DIXFIELD — Dirigo got rolling and was dominant on both sides of the ball and Friday night in a 36-14 Class D South football homecoming win over Old Orchard Beach.
Quarterback Riley Robinson threw for three touchdowns, to three different receivers — Vincent Hebert, Gavin Arsenault and Luke Lueders — in the convincing victory at Harlow Park.
The team usually have heated battles, including last year when the Cougars’ defense held with a goal-line stand for a 28-24 triumph. This time was a completely different story.
Dirigo (3-2) scored 20 unanswered points in the second quarter, beginning with Hebert snaring a catch over the middle for a 36-yard TD. Gus Brown caught the conversion, and the Cougars refused to let up.
“We felt good and was able to take it to tham,” Hebert said. “They were playing with the safety up, and that allowed us to get behind them over the middle.”
OOB (2-3) was pinned in near the end zone and was unable to gain any yardage. A sack by Bennett Dorion and a rush led to Bryce Whittemore recording a safety.
The Cougars’ first four possessions started in OOB territory, and the superb field position led to efficient drives.
OOB ‘s free kick gave Dirigo the ball on the 32, and three plays later, Robinson passed to Arsenault for a 17-yard TD.
“Our coaches come up with an excellent game plan,” Robinson, who completed 6 of 8 passes for 124 yards, said. “Their zone coverage was soft, so we were able to take advantage of it. Plus, we used our runners to loosen them up, Mike Casey with finesse and Vincent for power.”
OOB QBs Dylan Creswell and Dylan Boudreau combined for 9 of 12 passing for 70 yards. The Seagulls drove 51 yards, with Creswell diving over for a 1-yard TD in the first quarter.
Robinson intercepted a floater and then passed to Lueders for a 17-yard TD for a 30-6 lead at halftime.
“They used a 6-2 and a 4-3 defensively, and we were able to run off-tackle,” Dirigo coach Jim Hersom said. “Our jet series worked, and we used Riley (90 yards on 15 rushes) on the option, and that allowed us to spread the field. The kids came out and did a good job tonight.”
Hersom lauded the offensive line: tackles Quentin Penley and Issac White, guards Bennett Dorion and Whittemore, and center Dalton Berry.
“It’s a quiet group that is hard to get a read on at times, but they get the job done,” he said.
The Dirigo defense, led by linebackers, Barry Campbell, Cam Turner and Whittemore, held Old Orchard Beach to 78 yards on the ground.
The Seagulls hadn’t been scored on in over two games, but Dirigo broke the mold on its initial possession, with Robinson scoring on a 4-yard run.
OOB was stymied through out the game until Boudreau threw a 17-yard TD to Joe Anderson in the waning moments of the fourth quarter.
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