Cheverus played mistake-free football and produced big plays on both sides of the ball Saturday in a 41-13 home win against Scarborough.
The Stags (5-2) relied on a rushing game that gained 348 yards, led by 100-yard rushers Justin Johnston (22 carries, 160 yards) and Tre Fletcher (eight carries, 105 yards). Just as importantly, Johnston and Isaac Dunn led a defense that held Scarborough’s prolific passing game to 127 yards – with 41 coming on Reece Lagerquist’s fourth-quarter touchdown after the outcome was decided.
“I think it was just focusing on their receivers and focusing on making the plays in front of us,” said Dunn, a quarterback and defensive back. “We prepared very well. We were able to anticipate what they were going to do and we were on top of all their routes.”
Cheverus, which did not commit a penalty or turnover, will play for second place in Class A North next week in the regular-season finale against Windham (5-2).
Scarborough (4-3), which had five penalties and two bad snaps that led to large losses, can still finish second in Class A South if it beats Deering (5-2) and Bonny Eagle (5-2) doesn’t upset Thornton Academy.
“For us, when we play good teams we just make too many mistakes,” Scarborough Coach Lance Johnson said. “We need to find a way in a hurry to change that.”
Johnston set a positive tone for Cheverus when he burst up the middle for a 44-yard touchdown on his first carry of the game.
Fletcher and Dan Baker also had long touchdown runs.
Fletcher, a freshman, showed the speed to get to the edge and then pulled free of three tackle attempts on his way to a 58-yard score that gave Cheverus a 20-6 lead early in the second quarter.
Baker broke away for a 67-yard touchdown on an end-around on the first play of the second half to make it 26-6.
Baker knew at halftime his number would be called early in the second half, “but not on the first play. I was surprised by that. The line did a great job and I just had one man to beat. I felt someone dive at my feet, and other than that the line did a really great job.”
Kenny Drelich and Dunn had interceptions to halt first-half drives by Scarborough. Dunn’s came in the end zone when he was in one-on-one coverage and wrestled the ball from Scarborough’s receiver.
The Stags’ defensive front, led by Frank Curran and Bob Holzhacker, put consistent pressure on Scarborough quarterback Jack Hughes, who was sacked five times. He completed 9 of 21 passes, with two touchdowns to Lagerquist.
Scarborough was effective at times running the ball. Big back Owen Garrard gained 85 yards on 12 carries, and Hughes and Drew LeClair each ripped off multiple runs of 10-plus yards.
“Their offense is very explosive and we gave ground grudgingly,” Cheverus Coach John Wolfgram said. “We gave them what we called nickels, basically. We made them earn the field. And then we made some key plays, a couple key picks, when we had to.”
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