For Washington Academy football, a long bus ride is nothing new

Washington Academy Raiders Return to Victory After 536‑mile Trip to Kittery

The Washington Academy football team set out at 6 a.m. from the East Machias campus to face Traip Academy in Kittery, a journey that covered 536 miles round‑trip. The trip—Washington’s longest of the season—took the Raiders across Maine’s northern reaches to the state’s southern tip, but the team returned home in a 66‑to‑6 triumph that marked their third straight win and solidified their 3‑0 start.

The drive began in the early morning with the school bus full of 22 players. They stopped at Dysart’s in Hermon for breakfast before heading south on Interstate 95 to Kittery, the town where Traip Academy’s Rangers host the game. “We like spending time with each other. Then we get to go hit,” said senior lineman Phoenix Meyer, describing the camaraderie that helps them endure long bus rides.

Washington’s season has been shaped by a series of logistical challenges. The Valley Mustangs, a co‑op team from Fort Kent and Madawaska, folded their season just before the start of the schedule. With no other Aroostook‑area team left, Washington Academy became the lone high‑school program in the state to field a team that season.

“We’re used to long bus rides,” said senior running back William Ferguson, who added that the team’s shortest road trip that season will be a 258‑mile drive to Millinocket for a matchup against the defending state champions, Stearns, on Oct. 2.

The Raiders’ travel demands are typical of the Small‑School North division, where schools are spread far apart. Coach Jon Solomon, a former University of Maine player and ex‑head coach at Houlton, notes that the team’s 1,800 miles of travel for the season—including a preseason scrimmage in Bethel—helps them build resilience.

“Early in the morning, the first half of the ride is quiet because they’re still sleeping. After they get a little bit of food in their system, the guys start to get a little noisy,” Solomon explained. “But once we get about 45 minutes away from where we’re going, we get quiet and start dialing in and focusing on the game. We did a good job of that today.”

The game itself was dominated from the start. Washington forced turnovers on Traip’s first three possessions and led 46‑6 at halftime. The Raiders never trailed, and the final score of 66‑6 was a testament to their defensive prowess and disciplined offense.

A mother of a player highlighted the stakes of the road trip. Jennifer Long, the mother of Washington’s senior quarterback Samuel Johnson, drove from Fort Kent to Biddeford to be with her son after he transferred from Valley following the Mustangs’ cancellation. “He spent all summer going to camps. He worked hard at it,” Long said. “I didn’t want to see all the offseason work he put in evaporate because of a decision out of his control.”

Johnson, who hopes to play college football, was eager to make the most of the opportunity. The game also showcased the Raiders’ growing depth; 22 players took the field, a number that reflects the program’s progress since its 2021‑2022 hiatus.

Coach Solomon emphasized the unique developmental path of Washington players. “Our kids don’t play tackle football until their freshmen year of high school. We have 140 kids in our flag football program,” he explained. “To be able to get the work in we did this summer to work on our tackling, to work on being able to fly around, I’ve been very happy to see the results we’re getting on the field.”

The game was also a reminder that many of Washington’s athletes participate in other sports. Several members of the football squad also play baseball and have appeared in the Class C state championship games in recent years. Their experience in high‑stakes competitions adds a winning mentality to the football roster.

Looking ahead, Washington Academy’s schedule will feature additional long trips. Their next away game in Dexter, 258 miles away, will test the team’s endurance again. The Raiders’ coaching staff views these trips as opportunities to build teamwork and focus, essential ingredients for a successful season.

With a 3‑0 record, Washington Academy’s Raiders have proven they can thrive despite the state’s geographic challenges and the disruptions of the Valley Mustangs. The 66‑6 victory in Kittery is a clear sign that the team is ready to compete at the highest level of Maine high‑school football.