AUGUSTA — After an uneven offensive performance against Lawrence last week, Brunswick wanted to get back on track Friday against Cony by feeding the ball early and often to workhorse running back Will Bessey.

The Dragons were so eager to get Bessey going that they intercepted Cony quarterback Taylor Heath on the Rams’ first two possessions, leading to two quick Brunswick touchdowns.

Brunswick’s Aaron Carlton, right, intercepts a pass intended for Cony’s Anthony Brunelle to set up the first touchdown Friday in Brunswick’s 58-27 win. Photos by Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Cony defensive end Benaiah Willhoite, left, tackles Ben Palizay, who rushed for 107 yards and three touchdowns to help Brunswick improve to 3-0.

Bessey rushed for 205 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries to lead Brunswick to a 58-27 win at Alumni Field.

“It was huge to get out there, get two quick scores on the board and get the momentum going,” Bessey said. “We started out strong and we ended strong as well.”

Ben Palizay filled in for the injured Joe Perkins and added 107 yards rushing and three touchdowns for Brunswick (3-0), which racked up 515 yards.

Cony (1-2) never recovered from its bad start.

“We didn’t play very good complementary football early,” Cony Coach B.L. Lippert said. “We gave them a short field with two turnovers. They went right down the field.

“But I’m not sure it made much of a difference how long the field was. They kind of went up and down all night against us. That’s a really good offensive football team, and they were without one of their better running backs as well.”

Aaron Carlton’s interception on the third play of the game set up the Dragons at the Cony 42. Bessey went 38 yards on his first carry, and after a false start penalty he went off right tackle for 8-yard touchdown run just 2:20 into the game.

Brunswick again took over at the 42 after a diving interception by Alex Larson. The Dragons fed the ball to Bessey on the next five plays to get down to the 4. Palizay took it in from there to make it 14-0.

“The offensive line will block for anyone, but we like Will Bessey running the ball,” Brunswick senior tackle Josh Goddard said. “He’s his own blocker. You’re not going to bring him down with the first guy.”

The Rams’ next drive stalled at midfield, forcing a punt. Brunswick then started mixing in the play-action passing of senior quarterback Thomas Hanson (6 for 9, 133 yards, TD), including a 15-yard completion to Alan Molnar to the Cony 3. Hanson took it in on the next play for the touchdown.

“You load up the box and Hanson can beat you with his arm,” Lippert said. “He’s an added dimension to that offense.”

Heath connected with Jordan Roddy for a 19-yard touchdown pass over the middle to make it 21-7 with 9:24 left in the first half.

But Brunswick needed just four plays to answer. Bessey made it a three-touchdown cushion again with a 40-yard run that showcased his balance, vision and speed.

“I just hit the hole and I had a big lineman right in front of me. I just read which way to go, read left, and I just took off,” Bessey said.

Related Stories