Boothbay Region defied the “experts” Sept. 20 by trouncing previously unbeaten Traip Academy, 52-14, in eight-man football action. The Rangers came into Friday night’s contest riding a two-game winning streak which included a victory over big school conference foe Yarmouth. Traip’s strong start to the inaugural eight-man football season also had believers in the Portland Press Herald’s high school prognosticators, as five of six picked Traip. 

But on Friday night, Boothbay left no doubt who was the better team. The Seahawks built a 26-0 halftime lead on four touchdowns. Senior Nicholas Morley scored on a 24-yard first quarter touchdown pass from quarterback Hunter Crocker. In the second quarter, running back Kaeden Davis stormed into the end zone on a four-yard run. Boothbay expanded its lead by scoring twice more before halftime. Crocker scored on a 35-yard run, and threw for another touchdown by connecting with receiver Kaleb Ames on a 26-yard pass. 

The Seahawk offense was fantastic, but its defense was even better. Traip managed 114 total yards of offense. The Rangers threw for 158 yards, but the Seahawk “D” stymied their running attack. Traip’s offense had minus 44 yards rushing. As for Traip’s two touchdowns, one came after a Boothbay turnover to start the third quarter. The Rangers intercepted a Crocker pass and scored a few plays later on a fingertips touchdown catch in the end zone. In the fourth quarter, Boothbay had eight freshmen on defense and Traip’s starting offense scored a late touchdown trimming their deficit to 30 points. 

As far as the experts go, the Press Herald’s football forecasters Bob Aube, Jessica Gagne, Lee Goldberg, Hal Madsen and Michael Hoffers all had Traip winning. The one exception was Steve Craig, who picked Boothbay. Maybe the football forecasters didn’t know Morley had recovered from an illness which prevented him from playing in week two. Morley had three receptions for two touchdowns and 78 yards.

“The one guy who picked us, he obviously knows his football,” Morley said. 

A couple other guys who know their football are Boothbay coaches Smith Climo and Dave Drapeau. Climo is the defensive coordinator and Drapeau is the offensive coordinator. Head Coach Ed Crocker described his team as being ready for Traip. “We saw a lot of things on film and Smith and Dave did a great job in preparing us,” he said. 

Climo added a wrinkle into the defense. He eliminated the safety and Boothbay played man pass coverage the entire game. “We put a fourth down lineman in and played without a safety,” Morley said. “We put a lot of pressure on their quarterback and he didn’t know where to go.”

Despite the blowout win, Boothbay did suffer one setback. In the first quarter, linebacker Mike Cusamano was injured. He pursued Traip quarterback Bobby Lane when he was accidentally hit by teammate Kaeden Davis. He was transported to Miles Hospital for an MRI. On Monday, Coach Crocker reported Cusamano is “fine,” but is expected to miss a game.

Boothbay (2-1) travels to Bethel Saturday for a 1 p.m. game versus Telsar (2-1).