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9.9.06
Mariners open season with 33-14 win over Becker College Hawks
Junior Linebacker John Kalagher (Madison, ME) was part of the stifling Mariner defense that allowed only 9 yards on the ground to the Becker College Hawks in the Mariner opening day 33-14 win.

Photo: Pete Travers
On Saturday, September 9th the Mariners opened up the 2006 campaign in Castine with a 33-14 victory over the Becker College Hawks.

The Mariners didn't take long to get on the scoreboard when at the 6:19 mark in the first quarter junior defensive back Nate Bolduc (Farmington, ME) returned a fumble recovery for the opening score. The extra point kick by Brian Matthews (Wells, ME) was good, and MMA jumped out to the early 7-0 lead.

Senior quarterback Brandon Hamilton (Skowhegan, ME) led the young Mariner offense on a day when they racked up 233 yards on the ground, and 77 yards in the air. Hamilton himself ran 19 times for 120 yards, and he was 3 of 7 for 77 yards with one interception.

In the second quarter it was Hamilton who ran the ball in on a 16 yards run to give MMA the 13-0 lead. The extra kick was missed, and the score stayed the same for the rest of the period with the Mariners enjoying the 13-0 half time lead.

In the second half it was the Mariners who continued to dominate the game, when at the 6:44 mark of the third period Freshman Jim Bower (South Paris, ME) ran the ball in from two yards out to up the lead to 19-0 - the extra point kick was good to make it 20-0. At the 3:05 mark it was Brian Matthews (Wells, ME) who collected a 32 yard pass from Hamilton to extend the Mariner lead to 26-0. The extra point kick was missed.

In the fourth quarter Hamilton ran for his second touchdown on the day, capping off an 11 play 80 yards drive to make the score 32-0. The extra point kick by Matthews was good, and with 7 minutes left in the game the lead stood at 33-0.

In the last couple of minutes Becker scored two quick touchdowns with Jacques Faublas connecting on 15 yard and 9 yard passes from quarterback Ryan Grillo to cut the Mariner lead to 33-14.

The Mariner defense was outstanding, limiting the Becker running game to a total of nine yards for the game. Senior Wayne Withers (South Portland, ME) had 6.0 tackles on the day, and both Rob Leighton (Auburn, ME) and Joe Blier (Bangor, ME) chipped in with 5.5 tackles each.

The Mariners go to 1-0 on the season and go on the road to Western New England College next weekend for a 1:00pm Saturday kick-off.
MMA Athletics • Pleasant Street • Castine, ME 04420 • (207) 326-2450