LISBON FALLS

On Maranacook’s first play from scrimmage in Saturday’s Western Maine Class D football game against Lisbon High School, Black Bears quarterback Kyle Morand took the snap and rushed straight ahead, running a basic quarterback sneak that saw 11 players per side fighting for every inch of real estate in a physical battle of wills.

Morand picked up solid yardage by running that basic play several times against the Greyhounds, but when push came to shove, the Lisbon defense held, and held often enough on its way to a 24-6 victory on Thompson Field.

The win gives the Greyhounds a five-game winning streak and a 5-1 mark, with the Dirigo Cougars (4-2) scheduled to visit this upcoming Saturday. Maranacook fell to 3-3.

“They are a big strong team, and they hit hard and play hard, something that we knew coming in,” said Lisbon coach Dick Mynahan. “We are not a big strong team up the middle, and they went toe-to-toe with us. We just don’t have that size inside to stop that.”

The Black Bears used the clock well, controlling time of possession to the tune of 28:57-19:03, but nearly all challenges were met by a stingy Lisbon defense, led by Jordon Torres (12 tackles), Joe Philbrick (11), Austin Proctor (six tackles, one sack), Jacob Johnson (six tackles, one sack), Jeffrey Bishop (five tackles, sack) and Tyler Halls (five tackles, two passes defended).

“They started off really strong, something I didn’t expect, and I figured they would go more to the outside,” said Johnson, who said a slight adjustment at the half allowed the Greyhounds to control the line of scrimmage. “We put the tackles to the outside shoulder of their offensive tackles in the second half, and that seemed to slow them down a little bit.”

Johnson said the game was physical.

“This was definitely one of the more physical games that we have had this year, but we figure it will get tougher as we go on, with Dirigo a tough team,” said the senior.

Long drive stalls

Maranacook marched from its own 32 to the L-24 on its opening drive, eating up over six minutes of the clock. A key play occurred on third down when Torres stepped up and dropped Black Bears running back Isiah Weston for two-yard loss. One play later, Morand’s pass fell incomplete, allowing Lisbon to take over on downs.

Now, the Greyhounds had their chance to push the Black Bears back, with running backs Torres and Quincy Thompson picking up big chunks of yardage. Thompson finished off the 11-play, 77-yard drive with a 2-yard TD run, with Torres running in the 2-point conversion for an 8-0 Lisbon lead.

Maranacook went threeand out on its next possession, and the Greyhounds opened the second quarter by doubling their lead, this time on a Kyle Bourget 18- yard TD pass to the freshman Halls for a 16-0 lead with 10 minutes remaining until halftime.

“Tyler made a great catch out there, and as a freshman we know that he is going to be a special athlete before he is done,” said Mynahan.

“That play was important because the corners had to play deep, allowing us to open our running game more,” said Bourget, who was 3-of-7 in the air for 48 yards.

The Black Bears answered, getting a 19-yard jaunt to paydirt by Chris Robinson (15 carries, 98 yards, TD) to close to within 16-6, and an adjustment on defense by Maranacook caused a fumble on Lisbon’s next series.

“In the second quarter, they were yelling and (center)

Alex (Bennett) couldn’t hear me,” said Bourget, who yelled “Alex, snap the ball” several times before a bad exchange put the ball on the ground, with Jake Gibson recovering at the L-36.

But, a holding penalty pushed Maranacook back and Lisbon again held as the team’s went to the intermission.

Thompson put this one on ice two plays into the second half, taking a hand-off and cutting through the Black Bears defense for a 58-yard TD run and a 24-6 Greyhounds lead.

Thompson finished with 139 yards on the ground, scored a pair of touchdowns, caught two passes for 44 yards, and threw a pass to Torres for a 14-yard gain and a first down.

Morand ran 13 times for 71 yards for Maranacook, while Zach Bessette hauled in three passes for 40 yards. Weston had a team-high seven tackles.

With Dirigo and Oak Hill (at Wales, Oct. 26) left on the schedule, Mynahan realizes there’s no time for his Greyhounds to relax.

“There is not an easy game for us anymore, and every game is a fun game from here,” said Mynahan. “We have a chance to win in every game and a chance to lose in every game. For us, we just have to work hard.”

Lisbon 24,
Maranacook 6

At Thompson Field, Lisbon Falls
Maranacook—0600—6
Lisbon—8880—24
First quarter
L — Quincy Thompson 2 run (Jordon Torres run), 1:39.
Second quarter
L — Tyler Halls 18 pass from Kyle
Bourget (Quincy Thompson run),
10:00.
M — Chris Robinson 19 run (run
failed), 6:35.
Third quarter
L — Quincy Thompson 58 run
(Jordon Torres run), 11:00.
Records — Lisbon 5-1, Maranacook 3-3.
Up next for Lisbon — This upcoming Saturday at home against Dirigo (4-2), 1:30 p.m.

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