It took awhile to get going, but the Portland High football team hit its stride in the middle quarters and beat Gorham, 50-13, on Friday at Fitzpatrick Stadium.
The Bulldogs didn’t have a letdown after beating nemesis Marshwood and weren’t caught looking ahead to next week’s Battle of the Bridge game at South Portland. Reegan Buck, Andrew Brewer and Aidan McGowan all eclipsed 100 yards rushing and Portland improved to 4-3 with its third consecutive victory.
“We respect our opponent, but we did view this as a little bit of a trap game,” said Portland Coach Jason McLeod. “We adjusted and did what we were supposed to do and good things happened.”
Both teams moved the ball in the first quarter, but couldn’t convert.
The Bulldogs then embarked on three long scoring drives in the second quarter.
Portland struck first on a 1-yard touchdown run by Brewer, but couldn’t add the two-point conversion. The Rams (1-6) then produced their most impressive drive and took a momentary 7-6 lead when Izak Young hit Aidan Lee from 15-yards out.
Undaunted, the Bulldogs marched 83 yards in five plays and went on top to stay when Brewer scored on a 12-yard run and Buck ran in the two-point conversion.
Late in the half, Portland marched 69 yards on eight plays and went ahead 22-7 with just 41 seconds remaining. Quarterback Kennedy Charles found Buck in the back corner of the end zone for a 15-yard score and Hunter Temple added the two-point conversion rush.
Temple returning the opening kickoff in the second half 94 yards for a touchdown.
“I just picked up the ball and I saw a hole and I took it,” said Temple. “My teammate, Romano McIlwain, had a great block and that really helped me.”
Then, after a fumble recovery and return by Brayden Wales, Buck scored from 28-yards out to make it 38-7.
Gorham refused to fold and answered with some trickery, when halfback Caden Smith threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Young. Portland answered when backup quarterback Louis Thurston connected with Remijo Wani for a 24-yard TD to make it 44-13 Bulldogs. McGowan then put it away with an 84-yard touchdown run.
“The linemen played really great this week,” said Buck. “Everything after that first quarter was perfect.”
Gorham, which has just four seniors, got strong efforts from Young, Smith and bruising senior back Cody Sellick.
“We’re young, but the guys don’t quit and they play 48 minutes, which is really all I ask every week,” said Gorham Coach Sam Morrison. “We go to Deering next week. Win and we’re in, so the playoffs start now.”
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