Don Sawyer, a former player of the Bangor Rams, still carries the memory of the 1971 state championship game like a badge of honor, recalling how the team functioned as a single, tightly‑knit unit.
A Championship Memory
The 1971 Rams secured a 7‑2 victory over Westbrook, a win that was originally scheduled for a later time to accommodate the Sawyer brothers’ family commitments. Don pitched the game while his brother Steve caught, and the rescheduled kickoff at 4 p.m. allowed them to attend Tom Sawyer’s wedding before taking the field.
Since that first title, the Rams have added 13 more championships, a testament to a tradition of excellence that still resonates in the program.
The Present‑Day Pursuit
Today the current squad is perched atop Class A North with an 11‑2 record, eyes fixed on another championship run. Their remaining schedule includes matchups against Hampden Academy, Camden Hills and Brewer, each game a stepping stone toward that goal.
Don Sawyer, now a regular presence at Mansfield Stadium, continues to cheer on the team, sharing stories of the past with younger fans and reminding everyone of the unity that defined the 1971 squad.