DOVER-FOXCROFT – The Pony Express is on its way.

Oh, and so is senior quarterback Josh Withee.

On a third and seven in overtime, Withee dove across the goal line on a keeper giving Foxcroft Academy a 6-0 win over Stearns in the Eastern Class C championship game at Oakes Field Saturday.

The win puts the Ponies into the Class C State Championship game next Saturday at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland against Lisbon.

For Withee, it was just one of his accomplishments on the day. The senior also intercepted a Stearns’ pass and recovered two fumbles.

“He’s one hell of a leader,” said halfback Bobby Gilbert. “He’s the heart and soul of our team and our hero today.”

Despite the quarterback’s heroics, the main story in this game was mother nature. The teams battled a gale that produced near-zero windchills and for the most part held the upper hand.

“It was incredibly hard to throw into the wind,” said Josh Withee. “Especially going to the right because of the crosswind.”

“The conditions really made it tough,” said Foxcroft Academy coach Paul Withee. “I thought we could really take advantage of them in our passing game, but the way the wind was blowing and with the ground, we couldn’t make cuts and it was difficult to do what we wanted to do.”

The was the second meeting this season between the clubs. In October, the Minutemen had a 13-0 lead over Foxcroft, but the Ponies prevailed, 14-13.

This was the 10th consecutive season the teams have met in the playoffs.

Neither team could do much in the 48 minutes of scoreless regulation.

The Ponies’ best drive came late in the first half when they moved the ball 40 yards before Withee was intercepted.

Stearns went almost as far in the fourth before being forced to punt.

Ironically, both drives were against the wind.

The winning play seemed destined from the beginning.

“It was originally a pass play,” said quarterback Withee. “I had been hitting the flats pretty well so they backed off. I saw the space and took it to them.”

Coach (and dad) Withee said it was all his son’s idea.

“I called one play and Josh came over and asked to change it. He had the option to keep or pass on the play and he made a great move.”

Withee rolled out to the right, then headed for the end zone pylon.

“The waggle is tough on the defensive backs,” said Stearns coach Chris Preble. “They have to stay back. If they don’t then the quarterback can dump it over his head.”

“Our kids battled all day long,” said Coach Withee. “Between the wind and the field conditions, it was too bad someone had to lose.”

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