10 YEARS AGO …
Class D football was played for the first time since 1986 on Sept. 6, 2013. Among the schools competing in the state’s smallest classification was Monmouth Academy, which was returning to varsity football in league with Winthrop — a co-op that still exists a decade later, and has since added Hall-Dale and Kents Hill. The Ramblers’ first game was postponed a day due to a malfunction of the lights at Maxwell Field. Winthrop/Monmouth and Lisbon played a day later, and the Ramblers, with newfound depth, defeated the Greyhounds 14-8.
The day before, Oxford Hills running back Malik Geiger had an outstanding season debut, carrying the ball 39 times for 237 yards and three touchdowns, including a 69-yard scamper in the fourth quarter that broke a 28-28 tie with Lewiston. The Vikings won 34-28 without completing a pass, but they ran for 353 yards.
20 YEARS AGO …
In what was described as “the best bad game imaginable,” Mountain Valley edged Leavitt 19-18 in Turner on Sept. 5. Falcons junior Korey Stairs and Leavitt’s Brandon Hinkley each intercepted three passes, and each returned one of those picks for a TD, Staires for 66 yards and Hinkley for 45 yards. Mountain Valley’s Zach Fergola also returned an interception for a score, in the fourth quarter to put the Falcons up 19-12. Mountain Valley also turned away two 2-point conversions in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
That same day, Lewiston’s James Spaulding ran for 234 yards and four touchdowns in a 55-6 win over Windham. Spaulding set the tone with a 63-yard run on the first play from scrimmage. The Blue Devils finished with 490 yards, all on the ground.
30 YEARS AGO …
Marshwood entered the Sept. 10 game intent on slowing down Lewiston running back Troy Kyajohnian. The Hawks’ intentions weren’t enough. Kyajohnian ran for 231 yards on 25 carries to lead the Blue Devils to a 14-6 home win over Marshwood. Lewiston also got 56 yards on 13 carries from Mark Pettingill.
John Gianopoulos tossed a screen pass to David Smirles on third-and-11 that went for a 94-yard touchdown early in the game, and Stan Bubier ran for 114 yards as Leavitt, then a beleaguered program, defeated Lisbon 20-8. “This is the biggest win in years for Leavitt,” Hornets head coach Bill County said.
Also that day, David Polky of Livermore Falls gained 121 yards on the ground and the Andies scored 27 unanswered points to defeat Madison 27-12. The following day, Winthrop newcomers Conan Michel (30 carries, 95 yards) and Steve Contreras (two touchdown catches, one interception on defense) led the Ramblers to a 20-18 win over Oak Hill. Also, TJ Plourde ran for 93 yards, Mike Couillard 77 and QB Mark Fournier 70 yards as Jay pummeled Morse 27-6.
40 YEARS AGO …
Edward Little overcame a zero-yard first half and a 12-point deficit to end an eight-game losing streak by beating Deering 14-12 on Sept. 10. The Red Eddies entered the fourth quarter trailing 12-0. On the first play of the final period, halfback John Rabasco took a handoff and bolted around the right end, cut inside and ran 43 yards for a score. On the Rams’ next drive, Mike Carbonneau caused a fumble that was recovered by Don Hawley at the Deering 4-yard line. After a delay of game penalty, Edward Little quarterback Jeff Taylor threw to Jim Witherall in the corner of the end zone for the go-ahead play.
A day earlier, Dirigo quarterback Wayne Clark threw for 209 yards and three touchdowns as the Cougars routed Livermore Falls 28-0, while Travis Mayo ran for 106 yards and Ron Anair scored twice in Winthrop’s 18-8 win over Mexico.
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