FALMOUTH

Morse High School football coach Jason Darling knew that his sixth-seeded Shipbuilders had to play nearly perfect to have a chance against talented and third-seeded Falmouth on Friday in a Western Maine Class D quarterfinal.

A lost fumble on the first play from scrimmage and a net gain of just two yards in the opening frame spelled disaster for Morse, which dropped a 48-6 decision to the Yachtsmen.

Morse finished 4-5, while Falmouth improved to 8-1 and visits No. 2 York, which downed No. 7 Kennebunk, 21-6 on Friday.

The Shipbuilders fell behind 28-0 in the opening quarter, outgained 227-2. Despite playing better in the second frame, the damage was done.

“I thought if we played the perfect game that we had a shot against them, but we lost two players before the game and had a lot of scrambling and confusion in the early going,” said Darling, who praised his seniors. “Hats off to the seniors. I love those kids. They are a phenomenal bunch and have been with me for a long time. I am proud to be a part of their team.”

Connor Aube

After recovering the Morse fumble, Falmouth quickly went to work as quarterback Noah Nelson (11 of 15, 139 yards, two touchdowns, one interception), hooked up with George Gilbert for a 31-yard TD pass and a 7-0 lead.

Morse’s offense had trouble getting in gear as Falmouth defensive linemen Stone McGovern, Logan Herodes, Drew Chamberlain and Matt Edmonds dominated the Shipbuilder offensive line while holding Morse to just 26 yards on the ground on 23 rushes in the first half.

“They are very good up front, and we didn’t have an answer for those big, talented athletes,” said Darling.

Falmouth’s third play from scrimmage was a 68-yard TD sprint by Connor Aube, who added touchdown runs of 2 and 48 yards before the first quarter was completed for a 28-0 Yachtsmen lead.

Morse safety Damon Osmond intercepted a Nelson pass in the second quarter, and the Shipbuilders found a rhythm on offense, driving from its 20- yard line to the Fal-34. Quarterback Connor Upham (3-for-11, 50 yards) completed three straight passes for first downs, but the drive ended when Upham was intercepted by Gilbert. During the interception return, Upham was blocked hard and stayed down as Gilbert raced to the end zone. A holding penalty negated the touchdown, but Upham was out of the game with an upper body injury.

Falmouth made it a 34-0 lead at the half when Aube hauled in an 8-yard TD strike from Nelson, and Aube scored his fifth touchdown of the evening on the first drive of the third quarter, rumbling 39 yards to paydirt and a 41-0 edge.

Aube rushed for 209 yards on 12 carries.

The Yachtsmen scored again late in the third on Nick Wisseman’s 6-yard run, with place kicker/wide receiver Aiden Murphy (6-for-7 on extra-point kicks and five receptions for 66 yards) adding the point-after kick for a 48-0 lead heading to the final frame.

Morse broke up the shutout on its final drive as senior Scott Petersen swept into the end zone on a 4-yard TD run with 1:24 left.

Falmouth finished with a 510-145 yardage advantage. Gilbert had two catches for 50 yards, while the Yachtsmen defense was paced by five tackles each from Herodes, Chamberlain, Brendon Martin, Wisseman and McGovern.

For Morse, Petersen led the way on the ground with 45 yards on 14 carries, while Josh McDougal hauled in four receptions for 76 yards.

With a large sophomore class due to return next year, Darling is excited about the future of Morse football.

“I think we are headed in the right direction, kids who are committed to working hard during the off-season,” said Darling. “As long as we’re dedicated, I think we are set up for the future. A good example is Falmouth. We lost to them last year 7-0, and they committed to working hard in the offseason and it shows. We can get there.”

No. 3 Falmouth 48,
No. 6 Morse 6

Western Maine Class B Football Quarterfinal
Friday, at Falmouth
Morse— 0006—6
Falmouth — 28 6 14 0 — 48
First quarter
F — George Gilbert 31 pass from Noah Nelson
(Aiden Murphy kick), 10:32.
F — Connor Aube 68 run (Aiden Murphy kick), 8:15.
F — Connor Aube 2 run (Aiden Murphy kick), 4:53.
F — Connor Aube 48 run (Aiden Murphy kick), 1:43.
Second quarter
F — Connor Aube 8 pass from Noah Nelson (kick
failed), :36.
Third quarter
F — Connor Aube 39 run (Aiden Murphy kick),
10:24.
F — Nick Wisseman 6 run (Aiden Murphy kick), 4:07.
Fourth quarter
Mo — Scott Petersen 4 run (run failed), 1:24.
Records — Falmouth 8-1, Morse 4-5.
Up next — Falmouth visits No. 2 York this upcoming
Friday in Western B semifinal.
Note — Morse’s season is completed.