BIDDEFORD – Quarterback Nick Leblond led Biddeford to its first football victory in nearly two years Friday night.

Leblond completed 16 of 22 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Tigers to a 23-7 win against South Portland at Waterhouse Field, snapping a 10-game losing streak dating to October 2010.

“Through a tough stretch we had character-wise kids (who) just understood what the big picture was all about,” Biddeford Coach Scott Descoteaux said. “We were young a year ago, and the thing about those kids is they never quit. They worked hard every single week.”

Biddeford use a no-huddle offense during its first possession and struck quickly.

“We’ve got some playmakers on this team,” Leblond said. “We’ve got some athletes and kids who know how to play football. They listen to the coaches, and we practice like we play. I think we’ve definitely moved in the right direction. We’ve gotten better since Week 1 and the preseason.”

The Tigers took a 7-0 lead less than three minutes into the game when Patrick Wilson swept left 5 yards for a touchdown that capped an 11-play, 63-yard drive. Leblond completed 4 of 5 passes for 34 yards.

“We understand we’re not as big as some of the other teams in the league, and we try to highlight some parts of the game we can gain some advantages on,” Descoteaux said.

“I think we’re in very good shape. We’ve got some athletes who we think can run.”

Key plays by the Biddeford secondary helped keep the Red Riots off the scoreboard in the first half. Cornerbacks Corey Collard and Joseph Munsey and safety Cody Greeger each broke up passes in the end zone or at the goal line during the first 24 minutes.

“A week ago, we (gave up) three big plays in the pass game that were scores, and we worked hard this week to button that up,” Descoteaux said. “We certainly made some improvements.”

The Tigers took advantage of a big break to stretch their lead to 14-0 less than three minutes into the second half. South Portland was set to receive the ball to open the third quarter, but Biddeford recovered the short kickoff at the South Portland 48.

“That was actually a kick that we were supposed to just keep on the ground, and we got a break on that,” Descoteaux said. “I tell you, in two years I don’t think we had breaks like we had tonight.”

Six plays after the kickoff, Leblond threw a 22-yard scoring pass to Matt Cote.

Quarterback Thomas Leddy sneaked in from the 2 to cap a 20-play, 62-yard drive as the Riots (0-2) scored with 19 seconds left in the third quarter.

But the Tigers responded with a 10-play, 69-yard drive, with Leblond throwing to tight end Connor Morrison to make it 20-7 with 8:49 left.

Morrison kicked a 36-yard field goal with 1:38 remaining.

Staff Writer Paul Betit can be contacted at 791-6424 or at:

pbetit@pressherald.com

Twitter: PaulBetitPPH