STANDISH – With one win last week, Massabesic ended a losing streak. With another, the Mustangs became a contender.

Massabesic came back twice Friday to stun Bonny Eagle 31-28 on the Scots’ field.

Junior quarterback Jake Desrochers rushed 25 times for 196 yards and all five Massabesic touchdowns. His 2-yard touchdown with 1:22 remaining was the winning score.

Desrochers then clinched the game with an interception at midfield with 35 seconds left.

“This is amazing,” said Desrochers, whose Mustangs (2-0) stopped an 11-game losing streak last week. “This is the best we’ve been for a long time.”

Bonny Eagle (0-2) got a stellar performance from senior Matt Burnell, who scored all four of the Scots’ touchdowns, two running, one on a pass reception, and the other on a 58-yard punt return.

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Burnell, a receiver, joined the backfield when running back Nick Adkins left the game after one carry with a sore ankle.

“Matt Burnell stepped up and was fantastic tonight,” Scots Coach Kevin Cooper said. “But you have to give them a lot of credit. Their big players made plays when they needed them the most.”

Massabesic trailed 15-0 midway through the first quarter before scoring four straight touchdowns. But point-after conversions were a problem all night for the Mustangs — they made just one.

Ahead 19-15 at halftime, the Mustangs began the second half with a 10-play, 51/2-minute touchdown drive to make it 25-15.

Burnell’s punt return came with 2:08 left in the third quarter. In the fourth, a Tyson Goodale 55-yard pass to Shawn Duane set up Burnell’s 13-yard run for a 28-25 lead with 5:28 to go.

“We thought we took control of the momentum,” Cooper said.

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But Desrochers, dangerous flanker Casey Nava and fullback Sam Chaves went to work, orchestrating a 78-yard drive.

With the Scots giving Nava extra attention, Desrochers faked a handoff and took off on a 33-yard run. That set up his 2-yard score.

“Nava’s a great player,” Desrochers said, “and they definitely focused on him a lot, which gave a lot of openings for myself and Sam.”

Desrochers also passed for 62 yards while directing the Mustangs to 361 yards of offense. Chaves carried 20 times for 73 yards. Nava carried for 36 yards. Brandon Coulombe caught three passes for 33 yards. Center Josh Andrews and guards Joshua Lestage and Mark Roussin helped the cause with solid blocking.

The Scots accounted for 390 yards, including 170 in the air.

But Bonny Eagle also made three turnovers to none by Massabesic.

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With just over a minute remaining, Bonny Eagle began its final drive on its 19. The Scots converted two third-down plays, but Desrochers timed his interception perfectly.

Dan Welch had an interception earlier in the game.

It was Desrochers who recovered the Bonny Eagle fumble. Standing only 5-foot-9, Desrochers stood out all over the field, especially on offense.

“He’s so good,” Mustangs Coach John Morin said. “He’s a triple-option quarterback. He makes the decisions after the ball is snapped.”

Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6425 or at:

kthomas@pressherald.com

Twitter: ClearTheBases

 


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