FOOTBALL

Previously, Yarmouth has been a bit of a House of Horror for the Fryeburg Academy football team.

In last year’s playoff game, the Clippers ripped the Raiders 54-12.

While this year’s Yarmouth club is young along the front line, the Clippers still returned some offensive punch from a year ago, opening the season at 3-0.

Fryeburg stunned the Clippers in impressive fashion Friday night, exorcising past demons in the form of a 53-14 rout.

“This is a big win for us to get back in the hunt,” FA Coach David Turner said as his club evened up at 2-2.

Jared Chisari, who bolted for two long kickoff runs a week ago against Wells, was again a flash, rushing for 202 yards on 16 carries and scoring four touchdowns, including a 84-yard kick return.

The FA offense rolled behind a big offensive line surge as Cody Gullikson added 125 yards and three touchdowns as the Raiders recorded 475 yards of offense.

Here’s the scoring recap:

First Quarter, FA 6-0

Chisari, 77 yard run

Second Quarter, FA 20-0

Chisari, 13 yard run

Chisari, 44 yard run

Third Quarter, FA 33-0

Gullikson, 24 yard run

Gullikson, 5 yard run

Fourth Quarter, FA 53-14

Gullikson, 96 yard pass

Daniels, 36 yard run

Chisari, 84 yard KO run

Yarmouth

Middleton, 69 yard pass

Middleton, 35 yard pass

Up next: The Raiders host Freeport (2-2) this Friday at 4 p.m. Here’s Freeport’s record:

W, 22-8 over Poland

L, 53-0 to Wells

W, 27-0 over GNG

L, 42-6 to Cape

Faye Taylor (right) looks to move the ball out of the Raider end against York. (Rivet Photo)

FIELD HOCKEY

In their last three games, the Raider field hockey team is 1-2 — 3-0 loss to York last Thursday, 3-1 loss to Kennebunk on Saturday, and a 6-0 win over Greely Monday.

The Raiders are currently 4-5-1 (ranked #7, Top 12 qualify for the playoffs) with Falmouth waiting in the wings for a night game tomorrow night on their home “turf,”  literally.

“At our game yesterday at home against Greely, I saw a completely different team than I had seen in the last few games. The girls, as a team, were pumped up and ready to play!” FA Coach Dede Frost said. “The biggest improvement on the day was our ‘second effort.’ Getting beaten is inevitable from time to time, but whether or not you give up is a choice. Our girls never gave anything up without a fight.  No ball was left to chance and no opponent was left unchallenged.  Their desire to be in control of the play at all times made all the difference in the world. Yesterday was a true team win. Everyone contributed equally and it was amazing to witness that kind of team effort and collective energy.  It’s not the kind of thing that can always be controlled — if it could be, I would have bottled it up and marketed it by now.”

Over the next week or so (which brings the Raiders to the end of our regular season), Coach Frost would like to see the exact same effort she saw against Greely.

“A team that realizes that they have the ability to play exceptional field hockey, and it is not always the team with the most skilled individual players that can be the winner on any given day....it is the players that play like an exceptional team,” Coach Frost added.

FA’s three seniors have made statements over the past few games.

Captain Bridget Tweedie has taken her game to a whole new level.

“Her skills have advanced throughout the season and she has become a mental master of the game.  She is able to read opponents and anticipate upcoming plays and tactics,” her coach said. “In addition, she is a true team player and makes things happen for those around her.”

Janelle Weismann has upped her game, as well.

“She is more confident in her skills and is as tenacious as they come.  If there is a ball anywhere within her reach, she will not be satisfied until it is on her stick and she has secured control,” Coach Frost said. “Both Janelle and Bridget have been responsible for numerous assists for teammates.”

Captain Lexi Charles has accepted the transition from forward line her junior year to midfield as a senior. Because of the vacancies left by last year’s graduates, Lexi has stepped up and filled the role without complaint.

“She has become an amazing defender while controlling and directing plays from the midfield,” Coach Frost said. “Certainly, she is excelling at this new role!”

Coach Frost expects a fight until the end to determine whether or not Fryeburg will see a playoff spot this season.

“Regardless of the outcome, I couldn’t be more proud of the way they represent themselves as a team both on and off the athletic field,” Coach Frost said.

SKY HIGH FOR SAVE made by Fryeburg Academy goalie Will Zeliff in a 3-0 shutout over Freeport. (Rivet Photo)

BOYS’ SOCCER

It was a busy week for the Raider boys’ varsity soccer team as FA had two tough wins beating Sacopee Tuesday on a goal from Owen Sullivan.

“Our defense played well,” FA Coach Bob Hodgman-Burns said. “Will Davis filled in for a sick Will Zeliff (in goal).”

The Raiders blanked Freeport last Thursday 4-0 on two goals from Nabeel Ghadfa, a goal and an assist from Nico Bishton, and a goal from Owen Sullivan from Max Kummer.

Huxley Lovering and Adam Canfield played well on defense.

The Raiders at 4-4-0 are currently ranked seventh in Class B South, the Top 12 qualify for the playoffs.

CROSS COUNTRY

At the 42nd Manchester Invitational held Saturday in New Hampshire, Emily Carty placed eighth overall in 20:02 out of a field of 195 runners.

Eleanor Lawler of South Kingston set the winning pace in 18:45.

Other FA finishers were:

74. Zoe Maguire, 22:36
75. Emily Grzyb, 23:00
76. Irina Norkin, 23:20
77. Merys Carty, 23:53
78. Madeline Choyce, 25:44
79. Ella Forbes, 26:00

• The Raiders were 13th out of 28 schools with a combined time of 1:52.51. Greely was first with a combined time of 1:42.07.

On the FA boys’ side, the Raiders were 26th out of 32 schools with a combined time of 1:39.26 (winning total was 1:25.41).

Winning time was by Patrick O’Brien of Oyster River in 15:22.

54. Alfie Walker, 17:57
55. Christian Bedell, 18:22
56. Antonin Santarelli, 20:55
57. Ethan Reinbach, 20:57
58. Seth Johnston, 21:15
59. Josh Rose, 22:34
60. Ben Caffrey, 23:25