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HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

GAME OF THE WEEK: Big game early for Messalonskee

Eagles want to avoid 0-2 start at home vs. Cony

By Bill Stewart bstewart@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

Yes, it's only Week 2. Yes, that means there is plenty of football left to be played.

But, yes, Messalonskee High School football coach Wes Littlefield said, the Pine Tree Conference Class A showdown tonight against Cony at Veterans Field is pivotal.

"It's a big game," Littlefield said. "It's a must-win (game). We have to take care of our home field. There is a lot of parity in the league this year, and you can't lose too many games."

Messalonskee (0-1), which reached the PTC A semifinals last season, has already lost once -- a 15-12 setback to Mt. Blue in the season opener last weekend.

With Bangor, Lewiston and Brunswick fielding strong teams again, the Eagles could use a victory to keep them in the hunt for a top-four finish in the competitive PTC A.

The top four teams will host at least a quarterfinal game, which is something Cony (1-0) is aiming to accomplish this season. The Rams, who reached the PTC A quarterfinals last season, pounded Mt. Ararat 48-12 in the season opener last weekend.

"It's huge," Cony coach Robby Vachon said. "They are one of the stronger football programs in the conference right now. It's a big, big game."

The game plan for each team is simple enough. After all, there are no secrets to what each team will try to do tonight.

Messalonskee and its double-wing offense will look to wear out the Rams with long drives.

Cony, meanwhile, will look for Luke Duncklee to once again come up with the big play. He had plenty of them against Mt. Ararat last weekend, rushing for four touchdowns and passing for one. He rushed for 194 yards and threw for 71 more.

"He's explosive," Littlefield said. "He's quite an athlete. He creates so many opportunities for himself. He can do damage."

Duncklee can't do much, however, if the offense isn't out on the field. And that, says Littlefield, is of utmost importance for the Eagles tonight.

"It's what we try to do," he said. "We have to take away their capabilities."

Added Duncklee: "We won't get the ball much. A team that runs all the time, they will try to keep the ball out of our hands. We have to take advantage of our possessions. We'll have to shorten their drives."

Messalonskee beat Cony 20-13 at Alumni Field in Augusta last season. The Eagles rushed for 394 yards in that game, but also lost running back Keenan Knox to an injury after he was hit by TJ Vallee.

Knox is back and is one of the top backs for Messalonskee.

"He is a silent leader," Littlefield said. "He brings a lot to this team. He just goes out and plays hard. When he got hurt last season, it was a big blow to our team."

Added Vachon: "With Knox, they can chew up some clock. We will have to maximize every possession we get. They pose some problems for us. There is no secret with them. They will try to run the ball, run it down our throats."

Bill Stewart -- 623-3811, ext. 515

bstewart@centralmaine.com