FREEPORT HIGH SCHOOL running back Jared Polley (34) follows the blocking of teammate Ben MacMillan (20) in a Campbell Conference football game against Winthrop on Saturday at the Pownal Recreation Field. Polley scored on the play and his Falcons rolled to a 52-30 victory to improve to 4-3. Freeport hosts Yarmouth this upcoming Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
Saturday’s sun-soaked afternoon Campbell Conference football contest started off brilliantly for Freeport High School against Winthrop.
A first-quarter touchdown, another in the second, a blocked bunt and a third score gave the hosts a 21-0 lead with 4:16 remaining until halftime, with little sign the Ramblers had anything left for the Falcons.
Winthrop didn’t win the game, falling 52-30, but the Ramblers showed Freeport and coach Rob Grover there is much work to be done prior to the playoffs.
“It is not the way you want to play as you’re getting ready for the playoffs. We have to get stronger in pass defense,” said Grover after his Falcons improved to 4-3 despite allowing 170 yards passing to Winthrop quarterback Jared Hanson. “You can’t ever stop playing. I don’t think we did, but a couple big plays by their quarterback hurt us.”
“We have been looking for some passion and heart, and they did that today,” said Winthrop coach Joel Stoneton after his team was eliminated from playoff contention with a 2-5 record. “I was about ready to put the jayvees in, and the starters said ‘no way.’ They wanted to get it done. That says something about them.”
Freeport 21-0
Winthrop kept the Falcons out of the endzone on Freeport’s first drive of the day, which bogged down at the W-8. But, Freeport held on defense to force a punt, and drove 53 yards, with Ben MacMillan scoring on a 4- yard touchdown run for a 7-0 lead.
A Dan Burke touchdown and point-after kick by James Purdy gave the hosts a 14-0 edge. Freeport’s defense held, with Purdy and MacMillan blocking Winthrop’s punt to set the Falcons up with good field position. A 4-yard TD run by Jared Polley made for a 21-0 contest.
“We felt we could run inside all day and we did,” said Grover after the Freeport offense racked up 405 yards on the ground on 59 carries.
“We threw three different fronts at them, but they just run it so well,” said Stoneton. “They were able to overrun us, and then run a counter. They are good at that.”
Winthrop hung in, getting a 4-yard touchdown run by Danny Moody just before halftime, with Hanson hooking up with Mario Meucci for the first of his three 2-point conversion receptions.
The Ramblers drew to within 21-16 on their first drive of the second half as Moody scored his second TD, this time on a 7-yard scamper, and Winthrop’s Tyler Stockford recovered a Freeport fumble on the ensuing kickoff to give the Ramblers good field position.
But, Freeport held and drove 60 yards, with Purdy scoring from the W-6 for a 29- 16 advantage. A Burke interception on Winthrop’s next play from scrimmage, and a Polley 18-yard run to paydirt, gave the Falcons a seemingly comfortable 37-16 lead.
Winthrop wasn’t through, with Hanson finding Dakota Carter (eight receptions, 90 yards, TD) for a 20-yard strike, and Hanson’s third TD toss, this one to Meucci, drew the Ramblers to 37-30 with 9:51 remaining.
Freeport put together a solid, game-clinching drive, scoring on a 24-yard run by Joe Nixon, and MacMillan’s second TD run with 1:31 remaining capped the scoring and Freeport’s 52-30 victory.
Burke paced Freeport with 200 yards rushing on 26 carries, with Nixon adding 84 and Polley 67. Burke had 11 tackles, with Purdy chipping in eight stops.
Casey Nadeau led the Winthrop defense with 12 tackles, while Zach Nadeau and John Sullivan each recovered a fumble. Hanson was 15- of-34 passing, with three touchdowns and two interceptions.
Freeport 52,
Winthrop 30
Winthrop — 0 8 14 8 — 30
Freeport — 7 14 16 15 — 52
At Pownal Recreation Field
First quarter
F — Ben MacMillan 4 run (James Purdy
kick), 3:57.
Second quarter
F — Dan Burke 9 pass from James Purdy
(James Purdy kick), 7:28.
F — Jared Polley 4 run (James Purdy
kick), 4:16.
W — Danny Moody 4 run (Mario Meucci
pass from Jared Hanson), 2:35.
Third quarter
W — Danny Moody 4 run (Mario Meucci
pass from Jared Hanson), 8:31.
F — James Purdy 6 run (Joe Nixon run),
4:16.
F — Jared Polley 18 run (Dan Burke run),
3:45.
W — Dakota Carter 20 pass from Jared
Hanson (run failed), 2:50.
Fourth quarter
W — Mario Meucci 7 pass from Jared
Hanson (Mario Meucci pass from Jared
Hanson), 9:51.
F — Joe Nixon 24 run (Dan Burke run),
6:54.
F — Ben MacMillan 1 run (James Purdy
kick), 1:31.
Records — Freeport 4-3, Winthrop 2-5.
Next for the Falcons — Saturday at home
against Yarmouth, 1:30 p.m.
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