Highlights From Last Year

(9-15-07) Lumberjacks Complete Preseason with a Scrimmage vs BB&N

(L 0-41)
The Hebron Academy Lumberjacks had 28 players in their preseason camp to get ready for the upcoming season. The focus of the camp was on learning as over half the team is new to Hebron this fall.

After five days of double sessions and a week of normal practice, the Lumberjacks scrimmaged the BB&N Knights from Cambridge, MA. The Knights used their experience to control the tempo of the scrimmage.

The Lumberjack offense was led by quarterback Nic Wilson who completed 10 passes during the scrimmage and was Hebron’s leading rusher. Captain Peter Buckley and Joe Martin were the leading receivers for Hebron. On defense, Hebron was led by linebacker captains Mike Orsini and Will Sandkuhler.

(9-22-07) The Helmet Returns to Tilton

(L 6-42)
Tilton, N.H. – Since 1991 the winner of the Hebron – Tilton football game is awarded a leather helmet that is painted half Hebron white and half Tilton gold. For the past two years the Helmet has stayed in Hebron, but after this year’s game, the helmet was given to the Tilton Ram team. An experienced and talented Tilton team defeated the Lumberjacks 42 – 6.

Hebron received the opening kickoff and rushed for a first down before punting the ball to Tilton. A long run by the Rams brought the ball down to the Lumberjack 5 yard line. The Hebron defense was able to keep Tilton from scoring, and the Lumberjacks regained possession of the ball on downs. On the third down play, the Rams intercepted a pass and returned it down to the Hebron 1 yard line. They scored on the next play. Hebron fumbled the ball back to Tilton on the Lumberjacks’ next possession. The Rams then scored on a 40 yard run to gain a 13 – 0 lead.
The Lumberjacks followed this score with a 10-play drive that went the length of the field. Quarterback captain Peter Buckley had several good runs and he completed a pass to tight end Joe Martin to move the ball to the 19 yard line. On the next play, the ball bounced off a Hebron’s receiver’s hands and was intercepted in the end zone. The first quarter ended with Tilton having a 13 – 0 lead.

Tilton scored on this possession and then earned a safety on a poor Hebron snap. After the Hebron punt, the Rams scored on a long run from scrimmage to make the score 28 – 0. The Lumberjack offense could not move the ball and was forced to punt. Tilton returned the ball to Hebron’s 15 yard line, and the Lumberjack defense held on downs at their 13 yard line. On fourth down, a mishandled punt snap gave the Rams another safety. Tilton took advantage of a short field for another score and returned an interception 40 yards for the final score of the period. The first half ended with Tilton leading by a 42 – 0 score.

The Lumberjacks scored late in the fourth quarter when Peter Buckley scored on a 3 yard run.
Offensively, Peter Buckley had 14 carries for 95 yards, and tailback sophomore Cory O’Brien carried 10 times for 40 yards. Buckley completed 7 passes for 57 yards. Tight end Joe Martin had 5 catches.

On defense, the leading tacklers were back Cory O’Brien and senior lineman Geoff Newitt. Other members of the defensive line- seniors Julien Guerard, Brooks Schandelmeier, and Dustin Cole (a recovered fumble) - played well.

(9-29-07) Football v. Portsmouth Abbey: A Disappointing Homecoming

(L 21-48)
Hebron, Me – On a beautiful but windy fall day with Hebron Academy celebrating its Homecoming, the Hebron Lumberjack football team hosted the Ravens of Portsmouth Abbey. A dominating second quarter by the Ravens carried the visitors to a 42 – 21 victory.

The Lumberjacks kicked off to start the game and were able to hold the Abbey team to a 3 and out punt. Hebron took possession of the ball on their 43 yard line but fumbled the ball back to the Ravens on their second play. Abbey used their ball control offense to take advantage of the short field. The Ravens scored on a one yard run but missed the PAT. John Whalen returned the kickoff out to Hebron’s 41 yd. line. Cory O’Brien rushed for a first down and wide receiver Levi Lincoln caught a pass from quarterback Nic Wilson for another first down before the Lumberjacks punted. Hebron was unable to down the punt before it crossed the goal line. After exchanging punts, the first quarter ended with Portsmouth Abbey leading 6 – 0.

