Falmouth football ousts defending champion Westbrook in B South quarterfinal
Falmouth Upsets Westbrook 20‑14 in Class B South Playoff Quarterfinal
Falmouth, Maine – Friday night in Falmouth, the junior high school’s Navigators knocked off the defending state champion Westbrook in a 20‑14 victory, advancing to the regional semifinals of the Class B South playoffs. The game, played at Falmouth High School, saw the Navigators’ first‑time starting quarterback, Harper Drosdik, lead a balanced attack while the defense held Westbrook to only 14 points, a career‑low for the Blue Blazes.
A Rookie’s Big Debut
Drosdik made his first start at quarterback for Falmouth, stepping in for Micah Derrig, who had fractured a collarbone in the regular‑season finale. Drosdik finished 12‑of‑23 for 143 passing yards and rushed for 48 yards on 12 carries, including a one‑yard touchdown run. “Before the game there was nerves. As soon as you step on the field it just kind of goes away,” Drosdik said. “I knew I was ready, I was prepared. All the coaches helped me, and I was just trying to stay calm back there and just do my job.”
He found the ball to Wes Howard, who hauled in five catches for 75 yards, and to Brendon Welch, who carried the ball 13 times for 31 yards. Falmouth’s kicker, Theo Roediger, nailed two field goals – a 23‑yard and a 35‑yard – to give the team a 20‑point total.
Westbrook’s Early Lead
The Blue Blazes seized an early advantage when Lucas Roberson returned the opening kickoff 72 yards for a touchdown just 12 seconds into the game, giving Westbrook a 7‑0 lead. Westbrook’s offense was largely built around running back Thomas Coleman, who ran 59 yards on five carries and added a touchdown. Coleman’s 31‑yard touchdown run in the third quarter cut the deficit to 20‑14, but the Falmouth defense again held them to no further points.
Defensive Standouts
Falmouth’s defense was instrumental in preserving the win. In the fourth quarter, the defense stopped a Westbrook drive that had reached Falmouth’s 32-yard line on a fourth‑and‑1, with Louis Sustersic, Wes Howard and Brendon Welch collaborating to force a turnover on downs. A subsequent sack by Riser Backman sealed the victory. Dane Langelier, the nose tackle, was named the defensive player of the game after making consistent plays along the line.
Coach Brandon Dorsett praised the team’s resilience, saying, “We got kicked in the face. We responded. You trust the kids, and they did a great job.” He also noted the defensive performance: “One of the best defensive performances we’ve had all year, which is what we need in the playoffs when the stakes are high.”
Westbrook’s Perspective
Westbrook’s coach Sam Johnson, a veteran of the program, reflected on the loss: “I’m proud of our kids, proud of our coaches. Give Falmouth credit, they’re a well‑coached team.” He added, “I thought we had a chance there at the end. We just kind of came up short. That’s football, that’s life.”
Final Score and Key Stats
- Falmouth (4‑5) 20, Westbrook (3‑6) 14
- Harper Drosdik: 143 passing yards, 48 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown
- Wes Howard: 5 receptions, 75 yards
- Theo Roediger: 2 field goals (23 & 35 yards)
- Lucas Roberson: 72‑yard kickoff return touchdown
- Thomas Coleman: 59 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown
With the win, Falmouth advances to the regional semifinals of the Class B South playoffs, while Westbrook’s season ends in the quarterfinals. The next game for the Navigators will be against the winner of the other quarterfinal matchup in the region.
