Freeport football dominates possession in win over Morse
Freeport 20, Morse 6 – Freeport’s 50th win for head coach Paul St. Pierre
In a game that highlighted the Falcons’ balanced attack and disciplined defense, the Freeport High School football team defeated the Morse Shipbuilders 20‑6 on Friday night at Freeport High’s home field. The victory, secured in the fourth quarter on a nine‑minute drive, gave coach St. Pierre his 50th win in the program’s history and keeps the Falcons perched atop the Class D South standings.
The Falcons entered the game with a 4‑1 record and the pressure of a tight race for the No. 1 seed in the D‑South Crabtree standings. A win over Morse, who sits at 3‑2, was essential to maintain their lead. The Shipbuilders were without starting quarterback Dylan Root and running back Junuh Hays, giving Freeport an early advantage on both sides of the ball.
A game of ground and timing
Freeport’s offense was largely a rushing effort, piling up 200 yards on 21 carries from senior running back Sam Willard. Willard, who had to step in for injured quarterback Andrew Thomas, carried the ball 21 times for 101 yards and added a 13‑yard touchdown run. He also threw a 13‑yard touchdown pass to Bryson Jack early in the second quarter, giving Freeport a 14‑6 lead.
“Sam’s been playing varsity football since he was a freshman,” coach St. Pierre said after the game. “He was excited, enthusiastic, and worked hard all week.” Willard echoed the sentiment, saying, “We did a rush a little bit early, but in the second half, we chilled a little bit, chewed up the clock a little bit, and used that to our advantage.”
With the lead secured, the Falcons turned the ball over to their defense. The Shipbuilders’ offense struggled to find rhythm; their only touchdown came from senior Caden Wells’ 68‑yard run. Freeport’s defense held Morse to just 91 rushing yards and forced a 10‑play, 9‑minute drive in the final quarter that consumed time and prevented a comeback. Defensive lineman Clay Plummer, who sometimes lined up as a fullback, and defensive back Olliver Roderiques made key stops in the Falcons’ backfield.
The 50th win milestone
The win not only mattered for the standings but also for St. Pierre, who was hired as Freeport’s head coach in April 2015. He celebrated his 50th victory with the program, a milestone that seemed almost unimaginable in his first season when the team went 0‑8.
“I’ll be honest, it’s not something I ever thought about before Friday night,” St. Pierre said. “My first year, we were 0‑8. I couldn’t imagine 10 wins. To get 50, that’s pretty sweet, but it just means I’m getting older.” After the game, players presented the coach with a sign commemorating the achievement, which he ran through before the team broke the huddle.
Keegan Haveran, a senior who rushed for 66 yards and a touchdown, was quick to praise the win. “This is huge,” he said. “Just coming back from a loss, getting this big win, we needed it. It secured a good position in the playoffs.”
Looking ahead
Freeport’s remaining schedule includes a challenging road game against Class C Wells next week, followed by home matches against Dirigo and Lisbon to close out the season. The Falcons’ offense will look to keep the ball moving and the clock in their favor, while the defense will aim to maintain the pressure that has kept opponents from mounting late‑game surges.
Morse coach Jason Darling also reflected on the game, saying, “It was an incredible effort from our kids tonight, I’m so proud of them and their resilience. Their adaptability was fantastic.”
With this win, Freeport’s record sits at 4‑1, and the Falcons maintain a slim cushion for the top seed in the D‑South. As the season progresses, the team will have to stay focused and continue the disciplined play that carried them to this pivotal victory.
