LISBON — Somehow, the Lisbon Greyhounds found a way.

Just finding a way seems to be a theme for them during their playoff run. Take away their starting quarterback, no problem. Take away their top tailback, not a problem.

In Saturday’s Western Maine Class C semifinal, they plugged players into their system to replace the missing components and edged out the Winthrop Ramblers in a 24-16 overtime victory.

Sophomore quarterback Ryan Riordan stepped into the fray to throw a pair of touchdowns, including the eventual game-winner in overtime. After two runs by freshman running back Jordan Torres netted zero yards, Riordan rolled right and hit junior wideout Cameron Graf along the sideline. Graf slipped free of linebacker Travis Hutchins and ran into the end zone to put the Greyhounds (9-1) up by six.

For the two-point conversion, Lisbon lined up three receivers to the right and Riordan hit Josh Pomerleau in the corner of the end zone.

The Ramblers (7-3) had erased a 16-0 halftime deficit, but couldn’t come back in the extra session. On first down, halfback Ryan Conant (20 carries for a game-high 54 yards) was stuffed for a 3-yard loss by Mike McNamara and Matt Nicholson. Two incomplete pass attempts from quarterback Travis Luce to Colby Laflamme followed before Winthrop called a timeout with its season on the line.

On fourth down, Luce had his pass intended for tight end Hunter Sherman at the Lisbon 3 batted down by linebacker Zack Splude.

“We were just playing man-to-man,” said Splude. “I was covering (Sherman). The quarterback’s eyes were on him the whole time. I came up and made the play.”

The Greyhounds jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the first quarter when Splude broke through the line of scrimmage to block Cam Armstrong’s punt from the Winthrop 15. Splude then picked up the ball at the 5-yard line and waltzed into the end zone.

“We planned that all week,” said Splude. “We worked on the defensive end to take it to the inside and for me to block the punt. That was my very first block. I just scooped it up and saw the end zone. I had to get in.”

Lisbon increased its lead to 16-0 late in the half. Starting from his own 14, Riordan orchestrated a 14-play, 86-yard scoring drive. Twice he induced defensive tackle Zack Barter to jump offsides on a hard count. He also hit Graf for a diving 9-yard reception and was helped by a Splude 24-yard run.

From the Rambler 14, the sophomore lofted a pass over the outstretched hands of defensive back Mike Geschwind and into the lap of a backpedaling Brandon Hovey in the corner of the end zone.

Riordan was intercepted twice and completed just 4-of-11 passes for 72 yards, but when he needed to make a play, he did it. Starting tailback Tobey Harrington attempted to play with a previously injured ankle, but after his first two carries he limped off the field and was not seen again. This put added pressure on the young quarterback

“I think he had a great game,” said Lisbon coach Dick Mynahan. “We had him sharing the hand-offs in practice the past three weeks and expected to come out and play well. Not bad for the first time out.”

On the Greyhounds’ scoring drive, the Ramblers were dealt a tough blow when halfback/safety Derek Pamphrey injured his left knee and was lost for the remainder of the game.

With Pamphrey gone, Winthrop coach Joel Stoneton let Conant carry the load from the I-formation.

“It took some sets away from us,” said Stoneton of the injury. “But we lined up and went at them.”

Winthrop strung together three first downs before having to punt the ball away on its first possession. On its second, Luce hit Sherman on a fourth down screen pass for 19 yards to set up a Conant 5-yard score.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Ramblers took advantage of a Travis Sherman fumble recovery to set up the tying score. Luce hit Conant for a 50-yard gain down the right side and four plays later, the senior quarterback found Laflamme for a 10-yard scoring strike.

“I can’t give the kids enough credit,” said Stoneton. “They never gave up and played very well.”

The Ramblers had a chance to take the lead late in the fourth quarter after a Conant interception at the Lisbon 35, but two incompletions preceded a diving interception by Splude.

“There were a lot of momentum shifts in the game,” summed up Splude. “We just found a way to win.”

dst.hilaire@sunjournal.com

Copy the Story Link