What a great season to be a Winslow Black Raider! A couple of weeks ago, the Black Raider field hockey team won the state championship and, just this past Friday night, the Winslow boys won the state championship for football! The BlackRaiders absolutely annihilated the Leavitt Hornets.....they were up 49-0 halfway through the second quarter, for example. The final score was something like 66-14 or something....

Below, is senior Dylan Hapworth, perhaps the best running back in the state. He rushed for 263 yards and 6 touchdowns on Friday; in addition, he kicked all their extra points. Dylan is just one of the most humble, selfless kids you will meat--I have him in study hall this year,and I barely notice he is there he is so quiet and unassuming. Yet, on the field, he is a monster. Dylan enjoys working with kids who have special needs, and, during his live interview on channel 5 after the game, he gave shout outs to some of these kids; it was very heartwarming. Just a wonderful kid.....and he isnt even going to play football in college (baseball pitching is his main sport...haha)

A very cold mid November Friday night #globalwarming but a ton of the Winslow faithful stormed the field after the game. As for myself, I enjoyed the game with some great friends and colleagues at social studies teacher "Wick's" house. Each year, as you may know if you read this blog often, Wick has a tailgate party on 'rivalry Saturday' (which was yesterday) and we eat and watch games. However, he hosted it this year on FRIDAY so we could watch the Raiders....I ate a LOT of Kentucky Fried Chicken....

The sports photographers captured some special moments. Below are current senior Evan Gammon and recent alumni Troy Ellis. Troy (as a senior) and Evan (as a jr) played in LAST YEAR's state championship game....also against Leavitt....but, last year, Leavitt absolutely creamed Winslow. This year was better.....

Just pure emotion from some of these kids; they have worked their tails off for this gold ball. As a former h.s. football player, I can attest to how long, hot, cold, and dark the season is--from double sessions in the August humidity to freezing cold November afternoons, in the dark, after daylight savings time ends....these guys are a very special team. And Evan, below, holding the gold ball, is quite a special young man....

Goldsmith Trivia Fact....I was also number 58.....

Don't believe what the government/media/people-who-havent-been-in-a-school-for-years say about public schools......amazing things go on there each and every day--some are seen by thousands, and some are seen by sole individuals. And I am blessed to teach at one of the best high schools in Maine.