Motivated Bonny Eagle football outlasts Noble for second win

Bonny Eagle routs Noble 41‑19 to open season

In a high‑scoring showdown on Friday night, the Bonny Eagle football team (2‑0) defeated the Noble Knights 41‑19 at the Eagle’s home field in North Berwick. The Scots’ offense exploded early, while the Knights’ defense struggled to keep pace. Bonny Eagle’s quarterback, Lucas Klehn, accounted for four rushing touchdowns and a passing score, while running back Ben Noe and receiver Drew Gervais each tallied over 100 yards. Noble’s Mark LaPointe rushed for one touchdown and also threw a score, but the Knights could not contain the Scots’ early onslaught.

A chaotic first half

The first 13 minutes of play saw both teams combine for 40 points. Noble opened with an 80‑yard drive that capped with a one‑yard run by LaPointe. Bonny Eagle answered in three plays with a 50‑yard pass to Gervais, a 28‑yard run by Noe, and a two‑yard run by Klehn to tie 6‑6. A quick 11‑yard run by Wes Pinkham gave the Scots a 12‑point cushion, but Noble’s Tristan Miniutti returned the subsequent kickoff 70 yards for a touchdown. The back‑to‑back drives left the score at 27‑13 in favor of Bonny Eagle with 11:02 left in the second quarter, as Klehn found the end zone from one yard out and again from six yards.

Noble answered with an eight‑yard pass from LaPointe to Ayden Decato with 1:36 left in the half, bringing the Knights within 19 points. A 39‑yard field‑goal try at the end of the half was missed, leaving the score at 27‑19 going into the break.

“I was talking with Lucas when we were walking off at halftime. I was like, ‘That has got to be the longest half of football I’ve ever played,’” Gervais told reporters. “We had to improve, everyone had to improve. I just wanted to really show what we were all about.”

Bonny Eagle takes control

With the game tied early in the third quarter, the Scots’ defense stepped up. Coach Kevin Cooper said, “We’ve got to figure out a way to defend a little bit better. We can’t give up 19 points as quick as we did. I thought our offense took strides tonight, being able to do some different things and spread the ball around.” Cooper also praised first‑year starter Aiden McCormack, noting his physical play and versatility on defense: “He’s not the biggest guy, but playing very physical, playing very tough,” he said. “We’re doing a lot of things with him. We’re playing him off the ball linebacker, as a rush linebacker, so it’s pretty multi‑faced, what he’s doing for us right now.”

The Knights’ offense failed to mount a sustained drive, and the Scots’ defense forced two turnovers early in the second half. Bonny Eagle’s final scoreline was 41‑19, a margin that reflected the early lead and the defensive stand in the closing quarters.

Key performances

• Lucas Klehn (Bonny Eagle) – 17 carries for 55 yards, 4 rushing touchdowns; 9 of 14 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown.
• Drew Gervais (Bonny Eagle) – 6 catches for 112 yards, 1 touchdown.
• Ben Noe (Bonny Eagle) – 15 carries for 112 yards.
• Mark LaPointe (Noble) – 12 carries for 135 yards, 1 rushing touchdown; 9 of 20 passes for 109 yards and 1 touchdown.
• Tristan Miniutti (Noble) – 15 carries for 72 yards.
• Bryson McCormack (Noble) – 4 catches for 47 yards.

Coaches’ reflections

Noble’s coach Keenon Blindow acknowledged the Knights’ struggles: “At halftime, it felt great. We were in a game. We made too many mistakes, but we were still in the game at that point,” he said. “Bonny Eagle came out and controlled the clock and had some long drives, we had a couple of short drives, and that kind of turned the game.”

Bonny Eagle’s coach Kevin Cooper summed up the team’s intent: “We’re going to keep working hard and focus on each game. The first two weeks are all about getting the fundamentals right and making sure we’re playing at the level we know we can play.”

Looking ahead

Bonny Eagle now enters its first full‑season game with a perfect record and momentum building on a dominant victory over a conference opponent. Noble, meanwhile, will look to regroup after the season opener and correct the mistakes that led to a costly first‑half deficit.

The game’s 41‑19 final score underscores a season that began with an explosive offense and a defense that tightened as the clock wound down, setting the tone for what promises to be an exciting football season in Maine.