Ponies score 10 touchdowns, post team’s third consecutive shutout vs. Madison
DOVER-FOXCROFT — Foxcroft Academy dominated all three phases of the game vs. Madison Area Memorial High School in a Class D North matchup on Sept. 22. The Ponies found the end zone 10 times, including two punt return touchdowns, and held the opposition scoreless for the third game in a row to win 68-0 and improve to 4-0.
The Ponies gave up just three total first downs vs. the Bulldogs (who fell to 0-4) and two of these came in the fourth quarter when both teams had reserves on the field. Foxcroft has now given up just six points in the four games, and the lone score came on a late kickoff return vs. John Bapst Memorial High School of Bangor on opening night. Since then the team has posted over 148 minutes of scoreless play — a portion of which featured a running clock — for a 219-6 point differential to start 2023. The Ponies have also not lost a game in 365 days and counting.
Foxcroft opted to defer to the second half and the Pony defense quickly backed Madison up into a 2nd-and-18 at the Bulldog 21-yard line following a sack. The football was punched loose on third down and the Ponies recovered at the Madison-16.
HE’S GOING TO BE SORE IN THE MORNING — Foxcroft Academy senior Hunter McSorley wraps up Madison senior Brode Strout with Pony senior Devyn Henderson closing in during a Sept. 22 game at Oakes Field. The Ponies won 68-0 to improve to 4-0 behind the team’s third consecutive shutout.
One play was all Foxcroft needed as senior Gage Beaudry took the toss left 16 yards for the touchdown. Beaudry would score on 3- and 4-yard runs on consecutive possessions in the third quarter for three touchdowns on the evening, part of a game-high 82 rushing yards in eight carries.
The next Madison drive also ended quickly as the team opted for a punt on a 4th-and-8 at the team’s own 22. Four plays then moved the football from the Foxcroft-44 to the Bulldog-24.
On first down senior quarterback Wyatt Rayfield threw toward the right sideline and he connected with junior Silas Topolski. The slotback fell into the end zone for the touchdown.
NO ONE LET THE DOGS OUT — Foxcroft seniors Landon Smith, left, and Kemsley Marsters wrap up Bulldog junior Jacob Hilenski for no gain on a third down during the first quarter on Sept. 22. The Ponies gave up just three first downs in a 68-0 victory, with two of these coming late in the game.
Rayfield finished a perfect 8-for-8 for 111 yards and the touchdown. Topolski caught three passes — tying senior Jadon Richard for the game-high – and he led all players with 58 receiving yards.
Senior Kemsley Marsters found the end zone twice in the second quarter. He ran the ball in from 16 yards out and less than three minutes later Marsters brought a punt back 50 yards the other way for a 35-0 advantage. In the fourth quarter sophomore Landon Smith scored on a 35-yard punt return for what would be touchdown No. 10.
Foxcroft also took advantage of a Madison special teams miscue early in the second half. After sophomore Finn Holmes had a 6-yard touchdown run on the first series of the third quarter, Marsters kicked off and the football bounced inside the 5-yard line (three of his first five post-touchdown kickoffs had resulted in touchbacks).
FIVE TOUCHDOWNS BETWEEN THEM – Senior Gage Beaudry returns a third quarter punt next to classmate Kemsley Marsters. Beaudry would rush for three touchdowns and Marsters scored on the ground and on a punt return.
The Bulldogs failed to pick up the live football as Pony sophomore Aidan Bryant grabbed it at the Madison 3-yard line. On 1st-and-goal Beaudry got the carry and he ran inside the right pylon for what was the second of his three times over the goal line.
Foxcroft is set to travel to Waldoboro on Friday, Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. to face the current Class C North first-place leading team Medomak Valley High School. The Panthers are also 4-0, coming off a 32-14 victory at Hermon High School. Foxcroft defeated Hermon 48-0 at Oakes Field in week three.
TGIF, IT’S A TFL — Sophomore Finn Holmes brings down Madison junior Bryan Donnelly for a 6-yard loss on third down to force a punt late in the first half. The Ponies would score on the ensuing punt return to jump out to a 35-0 lead.
FOOTBALL
Foxcroft 68, Madison 0
MAD 0 0 0 0 – 0
FOX 14 21 25 8 – 68
First: F – Beaudry 16 yds (Marsters kick); F – Topolski 24 yds from Rayfield (Marsters kick)
Second: F – McSorley 2 yds (Marsters kick); F – Marsters 16 yds (Marsters kick); F – Marsters 50-yd punt return (Marsters kick)
Third: F – Holmes 6 yds (Marsters kick); F – Beaudry 3 yds (kick blocked); F – Beaudry 4 yds (no kick); F – Johnson 2 yds (pass fail)
Fourth: L. Smith 35-yard punt return (L. Smith rush)
Passing: M – Strout 1-of-2 9 yds Int; Hoton 0-of-1; Miller 0-of-0; F – Rayfield 8-of-8 111 yds TD; Seavey 1-of-1 0 yds; G. Caruso 0-of-0
Receiving: M – Cornforth 1, 9 yds; F – Topolski 3, 58 yds TD; Richard 3, 46 yds; J. Smith 1, 9 yds; Sickler 1, 0 yds; Marsters 1, -2 yds
Rushing: M – Nichols 4, 33 yds; Dickey 13, 11 yds; Strout 3, 7 yds; Hilenski 6, 6 yds; Horton 2, -3 yds; Donnelly, 1 -6 yds; F – Beaudry 8, 82 yds 3 TD; L. Smith 1, 37 yds; Marsters 3, 20 yds TD; Holmes 2, 20 yds TD; Vandermast 1, 12 yds; Rayfield 1, 3 yds; G. Caruso 1, 2 yds; Johnson 1, 2 yds TD; McSorley 1, 2 yds TD
Records: M – 0-4; F 4-0