WINDHAM – A solid ground game and strong defense propelled Windham to a 35-6 victory over Marshwood in a wet and windy Class A football game Friday night.
“We had a lot of focus on team effort this week and doing things well,” said Windham Coach Matt Perkins. “With this kind of weather, it really takes a full team effort to win.
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“They communicated well, dealt with the elements and I thought they did a really nice job teaming up, doing what we had to do.”
Windham (2-3) came out running and scored on five of its six first-half possessions. Quarterback Cody Laberge and running back Colby Waterhouse established themselves as the go-to players for the Eagles, accounting for four of the scores. They teamed up to drive the Eagles downfield on two occasions.
The first came on the Eagles’ second possession, during which Laberge and Waterhouse traded carries on a 68-yard drive. Waterhouse accounted for 33 yards and Laberge 35, including the drive-capping 2-yard run.
“We got a lot more aggressive out front and guys started to come off the ball,” said Perkins. “(Laberge and Waterhouse) ran really well. They ran a lot better than they have been, so I’m really happy with their efforts.”
Their next two-man drive began after an interception by Drew Gagnon set the Eagles up at midfield. After four carries by Waterhouse and one by Laberge, Windham faced a fourth-down situation. Laberge took the direct snap and broke downfield for a 32-yard touchdown, his third and Windham’s fifth of the game.
Laberge single-handedly scored Windham’s first points on a three-play drive. After an incomplete pass and 7-yard run, he scored on a 36-yard run.
Despite basically sticking to the ground offensively, the Eagles went up 29-0 when Laberge connected with Gagnon in the right corner of the end zone for a 20-yard score to cap a drive that started at Marshwood’s 45-yard line.
“It was nice to see all phases of the game come together,” said Perkins. “We haven’t had that yet, but tonight they were clicking and they were focused. We made sure the guys knew this was a big game for us.”
While Windham’s offense worked effectively, Marshwood, which had won two in a row, struggled on offense and defense.
A botched punt set up an easy Windham score early in the second quarter. A bad snap sailed passed the punter, who recovered the ball and tried to punt. Windham blocked the kick and took over at the 1-yard line.
Laberge then ran in from the 1 to put the Eagles up 21-0 on their second score in less than a minute.
“Windham did a great job,” said Marshwood Coach John Caverly. “Up front, their kids played outstanding.”
“We have some things that we could obviously work on, but I’m really proud of the effort. I know we’ll get better.”
Marshwood (2-3) scored its only touchdown in the fourth quarter on an 8-yard pass from Troy Pappas to Jack Verrill.
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