Portland pulled away from Deering in the second half for the second time this season and advanced to the Eastern Class A football semifinals with a 28-7 win Friday night at Fitzpatrick Stadium.

Portland (6-3) will play No. 2 Windham next Saturday.

The running combination of Joe Esposito and George Chaison-Lapine churned out big yardage for the Bulldogs. Chaison-Lapine scored two touchdowns and Esposito added one. The Bulldogs overcame some uncharacteristic turnovers to control Deering (4-5), which trailed only 7-0 at halftime. In the regular-season meeting, the Rams 14-7 at halftime before the Bulldogs dominated in the second half. Portland won that game, 42-14, but later forfeited the victory because it used an ineligible player.

The teams will meet again in the traditional Thanksgiving Day game.


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