Freeport’s Aidan Michaud (left) catches the ball near the sidelines as Dirigo’s Cole Brown defends on the play in midseason football action in Freeport. (Eric Maxim / The Times Record)
FREEPORT — Last Spring, the completion of the $4.2 million Joan Benoit Samuelson Track and Field brought a tsunami of enthusiasm and school spirit for Freeport/Pownal/Durham communities.
The wave of excitement and school pride continues to surge as the district’s football program (second grade through high school)) reached new heights not only on the scoreboard, but also in sportsmanship, pride and character.
There are few teams, at any level that can boast a perfect season. This year, the Freeport Middle School team exceeded its own expectations by joining those ranks with a remarkable and undefeated season. The Falcons were victorious over Cape Elizabeth, Bath, Yarmouth/Greely, Gray/New Gloucester, Sacopee Valley and Westbrook.
Most exciting, Freeport won the “Battle of the Bay,” the traditional season finale between Freeport and Yarmouth teams. This year the “Battle of the Bay” was played on Freeport’s new turf field against a combined Greely/Yarmouth, with a final score of 39-22.
Freeport youth teams also had strong, winning seasons. The Peewee team ended with 5-1 record and Youth Varsity ended 5-2. Further, all three teams (Peewee, Youth jayvee and Youth varsity) teams were awarded the Sportsmanship Award for display of sportsmanship behavior throughout the season by league officials. The teams were presented the Maine Sportsmanship League Trophy at halftime of the high school semifinal game on Saturday.
And that’s not all. The Freeport High School varsity football team is playing this upcoming Saturday (12:30 p.m.) in the State Class E State Championship, facing Dirigo. After finishing a phenomenal regular season with 7-1 record, Freeport beat Camden Hills, 12-6, in a semifinal.
Now comes the Cougars, also an 8-1 squad that Freeport handled 34-14 on Sept. 28. Like that game, the contest will be played on the Joan Benoit Samuelson Track and Field.
It is hard to overstate how much excitement and energy you can feel as a spectator at the new stadium, and how important it is for these teams to hear cheering from the stands. Come on out this Saturday and bask in the glow of community spirit, athletic excellence and Falcon Pride.
Freeport’s Natalie Anderson jumps into the arms of Alexa Koenig after Keonig scored a late goal to give Freeport the lead in a playoff match. Joining in the celebration to the left is Kerry Lefebvre. (Shawn Patrick Ouellette / Portland Press Herald)
A rainbow hovers over Joan Benoit Samuelson Track and Field before the Freeport High School boys soccer team’s practice. (Eric Maxim / The Times Record)
Freeport players celebrate seconds after beating Cape Elizabeth, 3-2, in the Class B South Regional Final at Freeport. (Brianna Soukup / Portland Press Herald).
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