Cheverus holds on for dear life at Westbrook

WESTBROOK—A certain victory turned into anything but for Cheverus’ football team Saturday afternoon at Westbrook, but with an agonizing defeat staring them in the face, the Stags reminded everyone just how mentally tough they can be.

As they did just enough to escape Olmsted Field with a pivotal late-season victory.

Cheverus dominated the first half, embarking on a pair of long scoring drives which culminated with a 21-yard touchdown run from junior Matt Baker in the first period and a 1-yard Baker TD run in the second, but the Stags only led, 14-0, at the break.

When senior Joe Osei scored on a 2-yard run in the third quarter, Cheverus appeared home free, but the Blue Blazes erupted for two touchdowns in nine seconds to get right back in the game.

First, sophomore quarterback Giovanni Staples hit classmate Dimitri Lubin for a 21-yard touchdown pass, then, after Westbrook recovered an onside kick, Staples connected with senior Aidan Taylor on the next play to turn a 21-point deficit into a 21-16 game.

After getting a defensive stop to preserve the lead, the Stags drove to apparently put the game away when senior quarterback Gio St. Onge scored on a 1-yard dive with just 2:17 remaining, but again, the Blue Blazes answered and pulled within five on a 1-yard Staples TD run with 1:22 to go.

The game came down to another onside kick, which was recovered in a scrum by Cheverus junior Jack Fenton, and the Stags were able to run out the clock from there and survive, 27-22.

The Stags improved to 6-1 on the season, set up the regular season game of the year in Class C South next week at undefeated Leavitt and in the process, dropped Westbrook to 2-5.

“We were mentally tough today,” said Cheverus coach Mike Vance. “This is a very steady group. Whether it’s week-to-week or possession-to-possession in a game. Turnovers, touchdowns, it doesn’t matter, they’re very steady.”

Down to the wire

Cheverus has been one of the top teams in Class C South all season, with just one hiccup to date.

The Stags started with a 41-14 home win over York, then held off visiting Gorham (21-20) before downing host Cape Elizabeth (28-0) and Wells (26-20). Cheverus met its match against visiting Fryeburg Academy, losing, 27-7, but last week, in a game played on the turf at Deering due to bad weather, the Stags rolled over visiting Gardiner, 46-6.

Westbrook has been competitive in Class B South, even if it doesn’t have as many wins as it might like.

The Blue Blazes started with a 36-20 win over Biddeford, then lost to Fryeburg Academy (54-14), Kennebunk (35-0) and Massabesic (34-33). After downing Gorham (40-14), Westbrook lost last week to Marshwood (20-14).

A year ago, the teams produced a high-scoring thriller, won by the host Stags, 36-34.

Saturday, on a breezy but pleasant mid-October afternoon (60 degrees at kickoff), Cheverus appeared bound for an easy win before the Blue Blazes roared back to make for a compelling finish.

Cheverus senior Joe Osei breaks a tackle and follows the blocking of senior Brendan Rogers to gain extra yardage early in the Stags’ 27-22 victory Saturday at Westbrook. Hoffer photos.

Westbrook won the opening coin toss but deferred possession to the second half and the Stags took over at their 39 after junior Devin Kelly’s kickoff return. Cheverus then marched to paydirt in nine plays, all on the ground, in 4 minutes, 46 seconds, to go on top to stay.

Osei gained two yards on first down, then senior Elijah Timlin ran for six on a jet sweep before St. Onge kept the ball for three and a first down at midfield. After Osei ran for five yards, the got the ball again for six and a first down at the Blue Blazes’ 39. Baker then got his first chance and bulled up the middle for 13 more. After Osei ran for a yard, then gained four, Baker got the call on third-and-5 and again, he found running room up the middle and this time didn’t stop until he crossed the goal line for a 21-yard score with 7:11 left in the opening stanza. Kelly added the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

The Stags’ defense then forced a three-and-out to get the ball right back to the offense.

Westbrook started at its 39, but senior Gavin Tanner twice ran for just one yard apiece, then Staples threw incomplete, forcing a punt. Senior Jackson Young then unleashed a beauty of a boot, which took a perfect bounce and rolled all the way to the Cheverus 2 (for 57-yards) before being downed.

