By Lily Hanstein and Mason Barker
PORTLAND – Mt. Blue senior and captain Zak Kendall looks as happy as he is tired while standing in front of the Fitzpatrick Stadium scoreboard which is emblazoned with the final score of 44-42.
“I’ve never played this hard—I think we’ve all never played this hard,” Kendall said.
The electrifying Class B State Championship victory is Mt. Blue’s first in 32 years and came down to the last two minutes when Cougar linebacker Bradley Jackson recovered a Marshwood fumble to seal the win.
Both offenses were effective throughout the night in a game that featured only one punt. Mt. Blue would find success in their running game with captain Chad Luker bulldozing through walls of purple for five scores. Standout quarterback and captain Jordan Whitney would add one more through the air while Calen Lucas dazzled fans with an 85-yard kick return for a touchdown in the first quarter.
The Cougars final touchdown would be to Kendall only a moment before Whitney suffered a crushing hit from Hawks’ defense. “I was so happy to catch that ball and look down and see I was in the end zone,” recalls Kendall.
The Hawks, who went from 2-6 last season to 10-1 under new Head Coach Alex Rotsko would not go down without a fight. Tight pass coverage and an aggressive defensive line forced Whitney to scramble several times throughout the game. Marshwood quarterback Cameron Roll also saw challenge in the pocket but threw for two touchdowns and ran for a third. Hawks sophomore Brett Gerry added two rushing touchdowns of his own.
“They are well coached and have a lot of underclassmen, I have a feeling that Marshwood may be around for a few years,” said Mt. Blue’s Head Coach Gary Parlin of the team in purple.
With 1:50 remaining on the clock, Marshwood took the field for their final drive down 44-42. Poised for season-ending heroics, the Hawks saw their championship hopes dashed after turning the ball over and sealing the Cougars victory—their twelfth of an undefeated season.
The win was especially meaningful to the Mt. Blue coaching staff which has been unable to garner the gold ball since 1980. “I told myself I would sleep for one week when this was done. I don’t think I will be able to sleep for a week,” Parlin said after the game. “This win was fitting of the whole year. He [Jordan Whitney] is the heart and soul of the offense and Bradley Jackson of the defense.”
“A lot of the guys from the 1980 team came and talked about how big this was and at halftime they just told us to keep pushing, to not stop,” said Kendall, who didn’t miss a snap of the game. “They [Marshwood] ran the ball well—they played great. This was everything I thought it would be.”
Luker, who seemed to always deliver when the ball was in his hands, sees the championship game clearly. “We prepped the same way we do every week. We gave it 100 percent and knew it was the last game and had to play with our hearts,” Luker said and he added: “I just want to thank the community and our coaching staff. Coach Parlin definitely deserves this gold ball.”
Awesome game, way to go Mt. Blue. We love you Cougars!
Wow!
Congradulations to the Mt. Blue, Farmington,Wilton football programs. A special nice work to cousin Zak.
Pretty big deal to bring home the State Title. Well deserved for everryone involved.
Tom Barrows
Wow, way to represent! Great job to everybody!
Congratulations to all the players and coaches …. The gold ball now sits at Mt Blue . ( a little extra pat on the back for all the Industry cougars )
Congratulations Mt.Blue football team! Good game.
Congratulations Cougars!!!!..Great work Coach Parlin……
Congrats guys!! Well played!
WOW
Awesome job, guys!
What a thrill!
Congratulations!! What a thrill to watch you, and how much Mt. Blue pride you lit in so many of us – far and wide.
Congrats Cougars you did it!! You brought home the gold ball!! So proud of you all, especially my cousin Bradley Jackson! All the hard work surely did pay off.
Congratulations to the Cougars! Great job Coach Parlin and the other Mt. Blue coaches.
Way to go Cougars!! You made Farmington Proud
Congratulations to the Cougars! And a special shout out to Coach Parlin, who has poured his heart and soul into the football program for years. Enjoy it Gary!
Jeff Hart
Class of 1977
Way to go cougars awesome game
congrats to mt blue cougars coaches and players. all i can say i am proud that i graduated from mt blue you all deserve a big pat on the back be proud of what you have accomplished. lets do it again next year.
GO COUGARS
congratulations coaches and players we are so proud of you. way to go boys way to go………..GO MT BLUE..
Congratulations Mt. Blue Cougars! What an amazing game!
Congrats to Cougars and Coach Parlin and entire coaching staff….dm
We were cheering in Arizona!! Congrats!!
Yeah Cougars! We are so very proud of this team!
Way to go Cougars! You had so many people everywhere hoping you would succeed! We are so proud of you!
Awesome game Mt Blue !! A real nail biter right to the end !! It just goes to show that hard work, determination and faith in yourselves will bring you to your ultimate goal – in football and in whatever you chose to do in life.
What a great game! The best part was seeing all the fans from the Farmington area at the game last night in Portland! Such great support for our team. Congrats! Best Saturday night out in a long time!
So proud to see you take it all the way! Thanks for a great season of football! You showed everyone how a teamwork and dedications makes all things possible.
An awesome season and an amazing game. Enormous congratulations and thanks to the players, coaches, families, and all the other people who made this possible. The intense dedication to practice, training, and the team, knowledge of the game, the intense focus and second-to-second decision making, along with sportsmanship ….wow, it’s all great!
Way to go Mt. Blue, you made all of us that graduated from Mt. Blue proud.
