Joey Foley, Deering High’s bruising junior running back, went into Saturday’s regular-season finale at Cheverus with a chance to reach 1,000 yards rushing this season.
Foley reached that milestone, then raced right past 1,100 yards as well, helping the Rams cap their best season since 2008 with a 35-0 win at Boulos Stadium.
Foley carried the ball 22 times for 221 yards and three touchdowns, and Deering gradually pulled away to finish the regular season with a 7-1 record.
“It means everything,” said Foley. “I’ve been thinking about it all year. I have to thank my linemen, too, for helping me get it.”
The Rams received the opening kickoff and immediately fumbled it away, but Cheverus (2-6) turned the ball over on downs. Deering then drove down the field to go up 7-0 on a 29-yard pass from Tavian Lauture to Santino Cavallaro.
After another defensive stand, Deering drove 84 yards in six plays and made it 14-0 on Foley’s first touchdown, a 9-yard run, early in the second quarter.
Foley needed 112 yards to reach 1,000 and got there by halftime, gaining 133 yards on 13 attempts.
The Rams created some separation in the third quarter. A 19-yard touchdown run up the middle by Foley and a 2-yard dive from Jordan DiBiase made it 28-0.
Then, early in the fourth, Deering induced the mercy-rule running clock as Foley, on his final rush of the game, scored from the 12.
“I get a lot of pleasure running over guys and gaining yards,” said Foley.
“Joey was very good today,” added Deering Coach Brendan Scully. “We were missing the guy (Zeke Dewever) who usually splits carries with him, so it was kind of Joey’s show.”
The Rams will be the No. 2 seed for the Class B South playoffs and will have a bye in the quarterfinal round.
“We’re excited about our season,” said Scully. “We’re still learning, and I think we can still get better.”
Cheverus managed just 152 yards of offense, with half of that coming on its final drive against Deering’s second-string defense.
Despite the loss, the Stags expect to be the No. 5 seed in the playoffs, facing a quarterfinal at No. 4 Marshwood.
“It’s going to be hard,” said Cheverus Coach Skip Capone. “Us against the world, but we’re in the playoffs. Stranger things have happened and I couldn’t ask for better kids. They’ve been so positive.”
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