12/04/2008
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Staff photo by Jim Evansfrom the Kennebec Journal
QUESTIONS REMAIN
No complaints from those who switched to Somerset County center
Vote on 1 may hurt some in election
Steeple at center of debate in Whitefield
VETERANS REQUIRE ASSISTANCE: Homelessness takes center stage
J.P. DEVINE: Overcome sadness with hope
BASKETBALL: NBA Hall of Famer Barry doles out advice at Thomas College
HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY: Maranacook sophomore Mace dominates Class B field
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Kennebec Journal
from the Morning Sentinel
A year later, families await answers on fatalities
Owner of topless coffee shop on the comeback trail
Officials report cheaper, better service after switch
Two people in critical condition
Young Marines stick to program
Issue of homeless veterans at center stage
GIRLS SOCCER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP: Winslow falls to York in Class B
Bard hits her marathon stride
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Morning Sentinel
Staff Writer
ake Steele admitted that during the football preseason he wasn't sure how the ball would be shared in a crowded Winthrop High School backfield.
Steele, who missed all of last season with a shoulder injury, returned this fall to the Ramblers, who also featured backs Skylar Whaley, Joe Morey and Riley Cobb.
But in a season in which the Ramblers rode their ground game to the Class C state championship game, it was Steele who stood out and led the way.
For his performance this season, Steele is the Kennebec Journal Football Player of the Year. Gardiner junior tailback Forrest Chadwick and teammate Andy Kelley, a tackle, were also considered.
"We had talked about the backfield at the end of last season," Steele said. "We were all like, 'Wow, our backfield is going to be loaded.' We weren't sure how it would work out. We were a little skeptical on who would get the carries."
Winthrop coach Joel Stoneton stuck to his plan of rotating all four backs, who all finished within 40 carries of each other.
However, it was Steele who emerged as the most dominant. He rushed for nine touchdowns and a team-high 801 yards. He also had 78 receiving yards. Defensively, Steele shined as an outside linebacker, finishing second on the team with 89 tackles. Steele also had a team-high 246 return yards and took one punt back for a touchdown.
"He's an explosive player," Stoneton said. "A lot of people at the end of the year saw what he brought to the table. You have to account for him. He brought great leadership and was just a force."
Steele's running style contrasted that of Morey, Cobb and Whaley. A shifty runner, Steele thrived on the cutback and making others miss. His biggest touchdown of the season came via the cutback, a 9-yard run with 7 minutes, 40 seconds left that snapped a 6-6 game against fellow Campbell Conference unbeaten Dirigo.
"We had been kind of tearing up the schedule," Steele said. "It was our first big game. We had come into the game planning to throw the ball a little and spread it out, but we kind of went into ground and pound. I scored that go-ahead touchdown and it was such a big game. That was a key moment."
Added Stoneton: "It was a toss left, and he saw a small opening and he cut it back. The second I saw him do it, it was brilliant. It was the most influential run I've ever seen out of Jake. He deked the whole defense with a matter of two cuts."
Winthrop linebacker Andrew Smithgall said Steele helped carry the Ramblers.
"He's an incredible athlete," he said. "I loved playing with that kid. He's just a stud. He helped us go to the states. He was key to that."
Steele followed up the Dirigo performance with a nice playoff run, including a monster performance in the conference championship game against Lisbon -- 129 yards and three touchdowns.
"I felt I showed some people what I could do," Steele said. "It was a big game for me to show that I could hold me own. I was back."
Bill Stewart -- 623-3811, ext. 515
bstewart@centralmaine.com
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