The Ravens had the ball on their 15 yard line to start their first possession of the second quarter. A long pass and run brought the ball down to the Hebron 30 yard line. A few plays later, the Abbey quarterback scored on a 15 yard sweep. On Hebron’s first play from scrimmage after the kickoff, the Ravens intercepted a pass and returned the ball 30 yards for a score. Abbey’s next possession started on Hebron’s 48 yard line. The Ravens scored on a 15 yard pass to make the half time score 28 to 0.

On Hebron’s first series of the second half, a 20 yard run by Peter Buckley moved the ball into Raven territory. The Lumberjacks gained a first down on a 4th and 1 play from Abbey’s 20, but an off sides penalty called the play back. The Ravens then regained the ball on downs and moved the ball downfield. They scored on a 4 yard run. As the third quarter was ending, linebacker John Whalen recovered an Abbey fumble and returned it 41 yards for a touchdown. Bobby Thoits kicked the PAT to make the score Abbey 36 – Hebron 7.

The fourth quarter was an entertaining one. Nic Wilson completed a 21 yard pass to Levi Lincoln, and then completed an 18 yard scoring pass to flanker Peter Buckley. The Ravens answered the Hebron score with a 66 yard touchdown run. On the Lumberjack’s next possession, Peter Buckley took a poor punt snap and carried the ball down to the Raven’s 15 yard line. On the next play, another Wilson to Buckley pass resulted in a Hebron score. Tight end Ben Nadeau caught the PAT pass. The Ravens scored on their next possession to earn a 42 – 21 victory.

Offensively, Peter Buckley was the leading rusher for Hebron, gaining 121 yards. Nic Wilson had 78 passing yards. On defense, linemen Brooks Schandelmeier, Joe Martin and Geoff Newitt, along with backs Levi Lincoln and Peter Buckley, were the leading tacklers. Defensive end Julien Guerard had a sack.

(10-6-07) Football v. Pingree: Pingree Defeats Lumberjacks

(L 14-48)
Hamilton, MA - The Hebron Lumberjack football team traveled to the Pingree School to play the Highlanders on a beautiful fall afternoon for football. The Pingree team took advantage of several big plays for scores as they defeated the Lumberjacks 48 – 14.

Pingree took the opening kickoff and marched 67 yards downfield in 9 plays, scoring on a 4-yard run to take an early 7 – 0 lead. The Lumberjacks’ first possession was a three and out . A few plays after the Hebron punt, sophomore linebacker Clebert Marcelin recovered a Highlander fumble. On the next play, senior quarterback Nic Wilson completed a 62 yard scoring pass to wide receiver co-captain Peter Buckley. Bobby Thoits kicked the PAT to tie the game at 7 – 7.

The Pingree team scored on their next possession – a 60 yard drive. The Lumberjacks then fumbled on their first play from scrimmage after the Highlanders kickoff , and Pingree recovered on Hebron’s 17 yd. line. The Highlander fullback scored on the next play to make the score Pingree 21 – 7. The Lumberjack offense was forced to punt on their next series, and a poor punt play gave the Pingree offense another short field at the Hebron 15 yard line.

Pingree scored on a one yard dive as the second quarter started. Junior John Whelan then returned the Highlanders’ kickoff 38 yards down to the Pingree 44 yard line. Nic Wilson completed a 9-yard pass to freshman wide receiver Levi Lincoln and then rushed for the first down. The Lumberjacks missed a first down by less than a yard on a 4th down pass play giving the ball back to Pingree. The Hebron defense forced the Highlanders to punt, but the Lumberjacks then fumbled a fair catch attempt to give the ball back to Pingree at the Hebron 47 yd. line. Pingree scored on an 8-yard pass play to make the halftime score 35 – 7.

The Highlanders scored on their first possession of the second half on a 56-yard pass play. At the start of the fourth quarter, Nic Wilson completed a 57-yard pass to Peter Buckley down to the 8-yard line. The Lumberjacks scored on the next play on another Wilson to Buckley pass play. Bobby Thoits kicked his second PAT of the game. Pingree scored with less than a minute to play to make the game’s final score 48 to 14.

