STANDISH — Jack Hughes’ first pass sailed well past his receiver. Scarborough Coach Lance Johnson reminded his quarterback that the Red Storm were playing on grass, not the faster turf at Scarborough.

Hughes adjusted well.

With 39 seconds remaining Friday night, Hughes lofted a perfectly timed pass down the left sideline. Griffin Madden never broke stride, gathering the ball and racing 47 yards for the touchdown.

Emmett Peoples then added the extra-point kick to give Scarborough a 27-26 victory against Bonny Eagle.

Anthony Simoneau, who already blocked two extra points, intercepted a pass with 24 seconds left to seal it for the Red Storm (1-1).

Hughes had quite the night, passing for 312 yards and three touchdowns on 23 of 38 completions. He also ran for 112 yards on 17 carries.

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“Jack’s an incredible kid. He deserved this,” Johnson said.

Hughes completed passes to eight receivers, led by Tim Carion (six catches, 105 yards).

Quarterback Zack Brannon of Bonny Eagle (0-2) threw for 74 yards, and carried 10 times for 119 yards and a touchdown.

The Scots led most of the game – just like in last week’s opening-game loss to South Portland – and never trailed until Scarborough’s last extra point.

“That’s a tough one,” Bonny Eagle Coach Kevin Cooper said. “I thought our kids prepared as well as they could this week. We had a lot of real good points but not enough to win. … Give credit to our opponent for the second week in a row, making plays at the end to win.”

Bonny Eagle led 20-13 at halftime – with each team having an extra point blocked.

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Scarborough tied it in the third quarter on an 11-yard touchdown pass from Hughes to Jacob Gardner.

Meanwhile, Scarborough’s defensive line of Mahlon Glidden, Josh Reed, William Davoli and Gardner began containing Bonny Eagle’s option rushing offense.

“They did a better job and that made it easier for everyone to make tackles,” Johnson said.

But the Scots’ defense was also strong, especially when Ben Autry intercepted Hughes at midfield and returned to the Red Storm 34 with 3:02 left. The Scots drove quickly to score, capped by Cam Day’s second rushing touchdown, from the 1.

But Simoneau charged in to block the extra point, leaving the score 26-20 with 1:13 left.

“The interception was bad, obviously, but I knew we weren’t out of it,” Hughes said.

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Hughes hit Connor Kelly for 13 yards to the Bonny Eagle 47. The Red Storm hurried to the line and Hughes noticed Madden to his left.

“He was double-covered most of the game but on that last one, he had a lot of space,” Hughes said.

“I knew he had a chance to beat them on the fade. He’s a fast guy.”

Madden is fast, but Hughes learned “the thick grass here” would slow his receiver. Hughes lofted a ball right into Madden’s hands. Peoples’ kick clinched it.

“We had one (kick) blocked and the next three, we settled our protection down,” Johnson said. “Those three points were crucial. Little things like that won the game.”

Scarborough is at Massabesic (0-2) next week while Bonny Eagle is at Bangor (0-2).

“The only thing we can do is keep battling,” Cooper said. “There are six games left. They didn’t give out a gold trophy tonight. We just have to battle and go play a game next week.”


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