Cheverus 27

Scarborough 6

It’s only preseason. The games don’t count.

That’s the solace the Scarborough Red Storm can take as they shake off a loss to Cheverus in their final preseason game and get ready for their home opener this Friday night against Biddeford.

On Aug. 29, as the tourists were pouring into Maine for the start of the Labor Day weekend, the Red Storm hosted the Cheverus Stags in a preseason scrimmage.

Scarborough had trouble stopping the Cheverus running attack in the first half, as the Stags were able to move the ball up the field, with running back Matt Ball breaking off a big run as he broke around the end with 9:01 left in the first quarter and went 47 yards to give Cheverus its first touchdown of the game. Ryan McQuaid added the extra point for the Stags and Cheverus had a 7-0 lead.

After Scarborough was unable to go anywhere on their first drive, they were unable to get a punt off, and Cheverus took over on the Storm 20. The Stags took advantage of the opportunity as Ball sliced through the middle of the to give Cheverus its second touchdown with 6:48 to go in the first quarter. Another McQuaid extra point made the score 14-0.

But the Red Storm didn’t let that get them down. After taking over on their own 20, quarterback Max Erwin hit Peter Tuma on a screen, and Tuma blasted down the sideline for a big gain. However, the drive stalled and Scarborough was forced to punt.

With time running out in the first quarter, Cheverus took over on the Red Storm 48, and after a five-yard gain on first down, the Stags lined up to pass.

But Scarborough’s Kristopher Gergler had other ideas.

Gergler broke through the Cheverus line and hauled down Stags’ quarterback Peter Gwilym for a seven-yard loss as time expired in the first quarter.

As the second quarter started, Gergler came up big once again. Just nine seconds into the quarter, Gergler once again got through the Stags line and sacked Gwilym from behind. This time, however, he forced a fumble, and the Storm’s Brian Woodbury pounced on the loose ball to give the Storm a first down at the Scarborough 45.

Unfortunately for Scarborough, they were unable to capitalize on the turnover, and gave the ball back to Cheverus on a fumble two plays later.

However, the Red Storm stayed focused on defense and were able to get the ball right back. On second and 10 from the Scarborough 37, Cheverus attempted to pass the ball downfield, and Scarborough’s Will Wohltjen jumped in front of pass and returned the interception to the Storm 41.

This time, the Red Storm had more success moving the ball behind quarterback Kyle Kelley.

Kelley started out the drive by hitting Gergler for a seven-yard gain, and then after a couple of incompletions, the Storm elected to go for it on fourth and three from the Storm 49. The gamble paid off as back Adam Jordan was able to pick up the necessary yards to keep the drive alive.

The Storm also got another big break when, after a pass from Kelley to Gergler, the Stags were called for an unsportsmanlike conduct personal foul, moving the ball to the Cheverus 27. Kelley then hit Garrett Alofs down the Cheverus sideline for a 15-yard gain and the Storm had a first down at the Cheverus 12.

But that’s as far as they got, as the Red Storm was unable to connect on four straight passes, turning the ball over on downs.

The Stags, taking over on their own 12, then marched down the field on a 14-play, 88-yard drive that culminated in a Matt Place touchdown with 1:46 left in the first half. McQuaid added his third extra point of the game and the two teams went into halftime with Cheverus in front 21-0.

Taking over where they left off in the first half, the Stags opened the third quarter with another extended drive, going 43 yards in 7:11, in a drive that featured a fine defensive stand by Scarborough, fighting off a first and goal situation from their own 8, penalties and sacks by Tuma and Peter Doyer forced the Stags to try a McQuaid field goal. He missed wide left, and the Red Storm took over on their own 15.

The two teams exchanged possessions for the rest of the quarter and went into the fourth quarter with the Stags still on top 21-0.

Cheverus went up 27-0 with 10:49 left in the game as Eric Bryant took in a one-yard touchdown run. The two-point attempt was no good, leaving the score 27-0.

On the ensuing drive, it appeared that the Red Storm were going to be stopped once again, but they caught what was perhaps their biggest break of the game when Billy Wahrer jumped on a fumble on a muffed fair catch attempt on a Scarborough punt, giving the Red Storm new life on the Stags’ 43.

This time, the Storm took advantage of the turnover, marching down the field behind big carries from Tuma, Glen Googins and Nick Neugebauer. Anthony Cofone got the Red Storm on the scoreboard as he burst through the middle of the Stags’ line for a three-yard touchdown run, making the final score 27-6.

Despite the loss, Scarborough has to focus on getting ready to host Biddeford this Friday night in the 2008 home opener for the Red Storm. Scarborough is hoping for a better result than last year when the Tigers narrowly beat the Red Storm 14-7 in Biddeford last year.

Scarborough 2008 football schedule

Date Opponent Time

Sept. 5 Biddeford 7 p.m.

Sept. 12 @ Sanford 7 p.m.

Sept. 19 Thornton Academy 7 p.m.

Sept. 26 @ Noble 7 p.m.

Oct. 3 Portland 7 p.m.

Oct. 10 @ Marshwood 7 p.m.

Oct. 17 Massabesic 7 p.m.

Oct. 24 @ Kennebunk 7 p.m.

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