Portland High scored 35 unanswered points in the second half Friday night to come back and beat Deering 42-14 at Fitzpatrick Stadium.
Joe Esposito ran back two interceptions for touchdowns for the Bulldogs (1-1). Portland’s defense stiffened after Deering (0-2) took a 14-7 halftime lead.
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“The first half, we were aggravated. We weren’t playing together,” Esposito said.
The Bulldogs, who didn’t manage a touchdown last week in a loss at Cheverus, scored in the first half on Esposito’s 80-yard return on an interception. Portland was intercepted twice and lost a fumble in the half.
“The turnovers. The field position. The kids were trying to do too much,” Portland Coach Jim Hartman said. “We have to calm down and play as a team.”
The Bulldogs did that in the second half. They switched quarterbacks, bringing in sophomore Nicholas Archambault, and began to pound the football.
“We tried to open some gaps,” said Esposito, who gained 84 yards on 12 carries.
The Bulldogs tied it on the first drive of the second half, capped by a 41-yard run by George Chaison-Lapine.
Esposito gave Portland the lead for good when he made another interception, at midfield, and raced in for a 21-14 lead.
“It was the defense we called. I was in the right place,” Esposito said. “I tried not to be seen, then just came across. I just timed it.”
The Rams managed little offense in the second half after Max Chabot threw for 112 yards in the first.
“We had a great first half. We dominated,” Deering Coach Matt Riddell said. “We came out for the second half and kind of laid an egg. Injuries began to mount up and the kids coming in just weren’t ready.”
Among the players the Rams lost was running back Jean Claude Nzeza, who left by ambulance. Riddell didn’t know Nzeza’s condition after the game.
Portland kept piling on points, including touchdown runs of 4 and 20 yards by Alex Oja. The Bulldogs totaled 277 rushing yards, 173 in the second half.
Deering got the jump on the opening kickoff. Rams receiver Ben Williams, who missed last week’s opener, gave Deering great field position, returning the kick 58 yards to the Portland 27.
Deering drove in on six plays, including a third-and-16 pass from Chabot to Patrick Viola. Chabot sneaked in from the 1 and Jacob Coon kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead with 9:48 left in the first quarter.
The Rams were driving in again when Esposito stepped in front of a Chabot pass and sprinted 80 yards for the score. John Williams’ kick made it 7-7 with 2:55 left in the first quarter.
Portland got a second interception, by Oja. He returned it 30 yards to the Deering 19. Portland got down to the 7 but the Rams held. The Bulldogs missed a 25-yard field-goal try.
Setting up at their 20, the Rams drove quickly, highlighted by Chabot passes of 13 and 24 (Coon) and 25 yards (Williams). Chabot sneaked in again for a 14-7 lead with seven minutes left in the half.
Kevin Thomas can be reached at 791-6411 or at:
kthomas@pressherald.com
Twitter: KevinThomasPPH
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