DANGEROUS BUT WORTH THE RISK

Football isn’t safe if you’re walking around with a separated shoulder. But then again, neither is sleeping, if you happen to move the wrong way in the night.

And so Cam Kaubris has decided to maximize those waking hours and return to the football field. Kaubris put on the pads for reigning Class B champion Mountain Valley last Saturday night, throwing one pass and making one tackle.

Kaubris delivered drama in each instance, throwing a touchdown and forcing a fumble in a 21-0 victory over Greely, nudging the Falcons to their 18th consecutive victory.

“They said it will heal on its own without surgery, as long as I don’t dislocate it again,” said Kaubris, who suffered the injury while making a tackle in a preseason game against Skowhegan. “If I had the surgery, it would have put me out of both basketball and baseball this year, and I didn’t want that.”

Kaubris also suffered a partially torn labrum in his throwing shoulder. Such an injury usually heals with long-term rest. Kaubris stood on the sidelines and watched Chris Day and Izaak Mills quarterback the Falcons to five straight victories. He was cleared to return in Week 6 on defense.

But with his team nursing a 7-0 lead late in the first half and deep in Greely territory, Kaubris lined up as the Falcons’ lone setback behind Day. Surprisingly, the Rangers bit on Day’s pitch to Kaubris, leaving slot receiver Tyler Mason matched with single coverage in the end zone for Kaubris’ first TD pass of the year on a halfback option pass.

“You can read the defense a lot better back there,” Kaubris said.

While his role was limited, Kaubris’ return clearly invigorated the Falcons.

“It’s great just to have him on defense,” said Mountain Valley senior defensive end Brady Fergola. “We had at least one game at Wells where all our defensive backs were injured. He gives us a big lift.”

RAMBLERS STILL KICKING

Winthrop knew the rest of Western Class C would relish the opportunity for a little retribution after back-to-back undefeated regular seasons in 2007 and ’08. So it’s probably no surprise that the junior-laden Ramblers — left without a full-time starter from either one of those teams — have absorbed one-sided losses to Dirigo, Livermore Falls and Oak Hill.

But coach Joel Stoneton chooses to focus on close victories over Maranacook and Madison that have given the youthful Ramblers a chance to control their playoff destiny. A win tonight against Jay or next week against Lisbon would put Winthrop (3-3) into the postseason. There’s even a chance that the defending regional champions would make the eight-team cut if they conclude with a three-game losing streak.

“We’re supposed to be rebuilding this year,” said Stoneton. “We’re happy to be in the mix.”

Cory Harris and Ryan Conant have provided a formidable one-two punch in the backfield for the Ramblers. Harris rushed for 135 yards in Saturday’s 27-0 loss to Oak Hill.