If those people get restless and seek another gridiron topic that seems to defy logic and the laws of probability, may we suggest certain elements of the high school rivalry between Class D South regional finalists Oak Hill and Lisbon?
They collide at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, in Wales, in a playoff game for the fourth consecutive year. That postseason collision course seems entirely too convenient, given the proximity of the schools and the presence of nine teams in the Campbell Conference.
Then there’s the matter of the Raiders owning a seven-game winning streak over the Greyhounds since 2012, the year Stacen Doucette left his post as Lisbon’s offensive coordinator to become Oak Hill’s head coach. Considering that Lisbon coach Dick Mynahan has averaged seven wins per season since taking over in 1987, it is unlikely that any other program has enjoyed an equivalent winning streak against him.
Oak Hill has enjoyed a slight edge over everyone, of course, as evidenced by its 2013 and 2014 state championships. Most of the games in the series against Lisbon have come down to a fantastic finish. And take heart, Lisbon fans: The playoff rematch is always a barnburner.
Here’s a game-by-game peek at the Raiders’ march to seventh heaven:
Oak Hill 21, Lisbon 14 (2012 regular season): This one wasn’t over until the Raiders’ secondary, camped out in the end zone, gang tackled Quincy Thompson at the 10-yard line after he caught a Hail Mary from Kyle Bourget. The other key play was a 79-yard kick return for a touchdown by Joel Wells of Oak Hill, immediately after Quincy Thompson rushed for a score to get Lisbon within seven points. Kyle Flaherty and Parker Asselin also rushed for Oak Hill touchdowns. Bourget threw a TD to Brandon Hovey. His desperation toss to Thompson covered 37 yards after he took the snap with only five seconds remaining.
Oak Hill 28, Lisbon 21 (2012 playoffs): The Raiders broke out to a 21-0 lead, only to see the Greyhounds bite back to within seven points twice in the second half. Thompson ran for a TD, and Bourget hit Hovey for another. The Raiders retaliated with a typical big game from their big three. Alex Mace rushed 23 times for 132 yards, ran for a TD and caught another from Asselin. Flaherty churned out another 93 yards on 17 carries. Asselin rushed for two scores. This quarterfinal contest was the earliest playoff meeting between the two teams in recent years. Second-seeded Oak Hill would fall victim to a semifinal upset against Dirigo.
Oak Hill 33, Lisbon 14 (2013 regular season): Another hefty halftime lead, this time 20-0, was too much for the Greyhounds to overcome. The Raiders dominated defensively, with Luke Washburn and Alex Mace combining for three sacks. Mace also forced a fumble into the hands of Washburn. Mace ran for 160 yards and three TDs, while Asselin produced two scores through the air. Flaherty added another 156 yards on the ground. Joe Philbrick scored both touchdowns for Lisbon, which was without star running back Thompson due to a dislocated elbow.
Oak Hill 21, Lisbon 20 (2013 playoffs): Thompson returned from the injured list with a 73-yard TD on Lisbon’s first series. He rushed for 153 yards and added a second score, but it was Asselin who had the last word. He completed three consecutive passes in a game-ending two-minute drill, capped by a 37-yard touchdown to Mace with 1:29 left. Adam Merrill kicked the go-ahead extra point. Lisbon had a chance to drive for the winning points before Ryan Stevens sealed the game with an interception. Philbrick’s go-ahead TD in the fourth quarter was set up by a Brandon Laurelez fumble recovery.
Oak Hill 28, Lisbon 14 (2014 regular season): Lisbon already had wrapped up home field advantage in the playoffs, but the Raiders delivered food for thought with a dominant performance in the regular-season finale. Flaherty rambled for 205 yards and three TDs, highlighted by a 68-yard score. Mace amassed 146 all-purpose yards, and Kyle Tervo caught a 34-yard TD from Dalton Therrien. Oak Hill converted two Lisbon turnovers into points in the first half.
Oak Hill 7, Lisbon 6 (2014 playoffs): Lisbon earned much of its championship reputation on the strength of goal-line stands, but it was the Raiders who delivered one via takeaway to preserve their second consecutive regional title. Kyle Tervo knocked the ball loose and younger brother Brendon recovered it inside the Oak Hill 5 in the fourth quarter as Lisbon drove for a potential winning score. Mace and Shawn Grover exchanged second-quarter touchdowns. The Greyhounds dropped the two-point conversion try in the end zone. Flaherty and Mace combined for 203 yards on the ground.
Oak Hill 27, Lisbon 18 (2015 regular season): Steven Gilbert turned the game with a 67-yard fumble return for a touchdown midway through the second quarter. Lisbon led 6-0 and was driving again when Connor Elwell knocked the ball away from Tyler Halls on an option keeper to set up Gilbert. Therrien threw two TDs to Connor Nilsson and ran for another. Lisbon employed a ball-control philosophy with Halls and fullback Noah Francis that produced 77 offensive plays to Oak Hill’s 38. Francis carried 32 times for 127 yards and a score. Halls rushed for a TD and completed another to Tyrese Joseph.
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