But the Stags would promptly drain the rest of the first quarter clock and march 98 yards in a dozen plays and 5:48 to double their lead.

Osei got Cheverus out of the shadow of its own end zone by running for five yards, then two more and on third-and-3, six more for a first down at the 15. Baker then provided more breathing room with a 21-yard burst. After Osei gained five yards, he got the ball again and nearly broke away, gaining 16 yards before an ankle tackle from Taylor saved a potential touchdown. Regardless, the Stags had a first down at the Blue Blazes’ 43 and after Baker ran for five yards, Osei made a pair of nice moves to elude tacklers en route to a 20-yard pickup and a first down at the 18. After Osei gained four more, he nearly scored, but was brought down at the 1 for a gain of 13. On the final play of the first quarter (which saw Cheverus enjoy a 158-2 advantage in yardage), Baker was held to no gain.

The second period began with Baker getting the call again and this time, he bulled in from the 1 to cap the lengthy drive. Kelly added the PAT and with 11:57 to go in the first half, the Stags were on top, 14-0.

After a holding penalty on the ensuing kickoff, Westbrook was pinned at its 12, but Tanner ran for 10 yards and the team’s initial first down and after Staples threw incomplete, he scrambled, then found Young for 23 yards and a first down at the 45. The drive would stall, however, as Lubin caught a pass for a two-yard loss, Tanner ran for five yards, then Staples threw incomplete, forcing a punt.

Cheverus began its third possession at its 24 and threatened to drive for another score, before shooting itself in the foot.

After Osei ran for six yards, Baker gained seven for a first down at the 37. Osei then gained three yards, followed by a four-yard rush and on third-and-3, Baker moved the chains with a six-yard pickup. The Stags then went to the air for the first time, as St. Onge rolled right and connected with Kelly for a 12-yard gain to the Blue Blazes’ 38. A holding penalty then backed Cheverus up 10 yards and on the next play, Osei fumbled and Taylor recovered at the Westbrook 44.

The hosts couldn’t take advantage, however.

After Staples scrambled for three yards, he hit Taylor for eight and a first down at the Stags’ 45. Tanner then picked up four, but Staples was sacked by sophomore Evan Metevier for a two-yard loss. Tanner got seven yards back and on fourth-and-1, Tanner picked up a first down at the 34 with a two-yard run. On the next snap, Fenton and Timlin dropped Lubin for a two-yard loss on a pass and on the play, an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the Blue Blazes backed them up to their 47. Tanner ran for a yard, but Staples threw incomplete, and Westbrook had to punt.

With 1:28 left before the half, Cheverus took over at its 24, hoping to add another score, but it fell short.

After Osei twice ran for six yards for a first down at the 36, Osei broke free for 17 yards and a first down at the Blue Blazes’ 47. After St. Onge spiked the ball to stop the clock, Osei ran for seven yards, but St. Onge threw incomplete, then St. Onge was held to one yard on fourth-and-3, giving Westbrook the ball back at its 39 with 10 seconds to go.

After Staples twice threw incomplete, the Stags took a 14-0 advantage to the half.

Cheverus had a commanding 225-42 advantage in yardage, as Osei gained 141 yards on 21 carries and Baker ran for 74 yards and two touchdowns on eight attempts, but the Stags hadn’t put the game away.

Cheverus junior Colby Ross tackles Westbrook sophomore quarterback Giovanni Staples as Cheverus senior Gio St. Onge closes in.

Westbrook got the ball to start the second half and appeared to get right back in the contest, but a penalty erased a potential game-turning play.

Starting at their 20 after a touchback, the Blue Blazes started with an incomplete pass from Staples, but after Tanner ran for five yards, Staples hit senior Thomas Lewis with an eight-yard pass for a first down at the 33. On the next play, Staples scrambled out of harm’s way and found Lubin behind the defense. Lubin broke a tackle, then ran all the way down the field for an apparent 67-yard touchdown reception, but Staples was ruled to have thrown the ball beyond the line of scrimmage and the play was called back. Baker then sacked Staples for a five-yard loss and Young was held to no gain on third-and-20, forcing a punt.