Co-captain linebacker Will Sandkuhler played his best game of the season, making 10 tackles along with 2 assists and 2 sacks. Other defensive leaders were senior linemen Brooks Schandelmeier ( 5 tackles/3 assists) and Julien Guerard ( (5 tackles/1 assist/1 sack). Defensive backs Jimmy Fluke (5 tackles/3 assists) and Levi Lincoln ( 4 tackles/2 assists) played well. On offense Nic Wilson completed 10 passes for 154 yards. Four of those completions were to Peter Buckley.

Lumberjack notes: The JV squad ( with a few younger varsity players) played an entertaining game last Monday with the Mt. Washington Valley Wolves. The team came from behind to earn a 14 – 14 tie. John Whelan and Levi Lincoln scored touchdowns. Malik Garvin rushed for the game tying conversion.

(10-13-07) Hornets defeat Hebron: Proctor Defeats Hebron

(L 7-38)
Hebron, ME – The Proctor Hornets football team traveled to Hebron to play the Lumberjacks on a perfect fall day for a game. Proctor put the game away in the second quarter by scoring four touchdowns as the Hornets defeated Hebron 38 to 7.

The Lumberjacks kicked off to start the game. The Hornets completed a long pass to give them a first and goal at the Hebron 7 yard line. The Lumberjack defense made a tough stand and held the Hornets on downs. Hebron’s offense could not move the ball however, and after the Lumberjack punt, Proctor had the ball at midfield. The Hornets moved downfield and their quarterback scored on a 5 yard run. This was the only scoring in the first quarter.

As the second quarter started, runs by co-captain Peter Buckley and quarterback Nic Wilson earned the Lumberjacks a first down. The Hornets then intercepted a pass to give them a first down at their 42 yard line. A long pass moved the ball down to Hebron’s 11 yard line, and from there Proctor scored on their next play. After gaining a first down on their next possession, Hebron was forced to punt. The Hornets then completed a middle screen pass that went for a 75 yard score. After trading punts, the Hornets had another scoring drive that ended in a 10 yard touchdown run. On Hebron’s first play after this score, a Proctor linebacker intercepted a pass for a 35 yard score. The halftime score was Proctor 35 – Hebron 0.

The only scoring of the third quarter was a 37 yard field goal by Proctor. During the fourth quarter, Hebron had a scoring opportunity end with a pass interception. On their next possession, the Lumberjacks scored when tailback Cory O’Brien had a 3 yard touchdown run. Bobby Thoits kicked the PAT to make the final score Proctor 38 – Hebron 7.

Co-captain linebackers Will Sandkuhler (4 tackles/7 assists) and Mike Orsini (8 tackles/2 assists) were the defensive leaders for Hebron. Free safety Peter Buckley had 7 tackles.

(10-20-07) Holderness Outscores Hebron

(L 28-63)
The Holderness Bulls football team played the Lumberjacks on Parents Weekend on another good fall afternoon for a game. The quick scoring Holderness offense scored several times in the first half to put the game out of reach for the Lumberjacks. The final score was Holderness 63 and Hebron 28.

Holderness kicked off to Hebron to start the game. A poor Hebron punt snap gave the Bulls the ball on the Lumberjack 17 yard line. Holderness took advantage of the short field for a touchdown run. On Hebron’s next possession, the Lumberjacks failed to earn a first down on a fake punt to give Holderness a first down on the Hebron 44 yard line. A 28 yard run resulted in the Bulls’ second score of the period. The Lumberjacks were able to move the ball on their next offensive series as quarterback Nic Wilson completed two passes to wide receiver co-captain Peter Buckley and co-captain fullback Mike Orsini had several carries. The drive was halted when Hebron lost a fumble on the Holderness 27 yard line.

