BRUNSWICK

Two teams will take the field Saturday night (6:06 p.m. kick-off) for the State Class B high school football championship at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland (6:06 p.m.).

However, the different colored uniforms, the black and orange of Brunswick and the purple and white of Marshwood, look to be the only differences between the two squads as they prepare for what will hopefully be an epic battle of running teams.

Both the Hawks of South Berwick and Dragons of Brunswick are run-oriented, utilize a double-wing formation and rely on solid blocking from talented offensive lines.

“We run exactly the same plays,” said Brunswick coach Dan Cooper, who will lead his Dragons into their first state final in football since 2003 when the Dick-Leavitt-led Brunswick squad fell to Deering.

“Very similar formations, a lot of motion, with each team providing their own little wrinkles,” said Marshwood coach Alex Rotsko. “When a team has one running back to stop, that is easy. But, Brunswick has two guys who contribute, which makes playing them a lot tougher. On defense, their defensive line gets off the ball and brings pressure.”

Marshwood has received over 2,000 yards from senior running back Brett Gerry (2,090, 31 touchdowns), who is capable of finding holes and pulling away from defensive backs, but also is powerful enough to run over a hard-charging linebacker on his way to the end zone.

“Brett is a combo back, who plays both tailback and fullback,” said Rotsko, who also employs running backs Jackson Howarth (560 yards) and Zach Doyon (351).

“Defensively, we can not give up the big play, something that we have been very good at stopping this season,” said Cooper of his defense, which has allowed 168 points in 10 games (9-1).

The Hawks were not pushed in their first 10 games. In the regular season, Marshwood outscored opponents, 431-67 while going perfect (8-0). The routs continued in the quarterfinals and semifinals, with Marshwood taking it to eighth-seeded Fryeburg Academy, 61-0, and No. 5 Westbrook, 53-0, respectively.

Things changed a bit in the Western B Regional final. Facing No. 2 York on Saturday, Marshwood was slowed by the Wildcats’ defense, but still led 14-0 with four minutes remaining in regulation. But, York made a run, scoring 13 quick points before a blocked extra point by the interior Marshwood line allowed the Hawks to avoid a possible overtime.

“We didn’t play as well and we were fortunate to get that win,” said Rotsko.

In all, Marshwood holds a 559-80 scoring advantage, an average margin on the scoreboard of 50-7.

“They are a good team, and I feel that Marshwood has more weapons and is just fast and athletic,” said Cooper. “Even their offensive line is athletic and capable. The quarterback (senior Luc Blanchett) is a runfirst type of player and is very good, while Gerry, along with a few other players, can get it done. Saturday will be a tough test.”

“Luc has been a big difference-maker for us,” said Rotsko, who watched Blanchette run for 640 yards and pass for another 367 (26 of 32) with 11 touchdowns. “Last year as a junior he was a captain, and again this year he is an All-Conference selection. He is another threat to run the ball for us, and when you have a quarterback and three running backs who touch the ball, that makes us tough to stop.”

Marshwood, which lost to Mt. Blue, 42-40, two years ago in the state championship, came into the year expecting to have success.

“Two years ago, we were coming off a 2-6 season and no one really picked us to get that far,” said Rotsko. “This year, we can’t say that. We expected to be here and the challenge was to stay focused.”

Brunswick pride

Cooper showed a bit of emotion after his team’s 48-19 Eastern B Regional final win over Lawrence last Friday. One year earlier, the Dragons fell to Cony at home in the Regional final, 48-38.

As the 2014 season neared, Cooper saw a dedicated, but young, Brunswick squad gearing up for what he hoped would be a magical run.

“Once the school year had ended on June 20, these kids have been all about football,” said Cooper. “They bought into football first, and it has been like that for 15 weeks. Our success has come from the kids having pride and following the plan. They believe in themselves, and even though we were young with just a few kids having varsity experience, they came out quickly and kept it going.”

Behind a solid offensive line, running backs Will Bessey and Alex Bandouveres have excelled this year. Bessey, a junior, has rushed for 1,476 yards on 158 carries with 15 touchdowns, while the senior Bandouveres, nicknamed “Bando,” has pounded his way to 1,105 yards on 155 lugs with 13 trips to the end zone. In two playoff games, Bessey rushed for 567 yards in wins over Messalonskee (27-20) and Lawrence.

Quarterback Tom Hanson, just a sophomore, was 35-of-66 for 657 yards and 11 touchdowns, with Ricky Klatt finding paydirt seven times, with nine catches for a team-leading 211 receiving yards. Other receiving leaders for Brunswick are Bandouveres (9-192, TD), Bessey (8-120, TD) and Alan Molnar (5-65, TD).

A key, according to Cooper, is his team’s ability to hold on to the football.

“The offense has done a good job taking care of the ball, and we have been fortunate to limit our turnovers, something that we have been good at for two seasons,” said the coach.

Middle linebacker Tristan Graves leads the Brunswick defense, with 85 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions. Jaznel Burns has 67 stops and a team-leading eight sacks, with Kyle Maillet producing 52 tackles and Jesse Devereaux three interceptions.

“Defensively, I feel this team has bought into the game-plan,” said Cooper. “As a team and a coaching staff, we are on the same page. This season has been a complete team effort top to bottom.”

Former Brunswick coach Dick Leavitt has returned to the Dragons, helping Cooper and his team throughout the playoffs. Usually seen watching in a golf cart on the sideline, Leavitt has brought more than just his wealth of knowledge to the Dragons.

“Yes, he brings years of football knowledge, but more than that he brings with him his ‘Brunswick pride,’” said Cooper. “The kids feed off of that. It has been great to see.”

Cooper feels his team has energized the Brunswick community.

“This year has just been fantastic, with our families and the community all coming together,” said the coach. “The home crowds have been unbelievable.

“I think winning a ‘Gold Ball’ on Saturday would be celebrated for a long time by this community, and it would be vindication for all the kids that I have coached over these many years. The hard work everyone has put in will have paid off.”