AUBURN — Edward Little went into the locker room at halftime with momentum after tying the game with an exciting two point conversion with 11 seconds remaining in the half. One quarter later, Portland had scored 26 unanswered points, running away with a 40-16 victory at Walton field.
Portland opened the scoring after an EL punt, needing only three plays to go the distance, capped by a 43-yard run by Nick Archambault. The Red Eddies responded with a 75-yard drive that was kept alive on a 32 yard gain on a 4th and 16 direct snap to Max Bell before being forced out at the two yard line. Caden Begos powered in for the score. Begos finish with 82 yards.
Portland’s Issiah Bachelder led the Bulldogs down the field for their second score of the half connecting on a pair of passes before taking the ball the end zone for a 14-6 lead.
With 3:57 left in the half, senior linebacker Noah Yarnevich intercepted a Bachelder pass on the EL 34-yard line. EL ran the ball behind quarterback Grant Hartley’s and Begos, including a first down run on fourth down. Hartley connected with Tyler Blanchard for a quick score with 10 seconds left in the half. Afrer missing several tackles, Hartley scrambled to hit Blanchard for the game tying two point conversion.
“If I saw the linebackers back, I used my strength to run the ball,” Hartley said.
Hartley finished with 32 yards rushing.
“Grant has power legs, we’ve told him to run if he sees an opportunity,” EL coach Dave Sterling said.
The third quarter started promising for the Red Eddies, keeping the Bulldogs in check. Bachelder found Archambault for a 24-yard strike on third down keeping the drive alive. Three plays later, Archambault juggled a 30 yard pass from Bachelder before catching it and scampering down the middle of the field for a 54-yard touchdown. The senior quarterback finish 10-of-12 for 169 yards in the air while adding 51 yards on the ground.
“We really needed this tonight. Kids needed some breaks this week,” Portland coach Jim Hartman said. “They’re a prideful bunch, I told them to calm down and relax at halftime,” he added.
EL was unable to get a first down, leading to Portland blocking an EL punt deep in their territory. Archambault scored from six yards out on the next play. Another three and out by EL and a scoring drive by Portland, EL found themselves down 33-14. On the next drive, Hartley was intercepted by Dylan Bolduc, who returned it for a 31-yard touchdown.
“To do three things like that, big play, blocked punt, and a pick six, it makes a hard game for yourself,” Sterling said. “We’re looking forward to Oxford Hills next week.”
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