GORHAM

The schedule-makers have certainly been kind to the Morse High School football team, at least in the early going.

Figure, the Shipbuilders have faced winless squads Oceanside, Gardiner, Fryeburg Academy and on Friday night Gorham in four of their first five games, with only Falmouth (a 7-0 loss) among the contending teams in Western Maine Class B on the early docket.

However, a 22-21 loss to Fryeburg on Sept. 28th was a hard pill one to swallow for Jason Darling’s Shipbuilders, and throughout the week, the coach reminded his squad that Gorham, though a struggling squad outscored 255-9 through four games, was not going to back down.

The ’Builders heard their coach load and clear, rolling to a 56-0 victory and spoiling the Rams’ Homecoming festivities.

Morse improved to 3-2, while Gorham fell to 0-5.

“The benefit that we have is that we have some tough kids, and they didn’t linger about that loss for long and got back to it,” said Darling, whose squad sees a significant stepup in competition this upcoming Friday at home against undefeated Kennebunk, followed by a visit to Marshwood on Oct. 18. “We will see where we stand after the next two weeks. But, if we can limit the mistakes, grind and slow the game down to eat some clock, these kids can get it done against those teams.”

Bounce back

After forcing a Gorham punt on the game’s first possession, Morse turned the ball over as Gage Pratt pounced on the loose ball at the G-34. That was the highlight for the Rams, who punted again and watched Morse explode for 42 points on just 13 plays from scrimmage for a 42-0 halftime lead.

Morse quarterback Matt Belanger provided the spark on the Shipbuilders’ second drive, hooking up with tight end Casey Watson for a 41- yard gain to the G-4. Belanger finished the drive on the next play, sweeping right for a touchdown with 6:20 left in the opening frame. Ethan Winglass kicked his first of six extra points for a 7-0 lead.

Gorham’s third straight threeand out resulted in a punt, with Trenton Moore finding room after fielding the kick and scampering 36 yards to the G-26. Two plays later Scott Peterson rumbled in for a 13- yard TD run and a 14-0 lead.

Morse’s next drive was even shorter, with Liam McDonough breaking four tackles on his way to a 55-yard TD run and a 21-0 edge through a quarter.

“You can never take a team out of your sights, and we did that against Fryeburg,” said McDonough, who had a team-high seven tackles and rushed for 81 yards on five lugs with a touchdown. “We were down coming into practice on Monday, but we were able to get back to work and get it done tonight. A lot of good attitudes came out of this win.”

The Shipbuilders gained 162 yards in the opening 12 minute and held the Rams to just four yards on 15 plays from scrimmage.

“It’s 11 on 11, and there are no advantages coming into a game, and we just wanted to make sure it was about us and to get better,” said Darling of his team’s good start to take control.

The second quarter didn’t get any better for the hosts, who turned the ball over three times and watched the Shipbuilders score 21 more points. A six-play, 59-yard drive was finished off by a Moore 27-yard TD run, and one play after Josh McDougal recovered a Gorham fumble, Colby Wadleigh rumbled 23 yards to paydirt and a 35-0 lead.

Morse didn’t run an offensive play for its final score of the first half, as freshman Damon Osmond (two interceptions) picked off a Stephen Burns pass, and dodged and weaved 34 yards for a touchdown.

Darling’s reserves gained valuable experience in the second half, outscoring Gorham 14-0. Wadleigh faked a punt and went 62 yards for a third-quarter score, and Raz Baltazar showed his speed in the fourth quarter, cutting right, then left for a 62-yard TD run.

The Shipbuilders rushed for 328 yards, led by Wadleigh (two carries, 85 yards, two TDs). Belanger was 5- for-5 in the air for 81 yards. Baltazar and Tyler Barter each had five second half tackles, and the Shipbuilders held Gorham to 119 yards of offense.

Pratt led Gorham on the ground with 57 yards on 17 punishing straight-ahead rushes, while Michael DesRoches added 30 yards. The Rams ran the ball 37 times for 117 yards. Pratt had six tackles, with John Hamlin and DesRoches making five stops each.

Morse 56, Gorham 0

At Gorham High School
Morse— 212168—56
Gorham—0 000— 0
First quarter
M — Matt Belanger 5 run (Ethan Winglass
kick), 6:20.
M — Scott Peterson 13 run (Ethan Winglass
kick), 3:52.
M — Liam McDonough 55 run (Ethan Winglass kick), 2:11.
Second quarter
M — Trenton Moore 27 run (Ethan Winglass
kick), 10:06.
M — Colby Wadleigh 23 run (Ethan Winglass
kick), 9:40.
M — Damon Osmond 34 interception return
(Ethan Winglass kick), 6:45.
Third quarter
M — Colby Wadleigh 62 run (pass failed),
6:26.
Fourth quarter
M — Raz Baltazar 62 run (Connor Upham
pass to Ali Al-Fasalawi), 8:45.
Records — Morse 3-2, Gorham 0-5.
Up next for Morse — This upcoming Friday
at home against Kennebunk (5-0), 7 p.m.