Class B: Marshwood blanks Brunswick to defend title

Samuel Hammond of Marshwood tackles Cameron Cornett of Brunswick in the second quarter of the Class B state championship game at Fitzpatrick Stadium on Saturday night.

PORTLAND — Led by the on-target passing of Tommy Springer and its swarming defense, Marshwood High retained its Class B football championship in convincing fashion Saturday night, beating Brunswick 49-0 at Fitzpatrick Stadium.

Springer completed his first six passes and finished 9 of 12 for 167 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.

He did most of his damage in the first half, connecting with five receivers – six if you count a 2-point conversion pass to Connor Nickerson.

Springer’s touchdown throws were 22 yards to Cullen Casey on a middle screen and a 46-yarder to John Valentine. He scored himself on a 7-yard run as the Hawks built a 29-0 halftime lead.

Marshwood’s defense was equally strong, limiting Brunswick to 44 yards in the first half and forcing three turnovers.

Marshwood (11-1) won its second straight Class B title, fourth in five years and the 20th in school history.

Last season Marshwood beat Skowhegan 63-20 in the championship game. The other titles during this run came against Brunswick in 2014 and 2015.

The Dragons (8-4) also were playing in their fourth championship game in five years, winning in 2016 against Kennebunk.

After slugging its way past previously unbeaten Kennebunk 14-13 to win the South title, Marshwood entered the championship game as a solid favorite and acted accordingly, winning the coin flip and asking for the ball.

Despite twice being penalized 10 yards, the Hawks moved quickly to their first score. Springer spread his first four passes to four receivers, including a 19-yard strike to Trevor Chase to overcome the first penalty and a deep 40-yarder dropped into Valentine on third-and-12, which set up Nickerson’s 4-yard score.

Marshwood then faked the extra-point kick. Springer rolled right and completed the pass to Nickerson for an 8-0 lead 3:16 into the game.

A senior, Nickerson subbed in for injured fullback Justin Bryant, who appeared to injure his ankle on his first carry.

Nickerson had seven carries for 46 yards.

Casey’s touchdown catch, set up by a Valentine fumble recovery, and a Jake Lindsay kick made it 15-0 in the first quarter.

In the second, Valentine was again a target on third-and-long, scoring on a 46-yard pass, and Springer scored on a 7-yard run.

Chase sent the game to running time with a 51-yard scoring run on an inside trap on Marshwood’s first possession of the second half, increasing the lead to 36-0 with Lindsay’s kick.

Then he put it completely away with a 72-yard burst early in the fourth quarter to stretch the lead to 43-0.

Chase rushed for 175 yards on nine carries.