KENNEBUNK — The last time the Kennebunk football team took on Gorham High School it delivered a 54-8 walloping of the other Rams team. Their rematch on Friday night panned out similarly, but this time Gorham is going home for the season, and the Rams are moving on.

Kennebunk will be moving on to the Class B South semifinals, a home game against Falmouth next weekend, after defeating Gorham by a score of 35-8.

The difference maker in this one was defense, and the Rams came out with a ferocious start, blocking a punt on the Gorham squads opening drive. The blocked punt would later result in a touchdown a few plays later.

“We’ve played great defense all year,” said Kennebunk Head Coach Joe Rafferty. “I think our linebackers and defensive ends are getting even better, even now in the playoffs. Our front eight guys played well and that made a huge difference.”

The Rams looked as though they were going to shutout Gorham late in the game, as Gorham was yet to notch a score halfway through the fourth quarter, but a pair of long runs from senior Adam McKenny provided them with a touchdown as time winded down.

For the Rams, the offense was clicking just as well as the defense. The team stuck with a ground and pound tactic throughout the matchup, similar to what they have done all season. The strategy continued to work, as both tight end Dante Delorenzo and running back Cam Lovejoy tallied multiple carries for double-digit yardage and multiple scores each.

The Rams now get ready to host Falmouth, who is coming off a blowout 48-8 win against Westbrook.

“I thought they came in here and played us very tough the first time through,” Rafferty said. “They have a lot of athletes, and judging by the score they just put in I think we will be in for a high energy game.”

— Staff Writer Ryder Schumacher can be reached at 282-1535, or via email at [email protected].