On Oct. 12, the difference between victory and defeat for Boothbay was seven yards. On the Class E football game’s final play, the Boothbay defense stopped Camden Hills quarterback Spencer Johndro as time expired preserving an 18-16 victory on Sherman Field.

Boothbay took an early lead on a five-play, first quarter scoring drive capped by a seven-yard touchdown run by wingback Michael Hollowell. But Boothbay wouldn’t score again until the fourth quarter. Camden Hills’ offense moved the ball consistently throughout the game. The Windjammers amassed 287 rushing yards and outgained Boothbay by 93 yards in the contest. But Camden Hills didn’t score until 4:43 remained in the third quarter.

Johndro burst through the Seahawk defense on a 65-yard touchdown run for the Windjammers’ first score giving them an 8-6 lead. The lead was extended later in the quarter when running back Sam Hebert ran 44-yards with 43 seconds left.

Camden Hills’ offensive spurt resulted in Boothbay coach Ed Crocker adjusting his play-calling. Crocker shortened his play list to dives, sweeps and an occasional pass. Trailing by 10,  Boothbay scored its second touchdown on a 12-yard pass from quarterback Hunter Crocker to receiver Nicholas Morley. Now with 8:06 remaining, the Seahawks trailed 16-12. Boothbay’s last touchdown was set up by the next play. The Seahawks performed a successful onside kick.

Last week, in a loss to Dirigo, Boothbay was unsuccessful in its onside kick attempt. Like last week, Hunter Crocker hit a squid kick, and Ashley McClellan missed recovering it. This time, Crocker hit another squib, but McClellan recovered it.

Last week, Coach Crocker told McClellan he “had to get on those.” But against Camden Hills, McClellan didn’t make the same mistake. “After he recovered it, he came back and told me, ‘I got on this one, coach,’” said Coach Crocker.

But scoring the go-ahead touchdown wasn’t easy. After three plays, Boothbay failed to move the ball until Hollowell caught a fourth down 44-yard touchdown pass from  Hunter Crocker. With 4:46 left, Boothbay now led 18-16.

On the ensuing possession, Camden Hills turned the ball over on downs after failing on a fourth and two with 3:16 left. It appeared all Boothbay had to do was run the ball three times and pin the Windjammers deep on a punt. The plan worked great until a fumbled snap resulted in a fourth down and 30. Boothbay punted, and Camden Hills returned the kick to midfield with 1:19 left. Camden Hills ran eight plays, mostly quarterback keepers by Johndro, which ended on the seven yard line.

Boothbay lineman Alex Bryer is a senior captain who has played several games against Camden Hills. Boothbay defeated Camden Hills three times last season: twice in regular season, once in playoffs. Bryer expected a tough game against Camden Hills because each time the Windjammers improve. “This is a rivalry game for us,” he said. “They are a lot better than last year, but I think it came down to being focused and not letting them get into our heads. I think the difference was we are in their heads.”

Boothbay’s win results in a log jam in the Class E Heal point standings with Boothbay joining Camden Hills and Maranacook with 4-3 records. Boothbay’s victory assures the team of a playoff berth in two weeks.

The Seahawks are in fifth place with 32.5 Heal points trailing No. 4 Maranacook with 34.2 and No.3 Camden Hills with 41.8. In the season’s final week, Boothbay travels to Readfield on Oct. 19 to play Maranacook. Camden Hills hosts Class C Medomak Valley.