Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

High School Notebook: A promising start for Stanley, Red Riots

By Mike Lowe mlowe@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

A lot of the excitement surrounding South Portland's football team this year is because of Jacob Stanley, a junior running back from Palm Beach, Fla.

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Andrew Libby of Thornton Academy avoids a tackle by Kennebunk's Madison Hanson during their season opener Friday in Saco. Thornton rolled to a 69-0 victory.

Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

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Danielle Torres of Yarmouth kicks the ball ahead as Brooke Heathco of Freeport closes in during their Western Maine Conference season opener Saturday at Freeport. Yarmouth won, 2-1.

Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

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Stanley actually lived in South Portland and played middle school football with many of the current Riots before his family moved south. Now he's back, and he gives the Riots an explosive edge.

He gained 31 yards on his first carry for South Portland in its 13-6 win Friday over defending Class A champion Windham. Stanley's second carry went for 39 yards and a touchdown. He finished with 126 yards, showing his speed and ability to shrug off tacklers. "He's a kid who gives us some pop," said Coach Steve Stinson.

And Stanley, who had ice on his ankle after the game, is glad to be back.

"They're real welcoming here," he said. "It's a nice family environment and we have great chemistry."

He's looking forward to a great season with the Riots.

"We worked extremely hard in the off-season and everyone is hungry," he said. "I've heard it's been a while since they made the playoffs. And it's time that we get back to the top. We're going to take it one game at a time."

MATT PERKINS, the Windham football coach, saw a lot of good things from his team despite its loss. Now, he said, the Eagles have to keep working.

"Our kids battled," he said. "They're passion and desire is high. It's just one of those things. We had a couple of breakdowns.

"We've got to just keep getting better. We don't have much time in between (games) now."

JOE RAFFERTY, in his 32nd year as head coach at Kennebunk, said his team's low numbers had a lot to do with the Rams' 69-0 loss to Thornton Academy.

""My kids were exhausted," he said. "When you're one deep and you're using that one kid on offense, defense, kickoffs, punts, he's going to get tired."

The heat and humidity didn't help either. The game-time temperature was about 85 degrees and the air was saturated.

"There's nothing you can do to prepare for 80 percent humidity," said Rafferty, "other than practicing in a sauna."

Rafferty was impressed with the Trojans, saying, "Clearly they are a very good team. There are not many weaknesses, if any."

Staff Writer Mike Lowe can be contacted at 791-6422 or at:

mlowe@pressherald.com