The Stearns Minutemen held off a late Houlton rally to hold on for a 56-52 football win on Saturday evening.
Caden Raymond rushed for 108 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries for the Minutemen. Caleb Shearer rushed for 65 yards and two touchdowns plus threw for 43 yards and a touchdown. Stearns took a 32-20 lead going to the break when Shearer connected with Aiden Sanders on a 49 yard scoring play at the end of the half.
AJ Lewis and Isaiah Ervin powered the Shires attack. Lewis had three touchdowns, including two rushing scores on 10 carries. Ervin ran for 185 yards and one touchdown, while he threw for 76 yards and two touchdowns on 7-20 passing. Daniel Clark and Wyatt Sanford also had touchdowns for Houlton.
Dominic Hatch highlighted the second half with an 81 yard kickoff return that ended in the endzone for Stearns.
The Minutemen held a 48-28 lead entering the final quarter. Lewis scored on a five yard run, and Ervin converted on a two point conversion to cut the deficit to 48-36 with 8:29 left in the fourth quarter. Stearns responded quickly when Adams ran in a 62 yard touchdown with 8:29 left. Shearer connected with Nick Powers on a two point play to make the score 56-36. Clark and Ervin had late touchdowns for the Shires, but Stearns held on to move their record to 4-0 on the season.
The Minutemen will host Mount View on September 30th. Houlton (0-4) will travel to St. John Valley on October 1st.
