The Boothbay Seahawks moved to 6-0 in Class E play with an 8-6 come from behind victory Oct. 6 against Sacopee Valley. Boothbay’s defense was once again the star of the game. Sacopee scored on its first drive, but managed only 118 total yards for the game. Boothbay gained 245 yards but trailed for three quarters before finding the end zone early in the fourth.

Seahawk quarterback Jay Hasch tied the game on a two-yard rush. The play worked so well, Boothbay head coach Ed Crocker ran the same play for the two-point conversion. Last season, the two former Campbell Conference foes met in the Independent League and Sacopee was the only team to defeat Boothbay.

“They are a well-coached team. It looked like Sacopee was prepared to defend our reverses and running around the edges. They shut down our passing game, too. The only place we gained yardage was running up the middle,” Crocker said.

The stingy Seahawk defense was led by Mike Hallowell who had two tackles and four assists and Cameron Crocker with two tackles and 13 assists. The Boothbay defense was especially good on third down by limiting Sacopee Valley to converting only one of nine attempts. Boothbay’s offense was led by Hallowell with 67 rushing yards. Boothbay converted five of 11 third down attempts.

This was the second time Boothbay’s defense shut down the opposition after allowing a first quarter score. On Sept. 22, the Seahawks surrendered a first quarter touchdown to Maranacook, before rallying with two second half touchdowns to win 13-6. Crocker credits team defensive coordinator Smith Climo with preparing the unit to play at a high level each week. Crocker also credits his defensive unit for its work ethic during practice.

“These guys love to hit and we hit every day in practice,” Crocker said. “They are also in great condition. So at the end of the game, while the opposition is thinking about how tired they are, we are thinking about hitting.”

Boothbay receives a forfeit next weekend because Traip dropped out of the league. The Seahawks’ next game is against Camden Hills, which has won four straight after beginning with losses to Boothbay and Maranacook. The Windjammers travel to Sherman Field at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20. Camden Hills has scored impressive wins over Maranacook and Sacopee Valley this season.

“They are a different team since we beat them 35-20. They’ve added a couple players and are playing really well. I expect another tough battle,” he said.

All five remaining Class E teams will make the playoffs. Crocker expects Boothbay, Maranacook and Camden Hills to receive first-round byes. Boothbay’s first playoff game would be home Friday, Nov. 3 against the winner of Sacopee Valley and Telstar. The Class E championship game would be either Nov. 9 or 10 at the higher seed’s home field.