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WINSLOW — The last undefeated Class D football team gave the Winslow Black Raiders everything they could handle in an effort to keep its perfect record intact.

It wasn’t enough, and if there was any doubt that Winslow is still a state title threat despite serious roster turnover, it can be put to rest.

Winslow beat Freeport 14-6 on Saturday at Poulin Field. The Black Raiders held the Falcons to 155 yards and made a late fourth-down stop to preserve the win.

“They’ve been dominating teams, so we wanted to make sure we came out here today and really tried to slow them down, control the football ourselves and take the clock down,” said Winslow coach Wes Littlefield. “I thought we did a good job of that.”

HOW IT HAPPENED

Winslow’s defense set the tone on the opening drive, forcing Freeport into a three-and-out. The Black Raiders (3-1) rode the momentum on offense, as Jace Poulin hit Noah Harding for a 27-yard touchdown pass midway through the first quarter.

“I love Jace,” said Winslow sophomore Michael Loubier. “He’s just been a blessing for us as a freshman coming in — being a leader and being a lead blocker. He’s an awesome kid, too.”

Freeport (3-1) answered, going 61 yards in eight plays, as Andrew Thomas ran for a 25-yard score to cut Winslow’s lead to 8-6.

After a scoreless second quarter, the Black Raiders went ahead 14-6 midway through the third. The offensive line powered Poulin into the end zone for a 5-yard run.

Freeport made one last gasp in the fourth quarter, driving from its own 20 into the red zone. But after the Falcons were flagged for a false start on fourth-and-3, Winslow stopped Sam Willard 1 yard short of a first down.

WHAT IT MEANS

• There are no undefeated teams in Class D. Freeport, which ended Winthrop’s 12-game winning streak in Week 2, was the only 3-0 team entering Week 4. Just like it did last year, Winslow handed the Falcons their first loss of the season on a warm September afternoon.

• Winslow is a bonafide Gold Ball contender again. With 27 players on the roster, the Black Raiders are thinner and less experienced than last year’s senior-heavy Class D North title-winning team. Nevertheless, Winslow is as talented — and as big on the lines — as ever.

“We saw that (Freeport) beat Winthrop, and that was our motivation to beat them,” said Winslow senior lineman Ben Thomas. “We’ve just got to play disciplined football — from here on out, play disciplined football. That’s all.”

UNSUNG HERO: BEN THOMAS

Littlefield said Thomas was “easily” Winslow’s best offensive lineman as a junior on a senior-laden unit in 2025. Thomas, though, missed much of last season after he was injured in the fifth game against Mattanawcook Academy. He did not return until the regional final.

His impact was felt Saturday. Thomas generated some huge holes for Loubier and Isaac Bulger. He was also a menace on defense, limiting big plays in the ground game and applying pressure in the rare instances when Freeport passed.

“Ben has been a huge part of our program since he was a freshman,” Littlefield said. “He’s a huge part of our program; he’s an emotional leader, and he’s obviously our captain. We lean on him heavily.”

STAT LEADERS

• Freeport: Sam Willard (8 carries, 54 yards), Andrew Thomas (five carries, 46 yards, touchdown)

• Winslow: Jace Poulin (27-yard touchdown pass; six carries, 18 yards, touchdown), Michael Loubier (18 carries, 88 yards), Isaac Bulger (12 carries, 71 yards)

UP NEXT

• Freeport: vs. Morse (3-1), 6 p.m. Friday

• Winslow: at Mattanawcook Academy (2-2), 7 p.m. Friday