On the next play, co-captain Will Sandkuhler sacked the Holderness quarterback for a loss. Two plays later, lineman Geoff Newitt picked up a Bull fumble and returned the ball 13 yards for a touchdown to make the score Holderness 14 – Hebron 6. The Bulls quickly rebounded on their next series as a long pass brought the ball deep into Hebron territory. An 8 yard touchdown run gave Holderness a 21 – 6 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Lumberjack offense stalled on their first series at the start of the second quarter. Holderness earned a safety and then returned the ensuing kick for another score. Halfway through the quarter, Peter Buckley scored on a 30 yard run. The Bulls answered this score with a long touchdown run. With the quarter ending, linebacker Julien Guerard recovered a Bull fumble and returned it to the Holderness 22 yard line. On the next play Nic Wilson completed a scoring pass to Peter Buckley to make the score 51 – 20 at the half.

Hebron scored once in the second half on a 59 yard pass from Nic Wilson to Peter Buckley. Buckley also scored on the 2 point conversion.

On offense, Nic Wilson completed 14 passes for 189 yards. Peter Buckley caught 6 passes for 129 yards and freshman Levi Lincoln had 4 catches for 51 yards.

The defense was led by linebackers Mike Orsini (7 tackles/4 assists and a sack) and Julien Guerard (5 tackles/5 assists and a fumble recovery). Defensive linemen Dustin Cole (6 tackles/3 asssists), Brooks Schandelmeier (3 tackles/4 assist) and Geoff Newitt (fumble recovery for a touchdown) played well.

(10-27-07) Hebron v. Pomfret

(L 7-26)
The Hebron Academy Lumberjacks traveled to Pomfret, Connecticut to play the Pomfret Griffins on a damp afternoon. Pomfret took advantage of scoring on their first three possessions to take a 20 – 0 first quarter lead on the way to a 26 to 7 victory over the Lumberjacks.

Pomfret started their scoring quickly as the Griffins returned the opening kickoff 78 yards for a score. Hebron’s first possession of the game was a 3 plays and punt series giving the ball back to the Griffins. Pomfret was able to march the ball downfield, taking advantage of some penalties on Hebron. The Griffins scored on a 7 yard pass play to give take a 14 – 0 lead. On the next offensive series, the Lumberjack offense moved the ball to midfield before being forced to punt. Pomfret then scored on a 49 yard pass play to go up by a 20-0 score.

At the beginning of the second quarter, the Griffins intercepted a Hebron pass and returned the ball down to Hebron’s 26 yard line. The Lumberjack defense was able to hold Pomfret on downs at the 17 yard line. Quarterback Nic Wilson then completed a long pass to co-captain Peter Buckley who appeared to have stayed in bounds for the score, but he was ruled out of bounds on Pomfret’s 31 yard line. Using the running of co-captain fullback Mike Orsini, the Lumberjacks rushed for a first down. Two plays later the Griffins intercepted a pass to get the ball back at their 8 yard line. In the next two series, neither team could move the ball, keeping the score at 20 – 0 at the half.

At the start of the third quarter, a punt by Peter Buckley forced Pomfret to start their first series of the half from their 20 yard line. The Lumberjack defense put pressure on the Griffin quarterback to force a fumble that defensive end Julien Guerard recovered and advanced down to Pomfret’s 15 yard line. A run by Peter Buckley for a first down set up a touchdown dive of two yards by Mike Orsini. Buckley kicked the PAT to make the score Pomfret 20 – Hebron 7. The Lumberjack defense forced the Griffins to punt on their next series. Just as it appeared that Hebron was gaining momentum, the slippery conditions produced a Hebron fumble on their 10 yard line. The Griffins took advantage of the short field to score on a pass play to increase their lead to 26 to 7. An interception stopped Hebron’s next offensive series.

During the fourth quarter, the Lumberjacks had a good offensive series and moved the ball into Griffin territory as Levi Lincoln and Peter Buckley caught back-to-back passes. Hebron advanced down to Pomfret’s 35 yard line before being unable to convert on a fourth down play.
The leaders of the Lumberjack defense were the linebacking trio of Mike Orsini, co-captain Will Sandkuhler, and Peter Buckley. Brooks Schandelmeier and Dustin Cole anchored the defensive line.

