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Birch Hills fields a football team for first time in quarter century, impressive effort against PACI

Sep 9, 2011 | 7:12 AM

BIRCH HILLS — For in the first time in about 26 years, Birch Hills School fielded a football team Thursday.

The Birch Hills Marauders had a boisterous crowd behind them at their home field and despite an excellent second half, they lost to the PACI Golden Bears 45-32.

“It was awesome,” said Marauders head coach Kevin Tait.

“We decided to bring it back last year, it took a while but with a lot of help from the school and the kids were very enthusiastic of putting a team together.

“The guys have a really great work ethic and it’s been amazing. I wasn’t exactly sure how it was going to be, however right from the get go, a lot of togetherness, leadership and all the guys were together. It was just fun to be around.”

Relying heavily on pitches in the first half, the Marauders gave more freedom to quarterback Jared Wicks, allowing him to run the ball on options and draws. He scored all four of the Marauders touchdowns in the second half. Aaron Springinotic scored the lone first half marker for Birch Hills, who trailed 19-6 at the half.

“As the game went on, we saw a lot of improvements,” said Tait.

“We did a little bit of adjustments with our quarterback running and did some things. We don’t have a lot of plays right now, but the offence is really coming along.”

Birch Hills’ debut, although a losing one showed they came to play and that impressed PACI head coach Graham McGregor.

“Birch Hills was amazing,” said McGregor.

“We’re so happy for them for those guys that they have a team out here and have an opportunity to have a program. They came out here and played a great, whale of a game really happy for them.”

But McGregor was very pleased with his side as well, who have struggled coming out of the gate in recent history.

“We haven’t had a first game win for the last three or four years now, it’s a great opportunity for these guys to feel good about what they’re doing and give them some motivation to keep on improving,” said McGregor.

“Most of these guys are first year players. Some of our older guys are guys we had come in from St. Louis and some of our PACI guys are first year and learning brand new positions with brand new responsibilities and they still executed very, very well.”

The Golden Bears offence was very balanced, but led by quarterback Wendall Halkett, who rushed for 147 yards and two touchdowns.

“He was an absolute horse out there for us today,” said McGregor.

“He did everything, he passed the ball, he ran the ball, he blocks after the ball is gone. He’s obviously very important.”

For the first time, PACI and St. Louis agreed on a co-op arrangement and McGregor said he was very pleased with it so far, and he should be.

St. Louis players Sheldon Letendre had 78 yds rushing and 60 yards receiving with three touchdowns and Landon Lajuenesse had 75 yards rushing and 66 yds receiving including two TDs.

Two St. Louis imports lead the way on defence as well as Kirk Lentendre and Brock Trumier had nine tackles each.

PACI’s next game is at home Monday against the Aberdeen Crusaders.

jdandrea@panow.com