BIDDEFORD — Kennebunk junior running back Ryan Connors would get just three carries in the first half, but that would be all he needed to help the Rams put away the rival Biddeford Tigers on Friday night.
Connors scored on runs of 24, 55 and 24 yards as the Rams built up a 27-point halftime lead on their way to a 48-13 victory over Biddeford at historic Waterhouse Field.
“Just great holes from my offensive line and room to run,” said Connors on what he saw on the touchdown runs.
Connors got the Rams on the board with 9:10 remaining in the first when he broke off a 24-yard score. The junior also handles the extra point duties for Kennebunk and would make it 7-0.
Kennebunk’s lead grew to 13-0 late in the first quarter with a 3-yard touchdown run from senior fullback Dante DeLorenzo.
Connors accounted for the rest of the first-half scoring as the junior scored from 55 yards out early in the second and later scored from 24 yards away. He made two more extra points to make it 27-0 at the break.
“He’s been playing great all season long. He’s done some good things for us, mostly in the kicking game, but he’s been a good supplement in terms of the backs and he does a great job on defense. He had a big night,” said Kennebunk coach Joe Rafferty of Connors.
Connors is loving being a part of a talented group of running backs and receivers — especially since it forces the defense to focus on some of those other standouts.
“It’s a lot of fun being a junior with a lot of seniors and experience around me … there’s not a lot of pressure on me,” said Connors.
The Rams added a touchdown pass from QB Tripp Bush to Zack Sullivan early in the third to make it 34-0 before the host Tigers would get on the board.
Biddeford senior QB Carter Edgerton ran the ball six times for 47 yards and hit Cody Saucier and David Murphy for gains of 11 yards as the Tigers marched down the field on the ensuing drive. Edgerton would finish things off with a 4-yard TD run to cut the lead to 34-7 with 6:04 left in the third.
Kennebunk answered quickly as the Rams went 51 yards in six plays. Bush hit Derek Smith with a 38-yard TD pass to close out the drive and make it a 41-7 game.
The Rams added one more score as Luc Gaucher found the end zone on a 5-yard run to make it 48-7.
Biddeford’s Alex McAlevey would score on a 3-yard run midway through the fourth to set the final score.
Despite the lopsided victory on Friday night, Rafferty knows his team has plenty of work left to do to accomplish their goals.
“We’re fortunate. Things have gone our way, but things can turn on a dime and you’ve got to be ready,” said Rafferty. “We’ve got to be ready to play Gorham next week. If we start thinking about the Falmouths and Marshwoods, that’s when you get in trouble. It’s just one step at a time and hopefully we will be there.”
Biddeford coach Brian Curit praised the Kennebunk squad, but was also upset with his team’s effort.
“That’s a very, very skilled football team. They’re picked to win the whole shootin’ match and rightfully so. They have great athletes. They’ve really done a nice job of piecing together a line. I have the utmost respect for Joe Rafferty and Joe Bush and the rest of the guys that he has surrounded himself with,” said Curit. “But I’m very, very disappointed with our effort … very disappointed.”
The Tigers sit at 2-3 and are in the hunt for a Class B South playoff spot, but Curit knows his squad need to step up to contend with the division’s top programs.
“What difference does it make if we don’t decide to tackle, decide to be physical?” said Curit on potentially making the playoffs. “I don’t know. For a long time I think I had a reputation of being able to get kids to play hard and play physical and at least play smart — I mean you’re going to start tackling people up at the shoulder pads over and over and over again?”
Biddeford visits Greely next Friday night. Kennebunk (5-0) will host Gorham next Saturday afternoon.

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