a Raiders touchdown.
“We told him to get what there was, and protect himself, and he did a very good job,” Oak Hill coach Stacen Doucette said.
RED ALERT
Edward Little coach Dave Sterling was amused whenever someone raised doubts about his team’s offense suffering after losing seven conference all-stars, including QB Grant Hartley.
“I would have a good chuckle anytime I heard someone say the offense would take a step back,” he said. “I’d say ‘You don’t know Leighton Girardin.'”
Girardin had the Red Eddies running in Friday’s 41-21 at Windham to improve to 2-1 on the season.
Led by the senior QB’s 144 yards and four TDs, EL rushed for over 200 yards while doubling-up the Eagles in total yardage, 364-181.
Girardin also had a 75-yard TD pass to Ricky Cote and 156 yards through the air overall.
Sterling liked how the offense controlled the tempo with its no huddle attack.
“We played with very good speed, which we need to do,” Sterling said. “We need to execute a little better to cut down on mistakes.”
The defense was solid against the run, allowing the Eagles 82 yards on 35 carries. A couple of breakdowns on pass defense led to both of Windham’s touchdowns.
“Defensively, we made a couple of mistakes that ended up putting them back in the ballgame,” he said. “The guys recognized they had done something wrong and learned from it. They understand we need to communicate better on the field,” Sterling said.
Senior Bobby Tremaine showed good burst and instincts, blocking a punt and recovering it at Windham’s 1 to set up one Girardin touchdown. He also got a piece of the Eagles’ next punt, which travelled 26 yards.
“Bobby has excellent speed,” Sterling said. “He ran a 4.6 40 (yard dash), so he’s a very good athlete.”
Edward Little returns home to Walton Field next week for a crossover game with Sanford, which will be bolstered by a 20-6 win over Oxford Hills.
“They do the same thing we do. They’re all about speed and athleticism on the field,” Sterling said.
Oak Hill quarterback, Gavin Rawstron tries to avoid the rush of Draven Finnegan of Mountain Valley during the first half in Rumford on Friday. (Daryn Slover/Sun Journal)
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