Craig Langervin’s PAT with 12 seconds remaining sends the upstart program to a 13-12 win.
By Bob McPhee
Staff Writer

BUCKFIELD – The surroundings conjured up memories of the way football used to be played. The action, meanwhile, presented plenty of emotions as Buckfield/Dirigo rose to the occasion Saturday at the inaugural game at Memorial Field.

Freshman quarterback Jamie Henderson orchestrated a long drive, before scoring on a 3-yard run and then watched Craig Langervin kick the extra point with 12 seconds left as

the Cougars rallied for a 13-12 win against Winthrop in a Class C Campbell Conference contest.

The game provided a gamut of emotions as Winthrop executed a goal-line stand, a 99-yard drive and a blocked punt, but hurt itself by committing 17 penalties.

The Cougars (2-5) had the final say by driving 74 yards in 3:08 to punch in the eventual tying score. A key was the strategic hurry-up offense that allowed the Cougars to generate positive yardage

“The difference in the second half was the kids,” Cougar coach Jim Wetherell said. “I don’t think that we adjusted very well, but the kids picked up their level of intensity. A couple plays went against them and I felt that fired them up even more.”

Winthrop (1-7) had recovered a fumble and had an opportunity to run out the clock, but the Cougars defense stiffened to force a punt. The Ramblers had been successful by having quarterback Travis Frautten (6 of 10, 75 yards in the first half) exploit the Cougars secondary. But adjustments enabled Frautten to complete just one of eight passes in the second half.

On the Cougars’ first play, Devin Brann ran a reverse 19 yards and Henderson gained 12 yards on a keeper. Following a Winthrop pass interference, Henderson passed to split end Brandon Elliot for a first and goal. Henderson scored on the next play to set up Langervin’ heroics.

“I was thinking kick it high and straight,” Langervin said. “I hadn’t been kicking very much because my toe is sore and I had it taped up before the game. The team had tried kicking many point after because we’ve had trouble holding back the defensive rushes.”

Henderson had scored a 1-yard touchdown on the Cougars initial drive in the third quarter. Henderson had been informed moments before that his mother had been in an automobile accident.

“He showed a great deal on his mind,” coach Wetherell said. “Especially on the winning drive and that’s impressive considering he’s just 14-years old. Thankfully, he did find out his mother was OK in the hospital and he left right after the game.”

In the first quarter, Buckfield/Dirigo was held inside its own 1-yard line and Winthrop proceeded to drive 99 yards in 11 plays. Russ Schmelizer scored from inside the 1-yard line. The key play on the drive was a 42-yard pass from Frautten to Chris McPherson.

The Ramblers received a gift, when a blotched punt attempt by the Cougars set them up

on the 5-yard line. Travis Hasenfaus scored on the first play to give the Ramblers a 12-0 lead.

The Cougars Scott Wetherell (94 yards, 11 rushes) intercepted the conversion attempt. Jacob McAllister and Langervin also had interceptions and Harry Hayes recovered a fumble.