Pair of businesses provide soccer backstops for PCHS

GUILFORD — Fewer soccer errant balls going over and around the posts will be traveling far beyond the Piscataquis Community High School goals thanks to a pair of backstops with netting provided by a pair of area businesses.

“Herring Brothers was kind enough to donate quite a substantial amount to purchase this,” SAD 4 Transportation/Grounds Director Mark Bernier said about the family-owned meat business in Guilford. Pirate boys soccer coach Trey Gilbert, a fourth generation family member, operates Herring Brothers Meats along with his parents Thomas and Andrea Gilbert to continue a family tradition dating to the 1920s.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
BALLS WON”T GO TOO FAR PAST THE GOAL — A pair of backstops with netting have been provided for each goal at the PCHS soccer field in Guilford thanks to Herring Brothers of Guilford and Davis & Northup General Contracting of Parkman.

Bernier said Steve Northup of Davis & Northup General Contracting of Parkman installed the backstop at no cost. “All we had to do was pay for some of the materials and he donated all his time and effort,” Bernier said.

He said Northup “did a super job, he got this done in two days which was a big help.”

The concrete was poured on Friday, Sept. 13. “The bases were in on Friday and then Trey and his team came down and put this up on Sunday,” Bernier said. “Both ends it’s 21 feet tall by 60 feet across and it saves the kids from having to run a country mile to get the ball back.”

He said the backstops have been used for games and for the daily soccer practices and have already cut down on time players and others spend chasing after balls rolling toward the wooded area and Campus Drive beyond each respective goal.

The transportation/grounds director said the netting operates via pulley system. Bernier said after the soccer season the mesh material will come down, and district officials will research whether to see the poles need to be taken out of the holders to avoid frost damage.

Contributed photo
POLE INSTALLATION — Steve Northup of Davis & Northup General Contracting of Parkman preps one of the poles for a soccer goal backstop at PCHS as Athletic Director Joe Gallant looks on.

“It’s just something that shows we have local businesses around here that are willing to put in some time and effort into the school,” Bernier said in thanking Herring Brothers and Davis & Northup General Contracting.