Big first quarter helps Foxcroft top Hampden
DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Foxcroft Academy Ponies got off to a fast start and the visiting Hampden Academy Broncos could not catch up during an interclass football game on Friday, Oct. 7. Class D Foxcroft built a 27-0 lead in the first quarter and won the team’s Homecoming game against the Class C North Broncos by a final score of 67-6 to improve to 4-1 on the season.
Hampden (1-5) would fumble the ball five times, four times losing possession to Foxcroft as part of six turnovers overall combined with two interceptions. The first of these lost fumbles came on the game’s opening drive with the Ponies recovering at the Bronco 15-yard line.
A completion by junior quarterback Wyatt Rayfield to classmate Kemsley Marsters moved the ball nine yards, and senior Cameron Chase’s 3-yard rush set up a 1st-and-goal at the 3. Here Rayfield threw a quick swing pass to the left to senior Caden Crocker and the receiver went into the end zone with ease.
CORRALLING A BRONCO — Foxcroft Academy junior Hunter McSorley brings down Hampden Academy senior Logan Burns for a 3-yard loss during the first quarter of an Oct. 7 game in Dover-Foxcroft as Pony senior Levi Strout (70), Bronco senior Wyatt Newell (71), and Foxcroft senior DJ Scheel (52) look on. The Ponies built leads of 27-0 and 48-0 on the way to winning by a final score of 67-6, improving to 4-1.
Later in the opening quarter Rayfield got across the goal line himself as he scored on a 6-yard touchdown run up the middle.
On Hampden’s next offensive play the Broncos fumbled away the football with Pony junior Hunter McSorley recovering the pigskin at the Hampden-13. On first down Rayfield spied Crocker open in the end zone as the two connected on a 13-yard touchdown pass.
Rayfield had a hand in five of his team’s 10 touchdowns. He threw for three on 5-of-7 passing for 68 yards. The signal caller also ran the ball in for two touchdowns as his three carries resulted in 27 yards.
THREE TOUCHDOWN PERFORMANCE — Senior Caden Crocker tackles Hampden senior Logan Burns late in the second quarter on Friday evening. Crocker had three touchdowns, two through the air and another on the ground.
Crocker was on the receiving end of two touchdown passes as part of a 3-reception, 52-yard game. Crocker added a 16-yard touchdown run in the second quarter as he gained 48 yards in two carries.
Marsters closed out the first quarter scoring with a 26-yard rush. He also kicked the PAT to finish the evening 7-of-9.
The Ponies built a 48-0 lead in the second quarter with Rayfield and freshman Lucas Sands combining on a 7-yard touchdown pass and Crocker ran the ball in from 16 yards out. Junior Jadon Richard brought a punt back 45 yards for the score.
LANDING IN THE RED ZONE — Foxcroft freshman Landon Smith rushes for 10 yards in the fourth quarter with senior Kholton Perry serving as lead blocker. A facemask penalty on Hampden set Foxcroft up at the 11-yard line after the run.
In the third quarter Richard made an interception at the Foxcroft 30-yard line. He weaved his way up the field all the way for the touchdown as Foxcroft picked up points in all three phases of the game.
Freshman Aiden Harvey capped off the 10-touchdown performance in the final quarter as he ran the ball in from the 4-yard line.
Next up for Foxcroft is a game at Class C North Maine Central Institute of Pittsfield at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 14. The Huskies will enter at 2-4, having won two in a row against a pair of fellow Class C North opponents with a 56-20 victory at Old Town High School and then a 36-0 win vs. Belfast Area High School.
70-YARD PICK SIX — Junior Jadon Richard makes the interception at the Foxcroft-30 before returning the football 70 yards for the touchdown. Richard also scored on a 45-yard punt return as the Ponies picked up points in all three phases of the game.
FOOTBALL
Foxcroft 67
Hampden 6
HAM 0 6 0 0 | 6
FOX 27 21 12 7 | 67
First: F — Crocker 3 yds from Rayfield (Marsters kick)
F — Rayfield 6 yds (kick wide)
F — Crocker 13 yds from Rayfield (Marsters kick)
F — Marsters 26 yds (Marsters kick)
Second: F — Sands 7 yds from Rayfield (Marsters kick)
F — Crocker 16 yds (Marsters kick)
F — Richard 45-yd punt return (Marsters kick)
H — Wildman 4 yds from Toms (pass fail)
Third: F — Rayfield 1 yd (no kick)
F — Richard 70-yd Int return (kick wide)
Fourth: F — Harvey 4 yds (Marsters kick)
Passing: H — Toms 6-of-16 44 yds TD 2 Int
F — Rayfield 5-of-7 68 yds 3 TD; G. Caruso 1-of-1 9 yds
Receiving: H — Cote 3, 28 yds; Wildman 2, 10 yds TD; Scales 1, 6 yds
F — Crocker 3, 52 yds 2 TD; Marsters 1, 9 yds; Perry 1, 9 yds; Sands 1, 7 yds TD
Rushing: H — Burns 17, 83 yds: Toms 7, 36 yds; Thornwell 1, 12 yds; Wildman 1, 1 yd; Cote 1, -6 yds
F — Crocker 2, 48 yds TD; Rayfield 3, 27 yds 2 TD; Marsters 1, 26 yds TD; Chase 4, 17 yds; Richard 3, 15 yds; L. Smith 2, 14 yds; G. Caruso 1, 4 yds; Tucker 1, 2 yds; Johnson 2, 1 yd
Records: H 1-5, F 4-1