FREEPORT — It was too soon to think of what just happened. Kyle Moore and Calvin Burgess ran off the football field with their Freeport High teammates and into the embrace of family and fans. The cheering had petered out but not the excitement.

Freeport won a varsity football game for the first time in the school's history Saturday. That it came in its first home game in its first varsity season added to the significance. First impressions before the home folk always mean more.

"It's a little overwhelming," said Moore. Burgess had to agree. They signed on as young middle-school players serving six-year apprenticeships, praying this day would come, but not knowing when. Freeport opened its inaugural season in Class C on the road in Dixfield last weekend. Dirigo High won that game, 74-6.

Coach Rob Grover told them all to hit the erase button as the team readied for Sacopee Valley, a fellow first-year team. New practice week, new start.

Everything seemed new. The field at the Pownal Recreation Area had been reseeded and lush grass replaced last year's brown scrub. A new three-level concession stand and scouting tower went up almost overnight. Makeshift goal posts gave way to the real thing.

The quarterback was new. Freshman James Purdy was thrust into the role after sophomore starter Jared Knighton rolled his ankle days earlier.

"We had some doubts about him," said Burgess. "That he might be intimidated, being a freshman starting his first game. He showed he can play."

Saturday was a day of show and tell for both teams. Freeport struggled to contain Sacopee Valley's rushing backs in the first half, particularly the power running of 230-pound Ken Corvin. Sacopee Valley had no answer for the speed of Miguel Beckles, a transfer from South Orange, N.J., who hadn't played high school football before.

By the fourth quarter, Freeport added to its lead and gained confidence. When the end came, it simply ran out the clock for the 24-6 victory.

"If this program were to go away – and it won't – it would still be a success story," said Dan Kagan, one of the so-called founding fathers of Freeport football. His son, Max, wanted to try football about seven years ago. "I told him, only if he got a friend to play so we could carpool (to a youth program in Brunswick.)

"My motivation was never to make Freeport into a football town," said Kagan, a lawyer. "It was about giving kids an opportunity to play. The kids are voting with their feet now."

Kagan attended Bangor High and was one of a group of students who petitioned the school board to add soccer. It did.

Kagan's son played exactly one game on Freeport's junior varsity. He fractured his femur on the first pass he caught from his good friend, John Klages, who had accompanied him to the Brunswick youth league years before. And never played football again.

Saturday, Dan Kagan couldn't sit in the bleachers, preferring to walk the sidelines, shouting encouragement. He stepped away as president of the Freeport Gridiron Club three years ago, turning leadership over to Matt Wogan and others.

"We've grown from six people with a dream to this," said Wogan. Football is played at three levels in Freeport schools. More players, in Kagan's words, are voting with their feet.

Saturday's home opener had been planned for months, if not years. Jane Purdy, a member of the Freeport Gridiron Club – and James' mother – darted from the small parking area to the concession stand to the field. On a clipboard were plans for parking, which included a shuttle service from a lot a mile away, a script for the announcer and a few other scenarios. She was in charge of the 50-50 drawing and had a camera around her neck for action shots.

Pedro O'Hara's, a local eatery, noted the start of Freeport football on its sign. The Freeport Flag Ladies came. Three walked to the middle of the field...