By Stephen Ham

Special to the Leader

The Red Storm football team concluded their season with a loss to the Kennebunk Rams, 35-14 in Kennebunk Friday night. The loss was Scarborough’s fourth consecutive defeat, and closed the books on what began as a very promising season. The loss of key personnel to injuries and rule infractions beginning mid season doomed the Storm, who were 3-1 at one point in the season, and were an extra point from being 4-1. 

Kennebunk, perhaps sensing a weakened opponent, jumped out quickly, scoring on a 46 yard run on their first play from scrimmage. By the time the first half ended, the Rams had built a 24-0 lead and Scarborough was simply playing for pride in the second half.

“It was a hard game, and it was hard for a lot of people this last week or two,” Scarborough Coach David Sterling said following the game.  “I think it says a lot about the mettle that some of these young people have as far as coming out in the second half and putting two touchdowns on the board and getting back in the game. They gave themselves a fighting chance and those young men are going to go a long way in life, as long as they keep coming back and never dipping their head in adversity.”

The offensive highlights for the Red Storm were confined to two possessions in the third quarter. 

Beginning from their own 13, quarterback Zack Bean threw a swing pass to tailback Brendan Ham, who eluded a would-be tackler at the line of scrimmage, then sprinted down the right side line to the Ram 30 yard line. On the very next play, Scarborough went with the same play, only this time to the opposite side of the field, and this time Ham took the ball to the three yard line. Two plays later, Peter Tuma thundered over the goal line for six points.

Scarborough attempted an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff, and recovered the ball. Despite their renewed energy, the Red Storm couldn’t do anything offensively and after a failed fourth down conversion attempt, Kennebunk took over with an opportunity to nail down the win. 

But Scarborough had other ideas. Scarborough defensive linemen Tyler Millett, Brian Woodbury, and Pete Doyer slammed Kennebunk running back Nick Gross, forcing a fumble at the three yard line. 

Working from just in front of their own end zone, Ham got the Storm breathing room with a nine yard run to the 12 yard line. On the next play Ham again took the handoff, this time off left tackle, and sensing a hole, cut back to the right and blasted through the Ram defense 88 yards for another score. With a successful two point conversion at 1:39 and the gap closed to 28-14, the Red Storm were starting to feel like an upset was possible.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be, as Kennebunk scored early in the fourth quarter and Scarborough was unable to develop another scoring drive.

Sterling commended his players, saying, “I had a great group of seniors, and I think they’ve set a really good standard for everybody that’s coming behind them. I couldn’t ask for a better group of men than what I had this year. The people who will be coming behind them will have a high standard to live up to.”

Rather than dwell on what might have been, Coach Sterling looked to the future positively.  “I think the future looks really good. We’ve got a great group of underclassmen coming in.”

The Red Storm conclude their season with a best ever (in Class A) 3-5 record. The high school post season football banquet will take place at Verillo’s in Portland, on Sunday, Nov. 23.