Ram “D” pride. The phrase has been a rallying cry for Gorham’s defense, a unit that has plenty to be proud of after leading the Rams to a 9-7 victory over Deering at home in the Western Maine Class A final on Saturday.

With the win, Gorham will face Lawrence in the Class A State championship game at Fitzpatrick Stadium this Saturday. Lawrence (10-0) defeated Bangor, 19-5, to win the Eastern Maine Class A title and advance to the state final.

Gorham’s defense didn’t allow a touchdown in the regional until Deering’s John Chaisson caught a 7-yard pass from quarterback Nick Dunn with 16 seconds left in the game. The score ended a shutout streak for Gorham’s defense that stretched over seven quarters – some 95-plus minutes.

“(The defense) wanted that goose egg because every time we do we get doughnuts,” said quarterback Mark Clements.

Gorham (10-1) had shut out Marshwood in the semifinals one week earlier.

“(Assistant Bob Zinchuck) has been emphasizing Ram “D” pride all year,” Clements said. “We haven’t been known as a defensive team. We wanted to step it up on defense and capitalize on that little saying; I think we did that.

“Our defense has been huge in the playoffs.”

That defense helped Gorham seize the momentum early in the game. Deering took the opening kickoff and marched down the field, picking up three first downs on eight plays while moving the ball to Gorham’s 39-yard line.

Play No. 9 of the drive didn’t end so well. Dunn dropped back to pass and threw to Chaisson, but Gorham defensive back Ryan McMullen picked it off.

Gorham’s defense came up big again in the second quarter. Led by tailback Brian Sandora, Deering drove to the Rams’ 15-yard line. However, Gorham stopped Sandora on each of the next three plays, setting up a fourth-and-four from the eight.

Dunn completed a pass to Brad Shafran, but Gorham’s Evan Nash made a key tackle at the 4-yard line – just short of the first down – forcing Deering to turn the ball over on downs.

Earlier Gorham had taken a 6-0 lead when Justin Villacci ran to his left, diving over the pylon to cap a 2-yard fourth down touchdown run. Villacci set up that score with a 15-yard burst up the middle to Deering’s five. He finished the game with 97 yards on 22 carries.

Gorham was forced to punt on its first possession of the second half, but once again the defense stepped up to nullify Deering’s offense.

With third and six at its 45, Deering pitched left to backup tailback Peter Olsen. He didn’t get far. Linebacker Jon Mitchell had a running start before planting Olsen deep in Deering’s backfield.

“He ran outside and I saw him,” said Mitchell. “I just tried to get the momentum back on our side.”

The hit forced Deering into another punting situation.

It was another three-and-out on Deering’s next possession, but a well-angled punt by Tim Conley pinned Gorham at its own 2-yard line with 9:40 remaining.

From there, clinging to a slim six-point lead, Gorham did what it does best – run. Eight consecutive runs by Villacci and Mitchell and another by sophomore Doug Woods gave the Rams a fourth-and-short at Deering’s one.

Bring on the Dane.

Exchange student Anders Nielsen kicked a 19-yard field goal from the left hash mark with 1:06 to play giving Gorham a crucial two-score lead at 9-0.

“It was a tough angle,” said Kilborn. “He is a great kicker. His practices consist of two hours of kicking from different angles and different spots. He is a good weapon for us to have.”

Nielsen had missed a 36-yard field goal in the first quarter.

“He overcame that missed one,” Kilborn said. “That was tough for him because he’s his worst critic. He gets on the sideline and I don’t need to say a word for him.”

Nielsen had long been a soccer player, but he had his sights set on a different sport when he came to the United States in August.

“I just wanted to try something new,” he said. “I’ve played soccer for 10 years and I just started to have a lot interest in football. It became my favorite sport and I just wanted to try out.”

“This is why I made that choice.”

The importance of the kick showed when Deering scored less than a minute later.

McMullen then recovered the expected onside kick attempt by Deering with nine seconds remaining to seal the victory for Gorham.

Offense, special teams and defense – Ram “D” pride – all came through for the Rams.

“We’ve been looking for that complete game,” said Mitchell, who plays on both sides of the ball. “It’s really been our offense or our defense. Last week it was our defense. This week we played a complete game. The score didn’t really reflect that, but it was a complete game all around.

“It’s a great feeling knowing that going into the state championship game we are running on all cylinders.”