BIDDEFORD — It was a thriller, but Waterhouse Field has seen many such nailbiters during the years.
It was emotional, but gridiron clashes between Biddeford and Kennebunk usually end with one squad jubilant, the other one crestfallen, and both of them drained.
And it was dramatic in ways not usually found in contests that feature just two total points at halftime.
Such was Biddeford’s 21-8 win, Thursday, over the Rams, one which saw the Tigers up their record to 3-0 and Kennebunk drop to 1-2.
All wins are important.
This one meant a lot to the Tigers, so much so that junior lineman Dan Tanguay, who made big plays all over the field, could barely speak about it.
“I’m an emotional guy,” said Tanguay, the words catching in his throat. “I was bawling my eyes out. Everyone on the defense brought their heart to the game. They brought everything. They wanted 3 and 0 so bad.”
It was Tanguay’s recovery of a fumble by Kennebunk quarterback Dylan Knox at the Ram 33 midway through the third quarter that set up Biddeford’s go ahead touchdown, which came on a 20-yard screen pass from quarterback Travis Vigneault to fullback Nick Gagne.
“Coach (Scott Descoteaux) called an all out blitz,” said Tanguay. “I broke through, ripped his ”˜Under Armor’, and hit the ground. I heard everyone yelling, ”˜ball, ball’. “I saw it and said ”˜I’m not going to take any chances. I’m just going to dive on it.’”
Five plays later, Gagne hauled Vigneault’s short pass near the 20 and rumbled to the end zone. A trio of Rams met him there, but he still fell inside the pylon.
“I was just fighting for that goal line,” Gagne said. “I reached out and got the ball across, barely.”
“Gags is a bulldozer,” Vigneault said. “I just love throwing the screen to him because he pumps his feet. He just executed very well.”
Biddeford lengthened its lead, 15-2, when Vigneault rolled left and found Alex Villandry in the corner of the end zone for a 22-yard score with 7:52 left in the game.
Kennebunk didn’t go quietly, however.
Knox drove the Rams on a six play jaunt covering 53 yards, capping it with a 9-yard strike to Vann Brazz, which made it 15-8.
Kennebunk threatened again, reaching the Tiger 6 with 3:18 to play.
However, Biddeford’s Channing LaFlamme pounced on another Ram turnover, which all but ended Kennebunk’s hopes.
“We played our hearts out,” said Rams’ coach Joe Rafferty. “We can say it was a (heck) of a football game. I just wish we won it.”
Kennebunk’s defense was strong in the first half, accounting for a second quarter safety when linemen Will Foley and Connor Rothrock brought down Tyler Parker in the Tiger end zone.
Later, Brazz made a touchdown saving tackle on Tyler Audie after Audie had sprinted 51 yards with a Vigneault pass.
Vigneault finished the scoring with a 30-yard interception return as time ran out.
“Definitely the first half was a reality check for us,” Vigneault said. “I think we stepped it up, big time, in the second half. Kids just realized they had to step it up to a new level.”
Both teams will play again, Sept. 25, with Kennebunk set to host Marshwood while Biddeford will visit Scarborough.
— Contact Dan Hickling at dhickling@journaltribune.com.
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