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11/03/2009
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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
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All of today's:
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from the Morning Sentinel
Staff Writer
It took awhile, but the Winthrop High School football team is finally playing tough defense.
And it couldn't come at a better time for the Ramblers (6-3), who play Saturday at top seed Dirigo (9-0) in a Campbell Conference Class C semifinal game.
Winthrop has allowed an average of 12.2 points during its last five games. It allowed about 29 per game in the first four.
Not coincidentally, the defending conference champs are in the midst of their longest winning streak -- three -- of the season.
"We started from scratch this year," Winthrop coach Joel Stoneton said. "We lost everyone on defense and we had to build it back up. It took some time, but we stuck with it. No one threw in the towel."
Starting senior corner Tyler Arsenault said it took awhile for the unit to come together.
"Basically, in the beginning, guys were in their own program," he said. "But now we're studying better, studying offenses better. Guys are finally figuring it out that if you follow what the coaches say you will make plays."
The Ramblers will certainly need to make some plays Saturday if they are to stun the Cougars, who average a conference-best 40 points a game.
"We have a huge challenge ahead of us," Stoneton said. "But this is a great time to be picking up momentum."
• • •
The stat of the week: No. 3 Gardiner is 25-6 during the last three seasons heading into its Pine Tree Conference Class B semifinal game Friday against No. 2 Morse.
Half of the Tigers' losses during that stretch have come against the Shipbuilders (7-2). The Shipbuilders have outscored the Tigers 42-13 in the three games.
Gardiner players and coaches can't explain it, but they acknowledge what the numbers suggest: The rivalry has been rather one-sided of late.
"Most teams, when they play Gardiner, want to step up, and Morse has stepped it up," said Gardiner senior Mike Phelps, who is a rover on defense.
The Tigers (7-2) lost to the Shipbuilders 7-0 earlier this season and 21-0 in the 2008 regular season. Gardiner won the 2007 Class B state championship and finished 11-1. The one loss? A 14-13 setback to Morse.
"We have to start to focus," Gardiner quarterback Forrest Chadwick said. "We lost a close one to them this year and we have to get mad about it."
• • •
Maranacook coach Joe Emery said he learned a lot in his first year.
"You have to have the ability to make changes in the game," he said. "You can't stay in the same sets against good coaches. You really have to adjust as you go along. We got better as we went along."
The Black Bears (4-5) dropped from Class B to Class C, and this season earned a berth in the Campbell Conference playoffs. Maranacook lost to Dirigo in the quarterfinals last weekend.
"Our goal was to make the playoffs," Emery said. "We had hoped to go a little further, but we had to play Dirigo. But we're headed in the right direction. Most of our team is coming back and we're looking forward to next season already."
• • •
With its season over, Cony still decided to watch film Monday of its 47-26 setback to Brunswick in the PTC A quarterfinals.
Cony coach Robby Vachon said he expects players to take a few weeks off before returning to the weight room in preparation for next season.
"The players understand the commitment," he said, "and what it takes to get into the playoffs."
The Rams (4-5) have reached the playoffs twice in three seasons, which Vachon said raises expectations.
"I think now we want to get that next level," he said. "The goal is to always make the playoffs, but we want to try and crack that top four and get a home game."
Luke Duncklee should return next season as one of the most dynamic players in the conference, if not the state. The junior quarterback finished with about 2,000 yards of offense.
"He is unbelievable," Vachon said. "He put up some fantastic numbers and really developed into a terrific quarterback."
• • •
Week 9 honor roll: Cony junior Luke Duncklee had 333 of the team's 335 yards of total offense in a 47-26 loss to Brunswick. He scored four touchdowns. ... Winthrop running back Eric Duplessis rushed for 129 yards in a 13-12 win over Lisbon. Winthrop quarterback Travis Luce also threw a late touchdown pass against Lisbon. ... Gardiner running back Alonzo Connor rushed for 143 yards and two touchdowns in a 35-0 win against Winslow.
Bill Stewart -- 623-3811, ext. 515
bstewart@centralmaine.com
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