The Maine South Hawks freshmen A team remains undefeated with one tie as they battled for a win against the Evanston Wildkits freshmen A team Saturday at Murney Lazier Field.

The Hawks win in a low scoring game 15-8, regardless of both teams combining for 12 dropped passes in the first half alone.

Bitter cold winds on Saturday and temperatures in the upper 30’s effected the passing game. Maine South had five of the dropped passes while Evanston provided the other seven.

“It was cold, but I just had to play through it,” said Maine South wide receiver Jonathan Arenas. “Eventually you just stop thinking about it.”

Evanston controlled most of the first half with quarterback draw plays and quick slants resulting in multiple drives ending in Maine South territory.

However, Maine South was able to stop further damage with key defensive plays from their defensive line. Maine South defensive line put consistent pressure on the Evanston offense forcing them to make plays.

At halftime Maine South’s coach Scott Tumilty let them know why this wasn’t an acceptable effort. “They are playing harder. Nobody is mad. Nobody is focused.”

It’s no surprise that both teams came out working the running game the second half.

Despite the first half struggle Maine South quarterback Brian Collis and surging receiver Arenas came out at half time connecting with over seven catches.

“I just put everything I had into each route,” said Arenas. “I wasn’t thinking about anything other then the play I was about to run.”

Maine South scored with a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter and tied the game after completing a pass to the running back Julian Hudson scoring a necessary two-point conversion.

Both defenses buckled down creating a lot of turnovers with the game tied 8-8, until a minute left in the fourth quarter.

Maine South had the ball with 20 seconds left in the game. They lined up for their first field goal attempt of the season.

The ball is spiked and with time running down, Maine South fakes the field goal and completes a touchdown pass to Hudson.

Despite Evanston having a lot of size on Maine South, once they got fired up, there was no stopping them.  They kept their undefeated season alive.

“We came back and played with heart,” said Coach Tumilty. “ We should have started the game with the same mentality, but we won.”

 

GAME NOTES: Three of the Maine South players are out due to injuries- Salvatore Milazzo, offensive and defensive lineman, is out for the entire season with a broken wrist. Dominic Loise, offensive guard, is out for the rest of the season with a fractured vertebra. Nicholas Cecala is out for the season with a severe concussion.