WELLS — Riley Dempsey and Michael Wrigley led second-seeded Wells to a 35-0 win over No. 3 Fryeburg Academy in the Class C South football semifinals on Friday night.

Dempsey was a force all night, scoring three touchdowns (two rushing and one receiving) and making an interception on defense.

“Riley is always good. I don’t know when ever Riley isn’t good,” said Wells Coach Tim Roche.

Dempsey’s receiving touchdown came with the ball on the Fryeburg Academy 34-yard line and Wells ahead 7-0 with 30 seconds left in the first half. Wrigley floated a nice ball deep down the middle of the field and Dempsey laid out to make a diving catch.

“I knew Riley would be open over the middle so I just threw it to him,” said Wrigley.

“I just put everything into it, leave it all out on the field. I wasn’t going to let anything stop me from catching it,” said Dempsey. “I knew it was a good ball from Mike so I wanted to make sure I caught it.”

Dempsey finished with 82 yards rushing on 17 carries, plus the 34-yard reception.

“The (offensive) line, they are who I thank for (this game). They opened up a lot of great holes and I was able to hit them,” said Dempsey.

Wrigley played a great game under center for the Warriors, throwing two first-half touchdown passes and finishing with 75 yards through the air.

Senior Owen Berry is the usual starting quarterback but was unable to play Friday because of shoulder tendinitis.

“Hopefully (Berry) is back next week. But Michael is capable too,” said Roche. “Either way we’ll be fine (next week).”

Wells (9-1) will take on top-seeded Cape Elizabeth in the Class C South championship next Saturday.

“We’ll take it just like every other game. We’ll watch film, get ready and prepare all week. Just go out there and play our hardest,” said Wrigley.

“It’s going to be tough next week. Cape is like us, they’re loaded with seniors and they’re a good football team,” said Roche. “It’s not going to be easy but we’re going to go up (to Cape Elizabeth) and see what we can do.”

Evan Whitten added 72 yards on 10 carries for the Warriors.

The lone score not involving Dempsey or Wrigley belonged to Jake Spofford. With Wells carrying a 21-0 advantage late in the third quarter, Spofford took a handoff in from eight yards out.

Jared Chisari led Fryeburg Academy (7-3) with 36 yards rushing.

The Wells secondary was challenged by its head coach earlier in the week and stepped up with a great game, allowing just two completions for 22 yards and intercepting a pass.

“I’m so proud of our defense. I said on Monday I heard we’re not good on pass defense. I kind of challenged them a little bit,” said Roche.

Roche decided to make pass defense a focus during practice this past week.

“We decided what we would do is go 7-on-7 a bunch. A lot, all week: before practice one day, after practice three days in a row, and even before the game tonight,” said Roche.

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