Jul. 18—DOVER-FOXCROFT — It was all so sudden for Reegan Buck.
He and his Portland High football teammates were having a great season, headed toward 5-0 in the competitive Class A North division. Buck, a two-way starter who played slot, running back and quarterback on offense and safety on defense, was in the thick of everything.
Then came a routine jet sweep in the third quarter of the fifth game. With Windham tacklers wrapping up his arms, Buck couldn’t brace his fall, and all the weight of collective bodies went to his shoulder. His collarbone broke in three places.
“I didn’t think I’d ever play football again,” Buck said. “I had already committed to play baseball in college (at the University of Southern Maine). I knew football was going to come to an end, but I didn’t expect it to come to an end so abruptly. I just didn’t think I’d ever get the chance to play again.
“And then I got selected for the Lobster Bowl.”
Even better, Buck’s Portland teammate, Hunter Temple, is also on the East squad that will take the field at 4 p.m. Saturday for the 34th Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic all-star football game at Lewiston High. Temple took on many of Buck’s offensive roles to finish the season.
The Lobster Bowl teams are at Foxcroft Academy for training camp in preparation for the charity game. Buck and Temple said Tuesday they expect to be starting on defense for the East. The 5-foot-9, 165-pound Buck will be at safety, while the 5-8, 160-pound Temple will play cornerback like he did at Portland.
Prior to his injury, Buck was one of the top players in the state. In a season-opening win at Thornton Academy, he scored three touchdowns, including the winner with 48 seconds to play on a 31-yard over-the-shoulder reception while tight-roping the sideline. He entered the Windham game with six touchdowns through three games….
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/lobster-bowl-portland-teammates-eager-225800352.html
Author : Portland Press Herald, Maine
Publish date : 2024-07-18 22:58:00
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