The Boothbay Region High School football team secured an undefeated regular season Oct. 20 with a 39-20 victory over Camden Hills at Sherman Field. This was the second time Boothbay defeated Camden Hills this season. On Sept. 9, Boothbay won, 35-20, in Rockport. But the Windjammers’ fortunes had dramatically improved over the next four games.  Camden Hills opened its season with two losses, but has since sailed past four straight Class E opponents.

The Windjammers led twice in the first half, but twice Boothbay rebounded from deficits thanks to wingback and punt returner Michael Hollowell. The sophomore ignited two second quarter scores. The first was a 60-yard punt return which set up a two-yard, game-tying rushing touchdown by quarterback Jay Hasch. The second was a 50-yard rushing touchdown of his own, giving Boothbay a 13-12 lead.

“I broke a couple tackles, got some good blocks then cut up field, and just outran everybody,” Hollowell said.

Hollowell’s runs sparked a first half offense bogged down by turnovers and penalties. Boothbay lost three fumbles and committed 14 penalties. One fumble proved especially costly at the time. The Seahawks were driving  for a go-ahead touchdown midway in the second quarter, but fumbled on Camden Hills’ five yard line. A Windjammer defender scooped up the fumble and returned it 53 yards to the Seahawk 12-yard line.

Three plays later, Camden Hills scored on an eight-yard rush. As the game progressed, Boothbay eliminated its mistakes and began scoring on nearly every possession. Boothbay extended its lead early in the third quarter as Hasch scored on a six-yard run. With Boothbay leading 19-12,  Hunter Crocker sealed the game by scoring on offense and defense.

In the fourth quarter, Crocker rushed for a seven-yard touchdown. Then on defense, the safety returned an interception 55 yards for a score, giving Boothbay a 32-12 lead.

Boothbay capped the scoring by moving offensive lineman Jacob Wilson into the backfield. He rushed eight yards for the final Seahawk touchdown.

Boothbay’s offense amassed 302 total yards with 212 coming from rushing. The defense only yielded 135 yards with 59 coming late in the fourth quarter on a touchdown pass.

Hollowell credited the team’s unity for its success during the season.

“We are like a family,” he said. “We do a lot together, and as a team, we stick up for each other.”

Boothbay (8-0) will enter the Class E playoffs as the No. 1 seed. Boothbay will host No. 4 Sacopee Valley of Hiram at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3. Camden Hills (5-3) is the third seed. The Windjammers with travel to Readfield to play No. 2 Maranacook Community School.