The 2016 fall sports season was one full of firsts for Boothbay Region High School. The soccer and field hockey teams registered their first ever playoff wins. The football team capped off its first season as a club sport with its first winning record in several seasons. And the boys’ cross country team finished first in the Mountain Valley Conference and Southern Maine Class C regional championship meets.

Those accomplishments were recognized Nov. 15 during the BRHS Fall Sports Banquet held in the school gymnasium. Each of the five teams presented members with Most Improved, Most Valuable Player and Coach’s awards.

The football team played five of its six games against club teams. The Seahawks capped the season with a 28-6 win over Maranacook Community School which competed in Class D South. The team’s 30-player roster was dominated with 11 seniors who made a significant contribution to the team’s 5-1 record. Coach Bryan Dionne presented team awards to Nick Simpson and Cam Crocker as co-Most Improved Players, Carter Babcock, MVP, and Duncan Drapeau, Coach’s Award.

Simpson was the team’s starting tight end even though he began the season on the bottom of the depth chart. He worked his way into the starting lineup and eventually became the Seahawks’ leading pass catcher.

“Nick did everything he could to prepare himself for the season. His hard work paid off and I’m so proud of what he accomplished,” Dionne said.

For Crocker, the new season saw the former junior varsity quarterback playing a new offensive position. Crocker was the team’s center this season and played several defensive positions. He was the team’s second leading tackler.

“It was a big change for him, but he adapted well because he’s a hard worker and has a great attitude,” Dionne said.

The coach described senior Carter Babcock as an “unbelievable hustler and competitor.” On defense, Babcock led the team in tackles, and on offense, he had a 12.85-yard rushing average per carry.

“He is a true leader on and off the field,” Dionne said.

The soccer team made the playoffs for the second consecutive season under Coach Ben Powell. And the Lady Seahawks won their first ever playoff victory over Mount Abram. Boothbay captured the 10th and final Class D South playoff spot in the last regular season game. Boothbay beat Lisbon, 4-0.  Powell described the team’s five wins and 11 loses as being on “an emotional roller coaster.”

The team’s roster was full of players who showed great improvement throughout the season, according to Powell, making the selection of the team’s Most Improved Player difficult. The honor went to Olivia Paolillo who scored in the team’s playoff win.

“She took her game to the next level,” Powell said. “We talked about being more assertive and that’s exactly what she did in scoring the playoff goal.”

The team’s MVP award went to the Seahawk known as “The Grinder.” Regan Cola received the honor.

“She is a hard worker with a fantastic attitude and a player to watch for the next two seasons,” he said.

Powell selected a player known for her long range goals which earned her the nickname “Rip City” for the Coach’s Award. Senior Angie Perkins received the honor.

“She is the most coachable player I’ve ever had. Angie is constantly looking for ways to improve,” Powell said.

The 2016 Seahawk field hockey season was the best in the team’s 40-year history, according to Athletic Director Allan Crocker. Boothbay won eight games and finished fifth in Class C North. The Seahawks earned a tournament berth and upset No. 4 Central in Corinth. The team also set the team scoring record with 53 goals and was the only MVC team to score in every contest. The team’s MVP selection went to junior Sydney Meader, who led the conference in goals.

Meader was at her best during the most important moment of the season, according to Coach Donna Jordan. Central had tied the playoff game with less than five minutes remaining. Boothbay took a time-out following the goal. Meader stepped inside the huddled circle of players and said, “This isn’t our last game.”

A minute later, she scored the game-winning goal.

The team’s Most Improved Player Award went to Hali Goodwin, who demonstrated her versatility this season playing on the front line, as a midfielder, deep defender and as goaltender. Page Brown received the Coach’s Award. Jordan described her as “a player who works hard, digs deep and is involved in the play no matter where the ball is.”

The most successful fall sports’ teams were the boys’ and girls’ cross country teams. The boys won the conference championship for the fourth straight year. The team finished third at the Class C regional meet and fourth at the state championship. The team also won the Good Sportsmanship Award for the fourth consecutive year.

Coach Nick Scott name Kyle Ames as the Most Valuable Runner. “He is a runner who gets it. He runs with tenacity and you see his grit and determination when he runs,” Scott said.

The Coach’s Award went to Blake Erhard, who Scott described as a runner who this season “morphed into a driven, disciplined athlete.” The Most Improved Runner was Sam Betts, who posted several sub-20-minute times during competitions this season.

The girls’ cross country team finished second in the MVC. This was the fourth time in five years the girls finished in the top two spots. The team’s Most Valuable Runner was Faith Blethen, who won the conference and regional individual championships for the second straight year.

“She battled injury and could’ve easily finished third at the regionals. But she turned in a gutsy performance by out-sprinting two other competitors to the finish line,” Scott said.

The Most Improved Runner was Delly Clarkson, who shaved eight minutes off her best time. The Coach’s Award went to Kate Friant. ”She finished her career with her best season. I was impressed with her determination and with her leadership this season,” he said.

The guest speaker was 1991 graduate Sarah Morley. She won state team and individual championships as a member of the track team. She reminded the current student-athletes to realize how lucky they are being student-athletes in such a supportive community environment.