On Friday night the Kennebunk Football Team, along with their cheerleaders, pep-band, and a sea of enthusiastic fans gathered at the Harold Alfond Sports Stadium in Orono to play their final game of the season. Unfortunately, the night ended in a 28-6 loss to Brunswick and the Rams returned home with empty hands. Following such a successful season this loss is hard for everyone to take, but in the end there is still so much to be proud of. If there’s anything to be learned from this adventure it’s that sometimes the outcome is less important than the experience.

Both teams were undefeated and evenly matched heading into the State final, so it was anyone’s game. Senior Wingback Justin Wiggins believes that Brunswick’s preparation gave them the upper leg. “They came at us with a good game plan, they definitely watched film of games that we wished they didn’t,” said Wiggins, “They saw that pressure gets to us, so they brought as many bodies as they could on defense.” Andrew Bouchard believes that “they had a good group of experienced seniors with speed and when you mix that with poor execution offensively and bad field position and you’re in for a tough night.” Fullback Patrick Saunders also mentioned that this was Brunswick’s third year in a row playing in the State final, so “they were more determined than ever to go home with the gold ball.”

The impact the community has on this team throughout the season is often overlooked and sometimes underestimated. As a fan in the stands that night there was a strong sense of unity and pride for our team no matter what the outcome was. There’s also no denying that the bond created by this year’s team influenced the community’s involvement throughout the season. Bouchard said that “This year was special. I’ve been on some good teams with some great guys, but this year’s group was special. The way they fight and the way they rally behind one another.” Saunders believes that “whether or not we were successful they [the community] would have had our backs.” Justin Wiggins added “The community’s what it’s all about honestly, that’s what football does. None of those games would have been as good as they were if it hadn’t been for the community supporting us.” It’s not everyday that you find something able to bring individuals of all different ages and backgrounds together. Here in Kennebunk, we seem to have found it.

In the end it’s clear that this isn’t about the loss, the Rams had a successful season and just because it didn’t end the way we all hoped it would doesn’t mean we can’t still hold our heads high. Overall this season has marked one of Kennebunks best in recent years. Not just because of their record and impressive winning streak, but because of how they were able to bring an entire community together for one reason. This season is one for the books and the entire town is better because of it.