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The stage was set. The underdog versus the powerhouse playing on the biggest stage in football: West High School Field in Manchester, N.H.?
Of course, it wasn’t the Super Bowl or the Rose Bowl. It was the Northeast Independent Football League championship game.
In the first-ever New England Bowl on Saturday afternoon, the University of Maine tackle football club’s inaugural dream season came to an end as the west division champion Northeast Knights cruised to a 29-0 victory to capture the NIFL title.
The Knights, who finish the season 9-1, won all three meetings with the Black Bears this season, two by way of shutout.
In the first quarter, the Knights took no time getting on the board. After just four plays, the Black Bears found themselves down 6-0 as the Knights marched fifty-five yards for the early touchdown. After a Brett Davison interception, the Knights scored another quick touchdown and added a two-point conversion to make it 14-0.
Turnovers, the Achilles heel for the Black Bears all season, proved to be the downfall once again in the title game. After fullback Matt Littlefield coughed up the football on the next two UMaine drives, the Knights added two more touchdowns to make it 27-0.
With the score 27-0 ten minutes into the game, the Knights, with an all but insurmountable lead, put it into cruise control. The UMaine defense, which has been stalwart all year, held the Knights’ number-one rated offense scoreless for the rest of the game.
However, the UMaine offense could not muster up anything against the Knights’ stingy defense.
“They wouldn’t let our running game get going,” said player and coach Eric Whitman, who missed the first series of the game after being struck in the head on the kickoff and coming up dizzy. His team’s offense was only able to muster 50 yards of total offense and six first downs.
The Knights put their final points on the board in the third quarter as they sacked Black Bear quarterback Brett Davison in the end zone to record a safety.
“The fact that we played for a championship and won a division title in our first year was no small task,” said Whitman. “I am very proud of the guys and what we accomplished.”
With the NIFL season wrapped up, UMaine finished their inaugural campaign with a 5-5 record. However, for 10 players and possibly three more Black Bears, the season is not over yet as they have been selected as all-stars and alternates to participate in the NIFL’s version of the Pro Bowl.
On Dec. 2, in Manchester, the NIFL All-Star game will take place as the East takes on the West. Those representing the Black Bears on the East squad are Brett Davison, Eric Whitman, Gil Cyr, Frank Vickerson, Rob Laverdiere, Kevin Williams, Tony Poulin, Dan Sprogis, Matt Littlefield and Drew Linkletter. In addition, Ron Dube, Dylan Veilleux and Kevin St. Pierre were selected as alternates for the East squad.
While UMaine ended the season with a tough loss, they remain optimistic and upbeat about next season.
“We have the majority of our team returning, people who got hurt last year and hopefully will be recovered, and we will be preparing for next season shortly,” said Whitman.
With Rob Laverdiere, Kevin St. Pierre, Drew Linkletter, Frank Vickerson, Travis Romano, and Ron Dube all graduating, there are spots open for next year if anyone is interested. For more information, contact Eric Whitman via FirstClass as the Black Bears prepare to defend the NIFL East Division Championship.