Cheverus took over at its 45 with 8:49 left in the third quarter and in six plays and 3:05, drove to extend its lead.

Osei got things started with a four-yard run and after Baker picked up three, Osei pushed the pile for five yards and a first down at the Blue Blazes’ 43. St. Onge then faked a handoff and hit Kelly for 38 yards to set up first-and-goal at the 5.

“Matt and Joe are great runners and they really open up the passing game,” said St. Onge. “I’m willing to do my part and hand the ball off to them every play if that’s what it takes. I’m really thankful for them.”

After Osei ran for three yards, he culminated the drive with a 2-yard scoring run and Kelly’s PAT made it 21-0 with 5:44 remaining in the frame.

Westbrook then flipped the switch and got right back in the contest in jawdropping fashion.

The Blue Blazes started at their 16 and needed seven plays and 2:19 to get in the end zone for the first time.

After Lubin made a sliding catch for two yards on first down, Staples threw incomplete, but on third-and-8, he scrambled left, then found Taylor for a dozen yards and a first down at the 30. On the next snap, the tandem connected again, this time deep down the left sideline, good for 47 yards to the Stags’ 23. Kelly dropped Tanner for a three-yard loss, but after Staples kept the ball for five yards, he threw a 50-50 ball to the end zone to Lubin, who went up and wrested the ball away for the touchdown. Staples ran in the two-point conversion and with 3:18 left in the frame, Westbrook was within 13.

And nine seconds later, the Blue Blazes would draw even closer.

Westbrook pulled off an onside kick, as senior Gavin Landry fell on the ball at the Cheverus 31 and on the first play, Staples threw deep to Taylor down the left sideline and Taylor caught the ball and ran into the end zone with 3:09 showing. Again, Staples scored on a two-point rush and just like that, the Blue Blazes trailed by only five, 21-16.

Cheverus got the ball back at its 31 and hoped to answer, but after Osei ran for 10 yards and Baker gained 17, Osei ran for three yards, Baker gained four and after a false start penalty, Tanner sacked St. Onge for a 10-yard loss, forcing a punt. On the final play of the third period, Kelly punted the ball away and Westbrook took over at its 20 as the final quarter began.

The Blue Blazes hoped to drive and take the lead for the first time, but the Stags’ defense answered the challenge.

After Tanner was held to no gain, Staples hit Lubin for 10 yards and a first down at the 30. After Tanner ran for four yards, Staples gained six for a first down at the 40, but after Tanner gained one yard, Staples threw incomplete, then on third-and-9, Staples was sacked by Osei and senior Xavier Nadeau for a five-yard loss, necessitating a punt.

Cheverus took over at its 30 with 7:30 remaining and it would march 70 yards in nine plays in 5:13 for a touchdown that seemingly put things away.

Osei did the heavy lifting early, running for five yards, four yards and after being held to no gain, gaining four yards over the left side on fourth-and-1 to move the chains and set up a first down at the 43.

“I have a lot of faith in the guys up front and the backs,” Vance said. “We needed it and the kids pulled it out.”

Osei ran for two more yards, then St. Onge went to the air again, finding Kelly, who had leaked out of the backfield, for 19 yards to the Westbrook 36. Baker then gained eight yards and was brought down by his facemask, a personal foul call which moved the ball all the way to the 14. Osei nearly scored on the next snap, but he was tackled at the 1. St. Onge then capped matters by scoring on a keeper from the 1 and even though Kelly wasn’t able to attempt the PAT, due to a bad snap, the Stags had extended their lead to 27-16 with just 2:17 remaining.

But the Blue Blazes still weren’t finished.

Westbrook got a 25-yard kickoff return by Young to the 43 and Staples immediately went deep to Taylor down the right side. Taylor outleapt a defender and wasn’t brought down until he reached the 1, a 56-yard catch-and-run. Tanner was held to no gain, but with 1:22 to go, Staples scored on a 1-yard run to the right. This time, Staples’ two-point conversion rush was stuffed, but the Blue Blazes were back within five.

