ROCKPORT — The Camden Hills eight-man football team opened the 2021 campaign with a preseason scrimmage Saturday, Aug. 28 on the road against Dexter, and is eager for the regular season to begin Saturday on its home turf in Rockport. 

In its preseason scrimmage, the visiting Windjammers posted a 34-12 victory thanks to an opportunistic defense and offensive combination of smash mouth football to go along with a reliable aerial attack. A 12-0 lead vanished into a halftime tie of 12-12 that held up until the 4th quarter when the Jammers exploded for 22 points.

The Windjammers will kick off the regular season Sept. 4 at home against Orono in a 1 p.m. contest. 

Chris Christie will guide the Windjammers as head coach for the second year, and will be joined on the sidelines by assistants Joe Russillo (offense), Tim Doran (defense), Daniel Davis (linemen) and Landen Donato-Stearns (co-captain of the 2020 Windjammers). 

Co-captains for this year include Hunter Norton (running back/linebacker), Ryan Clifford (quarterback), Enzo Russillo (tight end/defensive line), Mason Chadwick (cornerback/running back) and Joshua 'JJ' Harrington (lineman).

The team has a solid combination of size and speed that should serve well in the adjustment to the MPA eight-man large school division, a newer level of high school football in Maine introduced due to dwindling participation numbers at programs statewide.

In 2019 there were 10 schools participating in eight-man football. That number has grown to 25 for this season. 

Admission through the gate is $5 per individual and $15 for a family of three or more. Concessions will be open with most food being pre-prepared.

Following the regular season opener Sept. 4, the Windjammers will also have home games Sept. 18 against Houlton at 1 p.m., Sept. 25 against Waterville at 2 p.m. and Oct. 8 against Morse at 7 p.m. in a homecoming showdown. 

Camden Hills hits the road for games Sept. 10 against Ellsworth at 7 p.m., Oct. 1 against Mount Desert Island at 7 p.m. and Oct. 16 against Mount View at 1 p.m.

Carl Chadwick contributed to this article.