MDI Falls in Semi-finals 42-27

The MDI Trojan's Football season came to an end Saturday afternoon, November 9th in Waterville, as the #2 seeded Waterville Purple Panthers defeated MDI 42-27, and Waterville will now play #1 seed Winslow, next Saturday, November 16th at 1 PM for the Eastern Maine Class C Championship.

Waterville was missing 8 players, but they had junior Dan Pooler, who had a monstrous game, rushing the ball 37 times for 314 yards, and had an interception. Pooler scored 4 touchdowns for the Purple Panthers.

Waterville won the toss,and deferred, and MDI took the opening kick-off at their own 13 yard line. They scored on their opening drive, a drive that took 4:51 and 9 plays, capped off with Jon Phelps running in from 27 yards out. When Phelps extra point attempt went through the uprights, MDI led 7-0 with 7 minutes remaining in the 1st quarter.

Waterville took over on their own 30 yard line, and it took only 1:48 for them to score, a 5 play drive with Dan Pooler scoring from 31 yards out. Jordhan Levine kicked the extra point and with 5:05 remaining in the 1st quarter, the score was tied 7-7.

MDI returned the kick-off to their own 23 yard line. 5 plays later, Teagan Candage was running in from 44 yards out. The drive took 2:33 and Phelps' extra point attempt sailed through the uprights, and with 2:25 left in the 1st quarter MDI led 14-7.

After MDI took over on a fumble caused by Boomer Carroll at the start of the 2nd quarter on their own 33 yard line, they couldn't move the ball, and were forced to punt the ball into the wind. Waterville took over at their own 48 yard line, with 9:51 remaining int he half. Waterville would score on a pass play from Aidan FitzGerald to Troy Gurski, a 6 yard pass, and when Levine kicked the extra point, the score was tied 14-14 with 5:57 left in the half.

MDI returned the kick-off to their own 31 yard line, and 5:13 later, Phelps ran the ball in from the 6 yard line, and then kicked the extra point with 37 seconds remaining in the half. MDI led at half-time 21-14.

MDI outgained Waterville 236 yards to 150 yards. But there was still one half to play, and Waterville made adjustments at half time, and were set to receive the ball first.

Waterville started the 3rd quarter on their own 37 yard line, and it only took one play, a Dan Pooler 63 yard run, and the score was tied 21-21 when Levine's kick was good with 11:41 left in the 3rd.

MDI returned the ball to their own 11 yard line, but were unable to move the ball, and kicked into the wind. Waterville took over on their 34 yard line.4:19 later, Pooler ran in from 6 yards out. Levine's kick was good, and for the first time all afternoon, Waterville led MDI 28-21 with 5:23 left in the 3rd quarter.

MDI would start on their own 30, and again their offense was ineffective. Punting the ball, Waterville took over on the MDI 49 with 4:04 left in the 3rd, and it only took 1:42 before Troy Gurski ran in from 34 yards out. Levine's kick was good, and Waterville led 35-21 with 2:22 left in the 3rd quarter.

MDI would score on a 90 yard punt return by Jon Phelps, as he scampered down the right sideline. His kick was no good, but MDI was within 8 points, 35-27 with 11:02 left in the game.

Waterville put the game out of reach, scoring again with 1:46 left int he game, when Pooler ran in from 2 yards out. Levine's kick was good, and the final score was 42-27.

Offensive Stats

MDI

Teagan Candange 11 -77 yards 1 Touchdown

Taner Bickford 10 - 40 yards

Jon Phelps 8 - 38 yards 2 Touchdowns

Sandy Henggeler 5 - 8 yards

Jon Phelps 4 - 12 passing for 64 yards and 1 interception

Keiran Rush 2 receptions 48 yards

Dakota Stewart 1 reception 30 yards

Taner Bickford 1 reception -14 yards.

Waterville

Dan Pooler 37 - 314 yards 4 touchdowns