Just the best night ever! These are the greatest group of young men, all around! They are a shining example of what a Mt. Blue athlete is. So proud of the whole team. It shows what hard work and dedication can bring. The coaching staff is also amazing! Love all of these guys!
Great job gentlemen!!!
How sweet it is. Congrats to Coach Parlin and the Cougars! amazing game and season.
Congrats to all players and coaches…It was an awesome game…….
WOOOO HOOOO!!! Congratulations, Cougars!!!
This reminds me of the win in ’88 when Mt. Blue won the class A marching Band Championship against heavy odds. It was a heady time. Now the football team deserves all the applause it can get! It is great to see our school on top of the heap.
Great game!! Great job!!
Marching band? Really? Kinda comparing apples to oranges aren’t you! Way to go BIG BLUE!! You all deserve it and what better fashion then perfect! Coach Parlin and the rest of the coaching staff came threw and showed the state what talent we have here in western ME. Hope to see a repeat!
LOUD TRUCKER, I take nothing away from the Football Team. They had a great year—–a well oiled athletic organizaton. It is inspiring.
But understand, the marching band was also a very well disciplined musical TEAM (YES A TEAM FROM MOUNT BLUE)— a well oiled musical machine coached by Dennis Hayes, and Debbie Hiltz. By winning the championship the team was invited to march in the Presidential Inaugural Parade in “89. In a couple of weeks the music boosters raised $80,000!!!! All of Maine was behind the band. Mount Blue High School was there on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington DC in the high wind and the cold that January day doing their best. MBHS was on every channel. There was even a story about them on CNN. It was heroic and a great piece of history for MBHS. It should not be belitled.
No need for a manicure, what a nail biter to the very end. 100% team effort and not to say a great coaching game plan. So proud of our Cougars and what wonderful support from our community. Thank you Cougars for these Friday nights I will never forget and special thanks to # 84 (Run Forrest Run)
We are very proud of all of our students. Over the years, we have had many reasons to celebrate. Our music groups, drama clubs, academic teams, loggers, musicals, and sports teams (to name a few) have all done us proud. We have also had FTC Students go to offer their expertise to those in need, right now it is the CNA Program and years ago Mike Fogg took the building and construction crew to Homestead FL.
We are blessed to have talented and generous students, mentors, and a supportive community. Each and every accomplishment is something to be proud of and celebrate.
Saturday night our young men of the football team did the community proud. Their hard work and dedication paid off in an amazing win. Thank you for another wonderful memory gentlemen, we are very proud of you, your coaches, and your families.
One of the most exciting high school football games I think I have EVER Seen…
AND WE WON!!!!!
Good Job Young Men !!!!
Enjoy it,,,be safe.
Also congrats to the Marshwood Team,,,
THEY WERE NO EASY MATCHUP.
I bet we’ll see them again,,
Hope so.
I can remember wanting to join the Marching Band so badly and having that goal because they were AMAZING. When I started my freshmen year, the marching band had been cut that summer so I was not able to take part in it. I think any sport or activity that has the chance to make their community proud is a big deal. CONGRATS TO THE FOOTBALL TEAM, COACHES AND LETS NOT FORGET OUR CHEERLEADERS WHO ARE ALSO THERE TO SUPPORT THEIR TEAM AND SCHOOL. LOVED THE BANNER CHEERLEADER!!!
It sure was a nail biter game with 100% action. It will be talked about for years to come. Both teams played their hearts out and did amazing!
Once a cougar~always a cougar!!!!! COUGAR PRIDE ALL THE WAY!!!
Right or wrong…lets not turn this forum into a debate….This is a great moment in Mt Blue history….enjoy this folks, its been a long time in the making…
Congratulations to Mt Blue Football team, players, coaches, the entire school. As a parent I am completely impressed by the quality of these young men. They fought like lions (cougars)! To go undefeated and win the state championship is no easy task. Surrounded by amazing talent, heart, and courage Jordan Whitney led these fierce competitors to victory. So much talent on this team. But more importantly there is so much character and integrity on this team. They are a class act on and off the field. The accomplishments they have had will carry them through any challenge they face in life. Good luck to all of you!
Congrats to team, coaches, and the many supporters. We are proud of you
What a game!!!! So proud to be a Cougar fan!!!!
Congratulations to the Class B State Football Champions, the Mt. Blue Cougars! Especially to coach Gary Parlin, he’s a true gentlemen and man of great character. We’re fortunate here in Western Maine to have such great coaches and student-athletes. You make our community proud!
Way to go Cougars!!! You played with heart and determination to the end!
Thanks to all the people who carried my weight as a football Mom. Working 6 days a week for 8 months has taken front and center. I wish I could of been there but i couldnt. I appreciatte those who have always been there for my son.
I remember watching Jordan, Bradley, Chad and Zak way back in their AYF days, …we always knew that they were talented bunch. There was talk about them taking the state championships even back then. Good work boys! Glad to see that your dreams became a reality!!!
What an amazing season! congratulations to the cheerleaders, players, coaches and families! that night was surreal- I am so proud to be a cougar fan. It reminded me of “a few” years ago when the 1987 Football team was PTC Eastern Maine Class A Champs- Way to go Big Blue!!! we sure are going to miss the senior “boys of fall”.
You derserve all the glory players and coaches, what a splendid victory, and I think Jordan, Chad and Bradley deserve a Fitzpactic trophy for their 4 years of excellent football plays ! And we, the parents and grandparents are so very proud of our boys in Blue and Gold, thr Goud looks good on you !