Kennebunk football is always sure to field a top-notch defense, which has led to plenty of success in recent years.

However, the 2017 Kennebunk offense has cemented its place as one of the top units in the Class B South, and in ways become the focal point of the team. The Rams field some of the most explosive players in the state, and are led primarily by juniors heading into the playoffs.

Some of those juniors include quarterback Tripp Bush, running back Derek Smith, and receiver Zack Sullivan.

“I’d put us right near the top — there are other teams that have players that are good like us, but I think we’re better,” said Smith.

“It’s been great, we’ve had a lot of people who have stepped up this year which has made everything easier than it was last year. It’s great to have these guys out there,” said Bush on the weapons around him.

Smith has also been excited to see the high-flying offense match the efficiency of the defense.

“Defense first wins championships, when you have a successful defense it helps when you have as successful of an offense to follow it,” said Smith.

The trio has emerged as a well-rounded, athletic unit that has shown the ability to score points in the redzone, at midfield and even from its own zone. Kennebunk coach Joe Rafferty made a point this season to find ways to get these guys into space, and has been successful in doing so.

“It’s been pretty huge for us, spreading the field really opens up the run game as well as the pass game. It’s made a pretty big impact on our team this year,” said Sullivan.

The junior playmakers have also had some of their best performances when the stakes where high, including scoring 35 points on the road against Class B foe Biddeford at Waterhouse Field last week. The Rams were coming off their first loss of the season at home against Marshwood, and proved that they were still right in the mix in the conference.

“We seem to respond well to losses like that. It’s a big credit to our (lineman) as well, they did a great job and everyone really stepped up,” said Smith.

Unfortunately for opponents in Class B, Kennebunk isn’t going anywhere, as these players still have this postseason as well as 2018 together. Smith is looking forward to seeing how high the ceiling is for this group moving forward.

“It’s been big because we have Zack who’s a receiver, I’m a running back, Tripp does both. It really balances out everybody. We’ve always worked really well together and we’re going to continue that next year,” said Smith.

Smith also feels that the Rams are prepared to face each opponents’ best shot, and feels that stopping the core three still won’t be enough.

“People are definitely going to target us but we also have other guys like Cam Lovejoy and Dante DeLorenzo,” said Smith. “It’s good to have those weapons to compliment us as well.”

“Last year we were one of those underdog teams that no one really expected, but this year we actually have people know that we’re good,” added Bush. “It’s exciting.”

The Rams will host Gorham this week in the Class B South quarters, a team they cruised to a 54-8 win over earlier this year. Sullivan hopes the Rams will keep the ball rolling, and get a chance at redemption over Marshwood.

“We just need to keep the momentum and put the loss behind us,” said Sullivan. “We were all heartbroken after that game and we hope to see them again. It will be a good game if we do.”

— Associate Sports Editor Alex Sponseller can be reached at [email protected] or at 282-1535 ext. 323. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.