WATERBORO — The Saco Junior Trojans continued their recent dominance of the Southern Maine Youth Football League Atlantic Division on Sunday as they picked up a 26-0 win over the Massabesic Junior Mustangs to win their fourth straight Gold Ball.
Sunday’s outcome was a big turnaround from the first time the Mustangs and Trojans met back in the first week of the season. Massabesic earned a 24-14 win in early September.
“We talk about a word of the week every week and this week’s word was redemption,” said Saco coach Brian Cyr. “We thought it was important that they come here and play well and see how the game plays out.”
The Junior Trojans entered the championship game fired up and looking to avenge their regular-season loss to the Mustangs.

“We came in here with a lot more intensity and ready to go,” said Saco eighth grader Mason Collins, who scored two touchdowns in the win.
Saco opened the scoring when Hayden Whitney scooped up a fumble and returned it for a touchdown with 1:12 left in the opening quarter to make it 6-0.
“I just saw the ball and I wanted to pick it up and score. I did it in the Bonny Eagle (game) and I thought I would try to do it again,” said Whitney on his scoop and score.
The Saco lead would expand to 14-0 when Collins rumbled into the end zone from 14 yards out. The eighth grader also added the 2-point conversion run and the Trojans were in control with 6:52 left in the first half.
Collins added another touchdown run late in the third quarter to put Saco up 20-0.
The final score of the game would come from Whitney, who scored on a 1-yard run to make it 26-0 — and the celebration was on.
Despite the tough loss, Massabesic coach Dave Castro was proud of his team’s effort and excited to see the growth of the program in recent years.
“It’s great. We went (to the championship game) a couple years ago and we really wanted to turn the program around. Going to that first state championship kind of got a lot of kids out and a lot of excitement, so these last few years we’ve just had so much participation and so many kids come out. In fact we had 58 kids sign up this year and it was such a big deal,” said Castro.
Castro is hoping this season will provide another boost to the program.
“I think a couple years ago was the turnaround. I think this year was that next season of the turnaround. We’re just trying to keep that going and keep the participation up and keep it rolling and try to keep coming back here as many years as we can,” Castro said.

The Massabesic Middle School coach was also happy to see MHS varsity head coach Eric Ouellette, assistant coach Cory Woodsome and former Mustangs’ coach John Morin on the sidelines on Sunday.
“It’s great. Those guys will show up for practice and help out whenever they can. Just having them around is important because now the kids get to see them and they know how to contact the high school coaches and they know the high school coaches care,” said Castro. “It’s really big to see them here because it’s going to help them bring kids out and keep kids.”
Both coaches were thrilled to see a large crowd on hand to watch the championship showdown at Massabesic High School.
“The crowd is great. We travel really well. If this would have been away our stands would have been full and I know Saco travels really well. Just having (these) two teams here, I knew the place was going to be packed,” Castro said.
“We always travel well. Whether it’s the middle school or high school and I think today is no exception,” added Cyr.
The big crowd didn’t affect at least one of the Trojans.
“I didn’t really pay any attention to (the crowd). I just thought about playing my hardest,” Whitney said.

Cyr has now won five Atlantic Division titles in his eight years at the helm of the Junior Trojans.
“I have a lot of pride in representing the community as the middle school head coach,” said Cyr. “It means a lot to have a good support system from the community and the parents.”
The Saco coach is happy his team can continue to be a solid feeder system for the Thornton Academy program.
“With every sport it’s important that the youth sports are going well and that feeds into the high school program,” Cyr said.
Saturday’s victory was also the first time Cyr was able to lead a team to a road win in the Gold Ball game.
“We played our best game of the season, so it was nice to finally get a road victory in a championship game. It means a lot to the community and to the program,” Cyr said.
One reason the Trojans were able to get the job done on Sunday is the incredible bond the players share, according to Collins.
“All brothers. All family. All together,” said Collins.
— Sports Editor Pat McDonald can be reached at [email protected] or at 780-9017. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.