(11-5-07) Hyde Defeats Hebron Academy

(L 21-48)
Hebron, ME – Due to a strong Nor’easter’s rain and wind, the Hebron – Hyde football game that was scheduled to be under the lights had to be postponed from a Saturday night game to a Monday afternoon game on Hebron’s field. The Hyde Phoenix scored twice in the first quarter on the way to a 47 to 21 victory over the Lumberjacks.

Hebron took the kickoff to start the game, but could not move the ball and punted to Hyde. The Lumberjack defense tackled Hyde for a loss on the first play from scrimmage, but on the next play Hyde swept 73 yards for touchdown. This score gave the Phoenix an early 6- 0 lead. The Lumberjacks gained a first down on their next series, but could not sustain a drive. After receiving the Hebron punt, the Phoenix lost a fumble to Hebron on a recovery by defensive end Joe Martin. Hebron could not take advantage of the turnover, and punted the ball back to Hyde. The Phoenix then scored on another 70 yard run to gain a 13 – 0 advantage. John Whelan returned the kickoff out to midfield. The Lumberjacks did not use the good field position as Hyde intercepted a Hebron pass and returned the ball to the Lumberjacks 26 yard line as the first quarter ended.

A few plays later Hyde scored on a 12 yard pass play to open the second quarter. Freshman Levi Lincoln returned Hyde’s kickoff out to Hebron’s 38 yard line. Co-captain Peter Buckley rushed for a first down before quarterback Nic Wilson completed a 43 yard pass to split end Levi Lincoln down to the 3 yard line. On the next play Peter Buckley ran for a touchdown. Bobby Thoits kicked the extra point to close the score to 20 to 7. The momentum change to the Lumberjacks was short lived as Hyde returned Hebron’s kickoff 79 yards for a score. On Hebron’s next series, Peter Buckley ran a reverse play for 12 yards on a 4th and 8 yards to go play for a first down. A Nic Wilson to Peter Buckley pass moved the ball 33 yards down to Hyde’s 18 yard line. Then Peter Buckley threw a touchdown pass to senior flanker Peter Plumeri. Another Bobby Thoits PAT kick made the score 28 – 14 in Hyde’s favor. A fumble recovery by defensive lineman Brooks Schandelmeier returned the ball to Hebron with good field position on Hyde’s 23 yard line. The Phoenix held the Lumberjacks on downs inside Hyde’s 20 yard line. A few players later Hyde scored on another 71 yard run to increase Hyde’s lead to 34 – 14. John Whelan returned the Hyde kickoff down to the Phoenix’s 30 yard line, but two pass attempts went incomplete as the first half ended.

The hectic pace of the game continued in the third quarter. Co-captain Mke Orsini recovered a Hyde fumble near midfield to give the Lumberjacks good field position. Hebron, however, turned the ball back over to Hyde with an interception. The Phoenix completed a 46 yard scoring pass to go up 41 – 14. Another interception by Hyde at the Hebron 37 yard line resulted in a Hyde score. On Hebron’s next series, Nic Wilson completed a 34 yard pass to Levi Lincoln inside the Phoenix 20 yard line. Hyde stripped away the ball and recovered on their 27 yard line as the third quarter ended.

On the first series of the fourth quarter, a Nic Wilson to Peter Buckley pass gave the Lumberjacks a first down on Hyde’s 26 yard line. Two straight runs by fullback Clay Marcelin resulted in a Hebron score. A 19 yard return of a Hyde punt gave the Lumberjacks a first down on Hyde’s 36 yard line. Peter Buckley carried for 15 yards and Cory O’Brien caught a pass for 16 yards to bring the ball inside Hyde’s 10 yard line. The Phoenix stripped the ball from Hebron again as it appeared the Lumberjacks were crossing the goaline. The final score: Hyde 47 – Hebron 21.

Offensively, Peter Buckley carried 11 times for 79 yards to lead Hebron’s rushing game that accounted for 128 yards. He also had 2 receptions for 77 yards and threw a touchdown pass. Levi Lincoln had two receptions for 77 yards as well. Nic Wilson completed 7 passes for 144 yards. On defense, co-captain linebackers Mike Orsini (5 tackles/7 assists/ a blocked PAT/a fumble recovery) and Will Sandkuhler (6 tackles/4 assists) led the team. Lineman Brooks Schandelmeier recorded 5 tackles and 5 assists with a fumble recovery, and back Cory O’Brien had 4 tackles with 3 assists.

