Riley Reed

Liberty Ladd

MALE:

RILEY REED, Senior-Football

• Campbell Conference Class B all-star, first-team

• Captain

Reed is going off to college to play lacrosse, but he certainly left his mark on the gridiron at Falmouth, where he produced a strong senior season, helping the Yachtsmen make yet another run to the playoffs.

Reed started playing football in the first grade, saw limited varsity time as a freshman, then became a fixture as a sophomore, seeing snaps as a running back on offense and a linebacker on defense. As a junior, Reed only carried the ball 57 times, but he averaged nearly eight yards per rush. This fall, Reed was the man for the offense and he didn’t disappoint.

Reed ran for 1,060 yards, the third-highest total in program history, and scored 10 touchdowns. He also had 230 receiving yards.

Highlights included 105 yards, including a 63-yard touchdown, in a win over Brewer, a program-record 262 yards in a win over Gorham, 180 yards, including TD scampers of 77- and 67-yards, in a victory over Biddeford and 86 yards and a touchdown in a “Battle of Route 9” win over rival Greely. Reed then scored one final TD in a semifinal round loss to Marshwood.

Defensively, Reed had 90 tackles, the third-most in program history.

“I was happy with the season,” Reed said. “We really came together well.

“I love football. I love the team aspect. You have to be bigger, faster and stronger and beat the person across from you. I’m extremely competitive. I want to win, have fun and be the best.”

Reed is one of the state’s premier lacrosse players and he will compete in that sport at Merrimack University in North Andover, Massachusetts next year.

His football accomplishments, meanwhile, won’t soon be forgotten. Riley Reed, Falmouth’s Fall Male Athlete of the Year, helped make his team the best it could be and he rewrote the record book in the process.

Coach John Fitzsimmons’ comment: “Riley has been a pleasure to coach and has been a key player in our success. He was a team leader who led by example. He always put the team first and was supportive of his teammates. He gave 100 percent in every game, on every play. Whether turning the corner and using his speed for a long run or coming up fast and making a sweeping tackle of a running back, Riley epitomized a gifted athlete who loves the game. He’s respected and admired by his teammates and his coaches and we’ll miss him.”

Prior winners:

2017 Jack Bryant (football)

2016 Jeremiah Sands (cross country)

2015 Connor Aube (football)

2014 Bryce Murdick (cross country)

2013 Joe Lesniak (golf)

2012 J.P. White (soccer)

2011 Andrew Murry (soccer)

2010 Tim Follo (cross country)

2009 Gabe Hoffman-Johnson (soccer)

2008 Gabe Hoffman-Johnson (soccer)

2007 Jack Wyman (golf)

2006 Nick Ford (football)

2005 Adam Packard (golf)

2004 Connor Hollowell (soccer)

2003 Jimmy Velas (soccer)

2002 Brandon Bonsey (cross country)

2001 Brian Giggey (golf)

FEMALE:

LIBERTY LADD, Senior-Field hockey

• Miss Maine Field Hockey finalist

• All-state

• All-state, All-Academic

• SMAA Faith Littlefield co-Player of the Year

• SMAA all-star, first-team

• SMAA All-Academic

• Captain

Ladd was a student-athlete extrordinaire, excelling on the field as well as in the classroom and community, and she led the Yachtsmen to a memorable season.

Ladd moved to Falmouth from Georgia in the seventh grade and began playing field hockey as a goalie. She moved to midfield in high school and soon made her presence felt both as an offensive threat and a defensive force. Ladd was named all-conference and all-state as a junior and this year, she and her teammates had a season to remember.

Ladd scored three goals and added three assists, but that doesn’t even begin to tell the story. Opposing teams tried to neutralize her with multiple defenders, but she couldn’t be stopped. When the other team took a penalty corner, it would be Ladd flying out of the goal to break it up.

Ladd helped Falmouth to a sparkling 9-3-2 record and in the Class A South quarterfinals, Ladd had a goal and an assist to lead the way to a 2-1 win over Gorham. The Yachtsmen then took eventual state champion Biddeford to the wire in the semifinals before falling, 1-0.

“We surprised a lot of people this year, but not ourselves,” Ladd said. “I love my teammates. My teammates and my love of the sport motivate me. I’m very competitive.”

Ladd is one of five finalists for the highest field hockey honor in the state, the Miss Maine Field Hockey award.

Description of Ladd’s on-field exploits can go on and on, but they’re overshadowed by what she does off the field.

Ladd, who also plays softball for Falmouth, is a member of Robotics, Civics Club, the Math team, Speech and Debate, Theater, the Improv Club and has been a member of the Maine State Board of Education since 2016, representing students in policy decisions in the First Congressional District. She’s even appeared in the nation’s capital, where she spoke at the National Blue Ribbon Ceremony.

Ladd plans to study political science and chemistry in college (she was waiting to hear from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts, her top choice, at press time). She will receive a full scholarship from the Air Force and will take part in ROTC. Then, she plans to go to law school.

From there, the sky is the limit. Liberty Ladd, Falmouth’s Fall Female Athlete of the Year, is a very accomplished and impressive young lady and oh by the way, she’s a dynamic field hockey talent as well.

Coach Robin Haley’s comment: “Liberty has had quite a year and a career in field hockey. She was involved in every facet of the game, offensively and defensively. She had a presence on the field. From the first tick of the clock until the final buzzer, Liberty played with the same amount of effort. She’s coachable, hard-working, team-oriented, displays tremendous sportsmanship and is very approachable. She’s also very humble. She’s gracious about receiving a compliment, but prefers to recognize the success of others. She made a huge impact on our program is so many ways. I’m proud of what she has accomplished and how she has represented Falmouth field hockey.”

Prior winners:

2017 Sofie Matson (cross country)

2016 Malaika Pasch (cross country)

2015 Sydney Bell (field hockey)

2014 Elle Fitzgerald (field hockey)

2013 Riley Burfeind (volleyball)

2012 Cassie Darrow (soccer)

2011 Caitlin Bucksbaum (soccer)

2010 Kate Sparks (volleyball)

2009 Emma Wilberg (volleyball)

2008 Nicole Foley (field hockey)

2007 Maddie Grygiel (cross country)

2006 Emily Bowden (field hockey)

2005 Riley Haddock (field hockey)

2004 Riley Haddock (field hockey)

2003 Hannah Millick (field hockey)

2002 Ali Hollowell (field hockey)

2001 Whitney Huse (soccer)

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @foresports.

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