Witches’ early schedule is beneficial in 5-0 start

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The schedule makers were relatively kind to the Brewer High football team, particularly given the fact that only one starter returned from the 2003 team that reached the Pine Tree Conference Class B semifinals.

The Witches’ first four games, against Old Town, Hampden Academy, Oak Hill of Wales, and Morse of Bath, involved opponents that have combined for a 7-13 record through Week 5.

But while some difficult tests remain, coach Ed Ortego’s Witches are a conference-best 5-0 after last Friday night’s impressive 38-12 win at Belfast and stand two games clear of Belfast, Winslow, and Leavitt of Turner Center, all 3-2 and tied for second place.

Only once has Brewer been in jeopardy of losing, at Morse two weeks ago when the Witches scored a touchdown and two-point conversion with 1:03 left for a 22-21 victory.

Credit Brewer’s success to this point to athleticism, depth, talent, and an ability to rebuild on the run.

One catalyst has been junior Ricky Porter, a converted running back who has become adept at running the option game from the quarterback position.

“Our schedule has been perfect,” said Ortego after the Belfast victory. “It’s allowed us to develop a quarterback who’s now had five weeks in his whole life as a quarterback. It’s allowed us to build him up and to build a team around him.”

Porter, Kevin McAvoy, Zack Wilson, and fullbacks Matt Littlefield and Ben Caldwell have combined to rush for 1,511 yards in five games, or 302.2 yards per contest.

Much of the credit is shared with the offensive line of center Ryan Brooks, guards Sean Pulley and Jamie Ecker, tackles Chad Szylvain and Jared Knowles, tight end Drew Francis and split ends Ricky Study, Mitch Peasley and Phil Turmelle.

“We have little guys on the line of scrimmage blocking for the backs, but they’re tough, they’re quick, they never stop,” said Ortego.

The running-back-by-committee philosophy means Brewer might not have a 1,000-yard rusher this fall, but Porter (407 yards), McAvoy (334), Littlefield (329), and Wilson (311) all rank among the PTC B’s top nine ballcarriers.

Spreading the rushing wealth also has an additional benefit.

“It gives us plenty of rest and keeps us charging through four quarters,” Littlefield said.

It also keeps them rested for defense, and Brewer has allowed just 39 points in five games. Linebacker Jake Richter, the third Witches captain, leads the team in tackles, followed by Caldwell – named this week’s PTC Class B player of the week for his eight solo tackles, four assists, and an interception against Belfast.

Szylvain, Wilson, and Porter (a league-best three interceptions) are among Brewer’s other top tacklers, while sophomore Matt Wilson is emerging as a top pass rusher.

Riots find power in numbers

Another team that has used multiple running backs with great success has been the Orono Red Riots.

Coach Bob Sinclair’s club, 4-1 overall and riding a three-game winning streak, has four different running backs rotating into its Oklahoma split-T formation.

Two weeks ago against Maine Central Institute of Pittsfield, Joe Fullwood, Mo Nazmy, and Mardy Simon each carried the ball 10 times, while Dusty Thomas had seven carries. Fullwood, Nazmy, and Simon each carried the ball seven times and Thomas rushed five times – combining for 334 yards and six touchdowns in last Friday night’s 52-6 win over Dexter.

For the season, Orono has totaled 1,496 rushing yards from among Simon (507 yards), Nazmy (418), Fullwood (323), and Thomas (248).

“The thing we like about the T is that it gives you permission to spread the ball around,” said Sinclair, a veteran Eastern Maine head coach in his first year with the Red Riots. “So when you’ve got four guys like we have who are all talented, it serves us well.”

Line play has been crucial to that success, with center Brad Russell, guards Micah Mishio and Ryan Prue, tackles Colby Caruso and Rob Chauvette, and ends Joe Simon and Travis Bryant all playing key roles.

“The offensive line has done a great job,” said Sinclair. “They’ve really jelled well together.”

The Orono offense is guided by quarterback Adam Chase, who hasn’t been called on to pass much because of the success of the running game.

“Our alignment in the backfield is very consistent now,” said Sinclair. “We’re faking much better for each other, and the timing is much, much better than it was at the start of the year. Adam Chase has really taken a lot of pride in steering this Cadillac, so we’re executing at a much higher level now than we were in early September.”

Orono already has surpassed its three wins of 2003, and has put itself in strong position to earn an LTC Class C playoff berth. But the remaining schedule is challenging, beginning Friday at 3-2 Rockland. The Red Riots then host 4-1 Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln and 1-4 Maranacook of Readfield before ending the season at unbeaten Bucksport.

“We’re taking strides week by week, and hopefully we’ll be a completely new team in November from where we are now,” Nazmy said. “Our goal is to be peaking in November.”

PVC golf champions crowned

Presque Isle, Brewer, and Dexter finished with the top team scores at the recent Penobscot Valley Conference golf championships held at JaTo Highlands in Lincoln.

Presque Isle had the best overall score of 303 to win the Class B competition. Led by individual champion Brad Young’s 71, the Wildcats bested second-place Mount Desert Island (316) and third-place Houlton (336). Other Presque Isle golfers were Chris Coffin, Mike Hersey, Spencer Deschene, and Doug Cyr.

MDI was led by Jake Wills’ 72, while Peter Hagan shot an 80 to pace Houlton.

In Class A, Brewer’s Chris Wilson, Matt Grimes, Sam Walls, Dave Perry, and Craig Douglass scored a 310. Perry led the Witches with a 74, while Wilson carded a 76 as Brewer edged second-place Bangor by four strokes. Ben Estabrook paced Bangor with a 76.

Dexter claimed the Class C title with a 345, three strokes better than runner-up Stearns of Millinocket. Matt Murray’s 74 topped Dexter, while teammate Tim McCarthy shot a 76. Other Dexter golfers were Gavin Cote, Josh Whalen, and Quinn Dillon.

Derek McGillicuddy led Stearns with an 81.

Sumner of East Sullivan placed third in Class C at 358.

Young, Wills, Perry, Murray, Chris Coffin of Presque Isle (74), and Marcus Maffucci of Mount Desert Island (74) were the top individual finishers in the boys meet.

Juliana Aurie of Hampden Academy was the girls’ medalist with an 85, two strokes better than second-place Yeong Un Lee of Lee Academy. Whitney Hand of Bucksport and Kelsey Stratton of MDI shared third place with an 89, while Ashley Card-Burns rounded out the top five with a 96.

Top teams and individuals will advance to state competition, with the state team meet set for Oct. 9 and the individual championships slated for Oct. 16, both at Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro.

Ernie Clark can be reached at 990-8045, 1-800-310-8600 or eclark@bangordailynews.net