WATERBORO – Gorham High scored 63 points Friday night and still won by only two touchdowns.
The Rams outlasted Massabesic, beating the Mustangs 63-47 in the rain on a muddy Ronco Field.
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Of the 16 touchdowns, 10 were from at least 47 yards. Three players ran for more than 200 yards; two others rushed for more than 100.
Matt McKenney of Gorham scored on the first play from scrimmage on a 75-yard run.
On Massabesic’s first play, quarterback Jake Desrochers broke free for a 95-yard touchdown run.
The game was 34 seconds old and the score was 8-8.
“There was not a lot of defense,” Massabesic Coach John Morin said. “That was evident in the first half-minute. Usually when you score 47 points …”
The Rams (4-3) moved closer to a Western Class A playoff berth. Massabesic (4-3) still has postseason hopes.
Gorham trailed 22-14 after the first quarter, then took over with three scores in the second. But the Rams couldn’t put away the Mustangs.
“They never gave up and I never felt comfortable,” Rams Coach Dave Kilborn said.
But Kilborn could take comfort in his offense. The Rams never punted. They never turned the ball over on downs. They did lose three fumbles, but otherwise scored every time they had the ball.
Using their double-wing offense, the Rams rushed 46 times for 607 yards.
Brad Turnbaugh (13 carries, 248 yards, three touchdowns) and McKenney (15 carries, 224 yards, three touchdowns) paced Gorham. Nick Kilborn powered his way for 123 yards and three touchdowns.
“Their kids believe in their offense and they execute it,” Morin said. “But I thought we also executed well.”
Massabesic’s 150-pound fullback, Sam Chaves, put in another gutsy performance, rushing 24 times for 275 yards and four touchdowns. Desrochers gained 127 yards and scored twice. Casey Nava ran back a kickoff 80 yards for a score.
With the drenched field, defenders had a tough time reacting. Once a runner hit open field, it usually meant a score.
“It was a little slick,” said Turnbaugh, his face smeared with mud.
“It was hard to get your footing out there. Just followed the blocks.”
After Massabesic took the first-quarter lead, Gorham put together the only time-consuming drive of the night, going 65 yards in 13 plays. Turnbaugh’s 1-yard burst and McKenney’s conversion run made it 22-22.
Massabesic went three plays and out on its next two possessions.
Gorham scored on both of its next two possessions – Turnbaugh’s 93-yard run and McKenney’s 28-yard run – for a 36-22 halftime lead.
The Mustangs never got closer than two touchdowns.
Gorham, which has won three of its last four games, will be home next week against Scarborough, and will be in the playoffs with a victory.
The Mustangs have lost three of their last four games but will travel to Sanford next week with a postseason berth on their minds.
“We still have our destiny in our hands,” Morin said.
Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at: kthomas@pressherald.com
Twitter: ClearTheBases
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