Playmakers, Falmouth’s focus is on the eve of the title

FALMOUTH – His team’s work was done, but Spencer Emerson wasn’t quite done coaching yet.

Shortly after his team’s 35-7 victory over Lawrence in last week’s Class B North title game, Falmouth’s first-year head coach bellowed at his players to stand behind the 40-yard line. He then looked carefully and made sure not a single toe was out of place before his captains stepped forward to receive their regional title plaques.

“We preach attention to detail every day in everything we do,” said Emerson. “We never know what details will change the game. Whether it’s the way your locker is set up, the way you put on your helmet or the way you get on your knees after training, there is no wasted movement or detail.”

It’s a mentality that fueled Falmouth’s first regional title game appearance. Combine that mentality with a group of playmakers and you have an undefeated team that will face Kennebunk (10-0) for the Class B title on Saturday at Fitzpatrick Stadium. The kick-off is scheduled for 2:30 PM

Falmouth (10-0) established itself early as the top team in Class B North, outscoring its league opponents 317-49 in eight games. While some teams (Cony in Week 3, Messalskee in Week 8, Lawrence last week) stuck around for a while, the Navigators always pulled away late in games.

How a player removes a helmet or jogs onto the field may seem trivial, but players say consistency pays off in games and film sessions..

“It teaches us that everything we do has to be consistent,” said Joey Guerrette, a senior wide receiver and defensive back. “You never know what you’re going to see, but you want to be prepared. We are very proud of that and I feel that it has contributed a lot to our success.”

Doing the little things right can bring success to any team, but especially a team this talented at Falmouth. The Navigators have top athletes all over the field, making them difficult to beat.

Falmouth football head coach Spencer Emerson talks to players during practice Wednesday. Derek Davis/Staff Photographer

Falmouth is loaded with speed, starting with the Guerrette brothers at receiver and in the secondary. Gio Guerrette ran the first leg for Falmouth’s 4×200 relay indoor track and field team at the Class A meet, coming just 0.05 seconds away from tying a state record. Joey, meanwhile, is quick to point out that he beat his brother by 0.01 seconds in the 55-meter dash.

These two are also lacrosse All-Americans, as is Indi Backman, a B North Player of the Year candidate at running back and linebacker. Add Robbins and Owen Ross at running back and defensive back, Luke Roy at receiver and safety and Tres Walker at quarterback, and it will be difficult to match Falmouth in personnel.

“There are so many people, especially in the reception area,” Gio Guerrette said. “We are all different in our strengths, and we can all contribute in different ways. … We know that anyone can score and anyone can tackle. We are all dangerous.”

In Week 3, Robbins’ 65-yard interception return score sealed a 21-7 victory over Cony. Falmouth led Messsalonskee 17-14 in the fourth quarter of Week 8, getting a 67-yard touchdown catch from Gio Guerrette and a long punt return from Robbins. Last week, Joey Guerrette’s 76-yard pick-six put the Navigators up 28-7 to effectively bury Lawrence in a game in which five different Falmouth players scored touchdowns.

While natural speed and athleticism cannot be taught, the Navigators still do enough to translate that speed into winning football. Over the summer, Falmouth did a lot of speed training, focusing on cuts and movements – again the little details that make good teams great teams.

“We do a lot of agility circuits and things that focus on changing direction, whether that’s kicking, running sideways, going around, round cuts, square cuts or bent knees,” Emerson said. “We put a lot of emphasis on functional movement, and our kids have really capitalized on that and showed that on the field.”

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