The game came down to an onside kick and this time, Cheverus knew it was coming.

Kelly tried to call fair catch and field the pop-up kick, but he couldn’t hold on to it and the ball hit the ground.

For an anxious moment, no one was certain who came up with the loose ball in the pile, as members of both teams pointed in the direction they hoped the official would signal, but when the dust settled, Fenton came out of the mass of humanity at the 45 with the football.

“I just knew I had to take care of my square,” Fenton said. “I trusted my teammates and coaches. We prepare for situations like that. I just ended up in the right place at the right time. The ball was dropped. I didn’t think, I just fell on it. There were some hands in there, but I got it in the end. It was exhilaration more than relief. I didn’t play a perfect game and I wanted to redeem myself.”

“It was pretty nerve-wracking,” St. Onge said. “(Westbrook) already got one earlier, so I just told the guys to just lock in.”

“We came up with that and it was very important,” Vance added.

The Stags could exhale, but they still needed a first down or two to ice it.

Osei ran for 11 yards, forcing Blue Blazes’ coach Sam Johnson to call his first timeout. After Baker gained two yards, Johnson called timeout again. Baker then ran for six yards and Westbrook used its final timeout. On third-and-2, Osei, fittingly, got the call and he pushed the pile just far enough to gain the necessary yardage to the 34, moving the chains one final time. St. Onge then took a knee and that ran out the clock, allowing Cheverus to prevail, 27-22.

“Every week, we get better,” Fenton said. “We made some mistakes, but with our game-planning, our toughness and our coaching, we pulled it out at the end.”

“We just played with a lot of grit,” said St. Onge. “We have players who want to do their part. Facing adversity is great training for life. Our goal is to compete every game.”

“We did what we always do and we finished,” said Osei. “We just had to focus on what needed to be done and we got it done.”

“(Westbrook) made some plays with their skill players, who are very good, but we hung in there and in the end and we had enough to pull it out,” Vance added.

Cheverus finished with 389 yards of offense, most of them coming on the ground.

Osei led the way with 209 yards and a touchdown on a whopping 35 carries.

Baker, on his 17th birthday, impressed as well, gaining 116 yards and scoring twice on 14 attempts.

“We got a lot of good blocks and we can switch it up between us,” said Osei.

“They’re both really good at what they do,” Fenton said. “I don’t know what we’d do without them.”

“Running is what we do,” Vance added. “We don’t whip the ball around the field like a lot of teams, but we had some nice vertical runs today. We saw a couple things we thought we could take advantage of. Those guys get vertical very well.”

St. Onge threw just six times, but completed three attempts for 69 yards. He also ran for a touchdown.

Kelly caught three balls for 69 yards.

The Stags overcame one turnover and three penalties for 32 yards.

Westbrook wound up with 234 yards of offense, with 192 of them coming after halftime.

Staples had a big day throwing the ball, completing 12 of 21 attempts for 214 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He also ran four times for 15 yards and a TD.

Taylor caught five passes for 154 yards with a touchdown.

Lubin had five receptions for 26 yards and a TD.

Tanner gained 38 yards on 14 rushes.

The Blue Blazes were flagged four times for 58 yards.

The big test

Westbrook wraps up its regular season Friday at Deering (4-3).

Cheverus, meanwhile has the daunting task of going to reigning Class C champion Leavitt (7-0), which is coming off its latest seismic victory, a come-from-behind win at Class A powerhouse Thornton Academy Saturday.

“We’re going to go and compete with Leavitt,” St. Onge said. “We’ll see what we can do against them. They’re very good, but we think we have a chance.”

“We just need to keep doing what we’ve been doing,” Fenton said. “We have to cut out the mistakes. I think if we game-plan our hardest and go out there with no mistakes, we have as good a shot as anyone.”

“We just have to do what we always do,” Osei said. “Leavitt’s good, but we’ll play our game.”

“We’re just taking it one week at a time,” Vance added. “We’ve just got to be us. We have to play Cheverus football and execute and that’s what we’ll do.”