Bonny Eagle 49

Marshwood 16

The Bonny Eagle Scots will be playing for the state football title for the third time in four years thanks to a decisive 49-16 win over visiting Marshwood Saturday in Standish. Josh Ruby and John Onesti led the offensive charge for the Scots with a pair of touchdowns each.

Marshwood found themselves in the regional final thanks in large part to their defense and running game. In their two previous playoff games, the Hawks held opponents to a combined 14 points. Things started off that way for Marshwood in this one when they took their opening possession and turned it into points with a strong 14-play 80-yard drive that culminated in Dustin Matthews’ one yard touchdown run.

“I didn’t feel like we shut them down,” said Bonny Eagle head coach Kevin Cooper. “Marshwood is a good offense, and we had our work cut out for us.”

As they often do, the Scots responded to the deficit in a hurry. After Ricky Hoyt returned the kickoff near midfield, it took just three plays for Bonny Eagle to tie the score. All three plays were passes from Nate Doehler to Hoyt. Doehler converted on his first of seven extra points to tie the score. Marshwood would never hold the lead again.

The Scots forced a quick three-and-out for the Hawks on their next possession and took over near midfield again following the punt. Doehler picked up several yards on the ground to move his team to the 25. Another long run from Ruby set up Onesti’s 12-yard touchdown run. With 1:28 left in the opening quarter, the Scots showed they could pass and run against Marshwood’s defense.

“The offensive line played great today and our backs ran hard behind them,” Cooper said. “That’s what we wanted to do; we always want to run the ball. (Ruby), (Doehler), and John Onesti ran hard and our offensive line blocked well. We were getting great push at the point of attack so we just kept with it. It’s just good players up front with good backs behind them.”

The Scots turned their third possession into their third touchdown midway through the second quarter with an 80-yard scoring drive. All 80 yards came on the ground in another testament to the Bonny Eagle offensive line. Onesti had 25 on the drive, Ruby had 31, and Doehler had 24.

On their next try, the Hawks managed to inch a bit closer with a very fast five-play scoring drive of their own. Jon Hussey ran for 24 yards, including the final 21 for the score. The kick was good and once again, with the scoreboard showing 21-14, the Hawks had pulled to within one score.

But as they had done on their first three possessions, Bonny Eagle scored a touchdown on their fourth drive of the game. This time, it was a 20-yard pass from Doehler to Onesti. The drive was highlighted once again by several long runs.

“Our line dominated,” said Hoyt. “They work hard during the week improving on what they need to and they worked together for Onesti, Ruby and (Doehler).”

In the second half, the Scots picked up right where they left off with a touchdown on their first try. Ruby carried the ball four straight plays and ran for 68 yards in those four plays. He capped it off with a 41-yard touchdown run. Four minutes later, Ruby rumbled 49 yards for his second touchdown of the game. In the third quarter alone, Ruby gained over 100 yards and finished the day with 212.

Darren Lovley scored the final Bonny Eagle touchdown of the day with a 10 yard run. The Hawks got two more points with a safety late in the fourth.

With the win, the Scots move on to the state title game where they will take on the best of the east, Lawrence at Fitzpatrick Stadium on Saturday at 11 a.m.

“I think it’s going to be a good game,” said Onesti. “We’re both 11-0, it should be a great game.”