WINSLOW — The Winslow High School football team’s offense is primarily built on the run. Led by senior tailback Dylan Hapworth and his 1,646 yards, the Black Raiders were happy to grind out drives throughout the season.
That’s not to say Winslow will not throw the ball. The Black Raiders can, and when they do, it’s usually for a big play.
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Class C State Championship
Leavitt (10-1) vs. Winslow (10-0)
• 7:06 p.m. Friday
• Where: Alfond Stadium, the University of Maine
Winslow’s opponent in the Class C state championship game on Friday night at the University of Maine is Leavitt. This season, the Hornets have thrown the ball more than they have in recent seasons. That means Justin Martin, Trenton Bouchard and Jacob Trask — Winslow’s top pass catchers on offense and top pass defenders on defense — will be among the most important players in Winslow’s lineup come Friday night.
“They’re solid all-around two way players,” Winslow coach Mike Siviski said. “We run the ball a lot, and we’ve done some selective throwing.”
Winslow quarterback Bobby Chenard only had to attempt 52 passes in the regular season. Of Chenard’s 28 completions, nine were for touchdowns. That one in three touchdown per completion ratio was even better in the Eastern Class C championship game, when three of Chenard’s five completions went for touchdowns, two to Trask and one to Martin.
“Bobby’s really stepped up this year. We’ve put in a bunch of plays where he can get out. We’re pretty athletic, so we can get open, and he’s been pretty accurate,” Martin said.
At 6-foot-6, Martin is tough matchup for just about every defense. Martin caught five touchdowns in the regular season on just 11 receptions. Defensively, Martin can line up at either linebacker or defensive back.
“He’s played linebacker and secondary, where needed, and he’s done a heck of a job,” Siviski said of Martin. “He’s a big hitter. On offense, he’s a real good blocker. He can really catch the ball. He’s very versatile player for us.”
On Friday night, Martin could line up against Leavitt tight end, himself a big target at 6-3.
In Saturday’s 29-12 win over Waterville, both of Trask’s catches went for a 30 yard touchdown.
“The line’s stepped up, keeping people away from Bobby, and he’s making his throws,” Bouchard said.
Bouchard’s biggest catch of the season came at Foxcroft Academy on Oct. 10. With the Black Raiders trailing 16-7 late in the second quarter, Bouchard caught a Chenard pass down the right sideline for a 33-yard gain to the Ponies’ 16. Seven plays later, Chenard connected with Martin for a touchdown, cutting Foxcroft’s lead to 16-14. Winslow went on to win, 26-25 after Trask caught a 26-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter.
“Bouchard has come on. He’s one of our most improved players. He can catch the ball. He’s an outstanding blocker on the outside, both he and Trask,” Siviski said.
Defensively, the trio will lead a secondary thatin Leavitt, faces the strongest passing game it will see this season. Four Hornet receivers have at least 30 catches this season.
“They’re definitely bigger than anyone we’ve faced. The ball’s going to be up in the air. It’s going to be tough to get up over them,” Bouchard said.
Martin led the conference with six interceptions in the regular season. Trask had three picks.
“It’s a real challenge for our secondary. For our front too, keeping their quarterback in (the pocket), but our secondary has the biggest challenge of the season, by far. You don’t get this far without being challenged,” Siviski said.
Travis Lazarczyk — 861-9242
Twitter: @TLazarczykMTM
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