sponsored by
09/05/2009
enlarge
Staff photo by Joe Phelanfrom the Kennebec Journal
Burglars hit Route 27 store
READFIELD 3 injured when car hits bus
HOSPITALS RESTRICT VISITORS
Signature battle over tax reform
Waterville coke raid hits popular business
DISTRICT COURT
Red Claws debut offers fun that Mainers can grow to love
Despite turnovers, Claws happy to see game action
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Kennebec Journal
from the Morning Sentinel
Burglars hit Route 27 store
Both sides press the issue
School board to vote on Quimby tonight
BOB-IN RING GOES DOWN
Hospitals restrict visitors due to flu
Monmouth police budget to get 5th try
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY: Lam takes home runner of year award
Red Claws could make pro hoop work in Maine
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Morning Sentinel
READFIELD -- An air horn blared, three coaches exchanged high-fives and a sea of Black Bears charged the freshly lit field.
After shaking hands with their opponent, members of the Maranacook Community High School football team then raced to the far end zone and yelled in unison, "One, two, three, Ricky!"
Indeed, they would later say, this one was for their teammate and friend Ricky Gibson III, who died in April with an inoperable brain tumor.
In an emotional night, Maranacook edged Traip Academy 13-6 on Ricky Gibson Field of Dreams. It marked the first game played under lights at Maranacook.
"It was pretty awesome," said Maranacook sophomore tailback Luke Emery, who rushed for 87 yards and a pair of touchdowns. "Playing under the lights, it was pretty special."
Added senior tailback Henry Norwood, who rushed for 34 yards: "It was unbelievable. The lights coming down on you. I can't explain it."
It was clear from the get-go that Gibson wasn't far from the team's minds.
"This was for Ricky," said senior end Ben Johnson. "It was for him."
Maranacook first-year coach Joe Emery said the program sorely needed this come-from-behind victory Friday night, which about 300 fans witnessed.
"I think there was some pent-up frustration and emotions from Ricky's death and the losses we had last year," he said. "We needed this one. This is huge. We needed to start off on the right foot. We need the kids to believe in themselves. I didn't want them to start feeling that 'here we go again' feeling again."
The Black Bears didn't feel that way on this night.
After a scoreless first quarter, Traip grabbed a 6-0 lead when Mike Collins rushed for a 78-yard touchdown on an apparent busted play with 8 minutes, 12 seconds left in the second quarter.
Collins rushed left, stuttered, then changed direction and headed right. He beat two defenders wide then sprinted the sideline untouched for the score.
The Black Bears bounced back about six minutes later, when Emery rushed for a 9-yard touchdown. Erik Ogren kicked the extra point to give Maranacook a 7-6 lead it never relinquished.
The touchdown came after Traip botched a punt from its own 29-yard line. Senior Eric Spear punted the ball into one of his teammates and Maranacook recovered at the Traip 6. Two plays later, Emery rushed off tackle for the score.
"I got some good blocks and just ran full steam ahead," Emery said.
Emery rushed for a 32-yard touchdown with just less than 10 minutes left in the game. The Black Bears missed the extra point, however, and Traip had one last chance late to even the game. The Rangers, with 4 minutes left, drove from their 33 to the Maranacook 38.
But the drive ended there, when Johnson chased down Sears and forced a bad throw on a fourth-and-9 situation.
"It was a fight until the end," Johnson said. "The fourth quarter was tough."
Bill Stewart -- 623-3811, ext. 515
bstewart@centralmaine.com
Reader comments
Click here to view or add reader comments