Noble senior quarterback Brandon Drake looks to make a play during the Knights’ preseason scrimmage against Biddeford Friday night at Waterhouse Field. The Tigers held on for a 26-21 win. (SAM BONSEY/JOURNAL TRIBUNE)
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to include the correct name of the Biddeford quarterback who took first-team reps.
BIDDEFORD – Despite both programs playing in Class B South this year, Noble and Biddeford High won’t face each other on the football field during the regular season.
So, when the Knights and Tigers hooked up for a scrimmage Friday night at Waterhouse Field in Biddeford, a 26-21 Tigers win, the matchup provided a unique opportunity for the teams to test what they’ve learned this preseason.
“Biddeford’s a very good football program,” said Noble head coach Keenon Blindow. “(Waterhouse Field) is an awesome place to play. There’s a lot of tradition, so to see them right off the bat and to see what we’re going against this year is crucial.”
Biddeford and Noble each played its first-teamers for most of the first half. The Tigers are tasked with finding Carter Edgerton’s replacement at quarterback and went with Marc Reali for their first possession. Reali and Ashton Crowell alternated possessions at quarterback for Biddeford. Reali helped the Tigers take a 7-0 lead with 7:31 left in the opening stanza when he punched a touchdown in from two yards out. The Knights tied the score on a 41-yard scamper from Matthew Beerworth with just over two minutes remaining in the quarter, but Biddeford took control coming out of the break.
In the second quarter, Crowell found Alex McAlevy for a 30-yard catch-and-run during a drive that ended with Anthony Mariello scoring from two yards out 44 seconds into the quarter to make it 14-7. Scott Kelly then returned a punt for a score after Biddeford’s defense held Noble to a three-and-out on the next possession to extend its lead. The Tigers led 20-7 at halftime before both teams brought in the second-teamers.
The second half was a modified game. Instead of punting on fourth downs, officials moved the ball up the field 25 yards for other take to take possession. The Knights’ second string came away with several big plays, most coming from sophomore Anthony Prack, who had three rushes for 10 or more yards on Noble’s last possession.
“Noble over there, they’re a good team,” said Biddeford head coach Brian Curit. “I think it’s very important to play against a caliber team like that.”
Even though the scrimmage didn’t count against the record, Blindow was impressed with the resolve of his underclassmen.
“The kids we got are resilient,” he said. “We have a pretty strong sophomore class in our second group, and we saw that tonight so that’s exciting for the future.”
FUMBLE
Biddeford fumbled the ball four times and did so on two straight plays in its second series. The Tigers recovered the ball on each of them, but Curit said the team has to eliminate those problems if they want to have a successful season.
“That’s been a problem so far in the preseason,” Curit said. “But, we’ll address it and take care of it.”
SHOWING OFF HIS ARM
Noble quarterback Brandon Drake showed impressive arm strength on multiple occasions during the first half. While none of his long attempts came for completions, Blindow said he expects the senior to air it out more in the regular season, and lauded Drake’s ability to make plays.
“(Brandon’s) learning,” Blindow said. “Like any quarterback, he made some mistakes, but that ‘s something we’ll look at film and we’ll help him read it a little better. He did a great job for us and made some good plays.”
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