BRUNSWICK

It was cold on Friday night, temperatures hovering around freezing, with Thursday night’s snow piled up around the football field, and the breath of players rising to the heavens.

Brunswick’s offense was far from matching the cold night in the Eastern Maine Class B Regional final against third-seeded Lawrence.

The Dragons scored on their first five possessions en route to a dominating 48-19 victory, sending 9-1 Brunswick to the State Class B title game this upcoming Saturday against undefeated Marshwood (11- 0), which slipped past York, 14-13, in the Western B Regional final on Saturday, at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland. The start time will be announced by the Maine Principals’ Association.

“I am happy for all of our players, all of our Alumni players. This is something that is a long time coming and I am proud to be coaching this team,” said Brunswick coach Dan Cooper.

“This win means everything, not just for our team, but our town, family and friends,” said Brunswick senior running back/linebacker Alex Bandouveres, who rushed for a touchdown and returned a Cody Martin interception for a third-quarter score and a 48-13 Dragons lead.

Early turn

Whether it was an intentional onside kick or a shank, the opening kick-off went perfectly for Lawrence (8-3), with Jhon Ocampo recovering the kick to give the Bulldogs the ball at the B-47. Cole Robinson gained 32 yards on the first play from scrimmage and Martin threw to Robinson on the next play for a 15-yard score and a 6-0 Bulldogs lead just 20 seconds into the game.

But, there was little panic by the Dragons, despite a fumble by Will Bessey that was recovered by teammate

Nick Osbourne to keep Brunswick’s opening drive alive. The 10-play march, keyed by a 17- yard Thomas Hanson to Bandouveres hookup on fourth down, was finished off by a Bessey 3-yard TD run. Evan Murray’s extra-point kick gave the Dragons a 7-6 lead.

“The answer was important, and we have worked all season to play with poise and to play four quarters,” said Cooper.

Brunswick’s defense forced the first of seven Lawrence three-andouts, and an 8-yard punt gave the Dragons the ball at the L-40.

Seven plays later, Hanson dove into the end zone from the L-1 for a 14-6 lead, and even after Martin hooked up with receiver Dustin Simpson-Bragg for a 75-yard touchdown on Lawrence’s next drive to get the Bulldogs to 14-13, there was no stopping the Brunswick offense, which answered with a 68-yard drive highlighted by a Bessey 54-yard run. Cam Berry capped the drive with a 7-yard TD run and a 21-13 Brunswick advantage after a quarter.

Brunswick’s offense kept it going, with Bessey adding an 8-yard TD run in the second quarter followed by a Bandouveres 3-yard run to paydirt to give the Dragons a 35-13 halftime lead.

“I think we played our best game of the season both offensively and defensively. This was an impressive performance,” said Cooper. “They knew what plays were coming, but they still couldn’t stop us. Just good, hard running, and we were fortunate enough to get a couple breaks, fall on some fumbles and just play well all-around.

“Defensively, we forced Lawrence to go away from the running game and throw the ball, and they didn’t make the plays tonight. They made all the plays they needed to last week (a 28-27 semifinal win over Cony), but tonight they just couldn’t.”

Hanson, who was 3-for-3 in the air for 81 yards, threw to Corban Teel for a 26-yard score with 5:08 left in the third quarter, and Bandouveres timed a Martin pass and rumbled 20 yards to the end zone to put the Bulldogs away.

“All week we talked about getting pressure on him, and when he is able to set and throw he is a very good quarterback,” said Bandouveres of Martin, who was 7-for-19 for 143 yards and three touchdowns.

“It was great teamwork tonight,” said Hanson. “The ‘O’ line was opening up big holes tonight for Bessey and Bando. They were the heroes tonight. It was our goal from the start to make the state game, and it has been tireless work. But, we were able to do it. Everyone just wants to win.”

“They put in the hard work and they have done it,” said Cooper after Brunswick punched its ticket to the state game for the first time since 2003. “They have another week of practice and will go down there and play just as hard as they have all season.”

Lawrence completed the scoring with Martin throwing again to Simpson-Bragg (three receptions, 129 yards, two touchdowns) late in the fourth quarter.

Bessey, coming off his 365- yard, four touchdown performance against Messalonskee last week, had another big night, rushing for 203 yards on 25 carries. Bandouveres added 85 tough inside yards on 22 lugs.

Defensively, Kievone Washington sacked Martin and picked up five tackles, while Jaznel Burns, Logan Ouellette, Tristan Graves and Jesse Devereaux added five tackles each and held Lawrence to just four first downs and 207 total yards.

No. 1 Brunswick 48,
No. 3 Lawrence 19

Eastern Maine Class B
Regional Final
Friday at Brunswick
Lawrence—13 0 06—19
Brunswick — 21 14 13 0 — 48
First quarter
L — Cole Robinson 15 pass from
Cody Martin (run failed), 11:40.
B — Will Bessey 3 run (Evan Murray
kick), 7:26.
B — Thomas Hanson 1 run (Evan
Murray kick), 3:01.
L — Dustin Simpson-Bragg 75 pass
from Cody Martin (Kyle Robinson
kick), 1:30.
B — Cam Berry 7 run (Evan Murray
kick), :18.
Second quarter
B — Will Bessey 8 run (Evan Murray
kick), 7:41.
B — Alex Bandouveres 3 run (Evan
Murray kick), 1:24.
Third quarter
B — Corban Teel 26 pass from
Thomas Hanson (kick failed), 5:08.
B — Alex Bandouveres 20 interception return (Evan Murray kick), 3:35.
Fourth quarter
L — Dustin Simpson-Bragg 30 pass
from Cody Martin (kick failed), 6:16.
Records — Brunswick 9-1, Lawrence
8-3.
Up next for the Dragons — Saturday
against Western B champ Marshwood (11-0) at Fitzpatrick Stadium in
Portland in State Class B Championship. Time TBA.