(11-10-07) The Headmaster's Chair Goes to Kents Hill

(L 14-28)
Kents Hill, ME – The headmaster of the victorious school in the Kents Hill – Hebron football game keeps the Headmasters’ Chair (a chair that has the insignias of both Kents Hill and Hebron on it) in their office. After residing in Hebron the past few years, the chair is back at Kents Hill since the Huskies defeated the Lumberjacks 28 – 14 in an intensely played game.

The Lumberjacks kicked off to start the game, and co-captain Mike Orsini recovered a Kents Hill fumble on the Kents Hill 29 yard line. With the help of a holding penalty on Hebron, the Huskies held the Lumberjacks on downs. After earning one first down, the Huskies punted on their next series. Hebron had good field position after the punt near midfield. After gaining a first down, Hebron turned the ball over to Kents Hill with an interception. The Huskies drove down to the Hebron 24 yard line where the Lumberjacks help on downs. Three straight carries gave Hebron a first down, and then quarterback Nic Wilson throw a 65 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver co-captain Peter Buckley. The Lumberjacks missed the extra point but had an early 6 – 0 lead.
As the second quarter started, the Lumberjack defense forced the Huskies to punt. Peter Buckley had an excellent return, but was stripped of the ball on the Kents Hill one yard line. The Huskies drove the ball out to their 41 yard line before punting back to Hebron. The Lumberjacks started this series from their 13 and gained a first down before a blocking in the back penalty moved the ball back toward the Hebron goaline. After a poor punt attempt, Kents Hill had the ball at Hebron’s 29 yard line. Kents Hill was tackled for a three yard loss before completing a 32 yard touchdown pass. The Huskies threw a PAT pass to earn an 8 – 6 half time lead.

After receiving the kick to start the second half, the Hebron offense could not move the ball. Another poor punt attempt by the Lumberjacks gave Kents Hill the ball on Hebron’s 6 yard line. On a fourth and 1 play, the Huskies scored to go up 15 to 6. The teams traded punts over their next series. A short Hebron punt into the wind gave Kents Hill a first down on the Lumberjacks 42 yard line. Two plays later Kents Hill dove off tackle for a 41 yard touchdown run as the third quarter ended to make the score 22 to 6.

The Lumberjacks turned the ball over to the Huskies on Hebron’s next possession. A few plays later, the Huskies scored on a 38 yard run to increase their lead to 28 to 6. On Hebron’s next possession, quarterback Nic Wilson completed a 24 yard pass to Peter Buckley to move the ball into Kents Hill territory. Four plays later Peter Buckley scored on a 26 yard run. A Wilson to Buckley pass gave the Lumberjacks a 2-point conversion to make the final score Kents Hill 28 - Hebron 14.

The offensive leaders for Hebron were Peter Buckley who had 41 yards rushing on 8 carries, 113 yards on 5 pass receptions and two touchdowns. Nic Wilson completed 6 passes for 127 yards. On defense the linebacking duo of Mike Orsini (14 tackles/9 assists/ a sack/ fumble recovery) and co-captan Will Sandkuhler (6 tackles/6 assists) played outstanding games. Linemen Dustin Cole (5 tackles/9 assists), Julien Guerard (3 tackles/8 assists) and Brooks Schandelmeier (4 tackles/6assists/ a sack) helped to anchor the defense.

Lumberjack notes – The coaches give special thanks to our captains who were outstanding leaders this season: Mike Orsini, Will Sandkuhler and Peter Buckley. All are three year players. Brooks Schandelmeier and Geoff Newitt were the two four year Lumberjack players. The team’ s other seniors are: Nic Wilson, Ben Nadeau, Ton Sirijongprasert, Peter Plumeri, Danny Sommer, P.J. Senatore, Dustin Cole, Joe Martin, Julien Guerard, and Bobby Thoits. Your contributions to Lumberjack football are appreciated.