BIDDEFORD — Two games. Two points. That was the sum separation this season between Class B South powers Marshwood and Kennebunk.
And thanks to a blocked extra point, it was Marshwood that came away with one-point victory Saturday, winning the regional final, 14-13, at Waterhouse Field.
Kennebunk broke a 7-7 tie midway through the third quarter on a 6-yard run by quarterback Tripp Bush, capping a drive fueled by four Marshwood penalties.
Trevor Chase came off the edge to swat Ryan Connors’ PAT. Connors kicked a last-second field goal to win the regular-season meeting, 17-14.
“We knew special teams would be a very important part of this game. It always is in games like these,” Chase said. “We practiced blocks all week and changed up a couple things and had to get around the edge and go for it.”
Second-seeded Marshwood (10-1) will go for its second straight Class B title and fourth in five years with it faces Brunswick next Saturday at Portland’s Fitzpatrick Stadium.
“We always practice blocking kicks,” said Marshwood Coach Alex Rotsko. “Hey, one extra point, that can be a big play in a game, and sure enough, that was the difference today. Both teams were so evenly matched. If we played 100 games, we’d probably win 50 and they’d win 50. Lucky for us we won today.”
Top-seeded Kennebunk finished 10-1 and will graduate 17 seniors. Many were key contributors on the 2016 regional championship squad.
“My heart goes out to them personally. It’s an emotional thing,” said Joe Rafferty, in his 40th year as Kennebunk’s coach. “I’m proud of our kids, just sorry for them. It doesn’t change who we are or what we are, but it’s gonna be painful.”
After Chase’s kick block, Marshwood drove 79 yards for the go-ahead score. Quarterback Tommy Springer got a 40-yard chunk on a draw play. Facing fourth-and-7 from the 8, Springer rolled right, avoided an onrushing lineman and dumped a pass to fullback Justin Bryant, who barreled in for the score with seven seconds left in the third quarter.
“It was a stressful situation for sure, but it was well-executed,” Springer said. “We practice this all week, and when you have a defender shoot up like that, step up and throw the ball and stay calm.”
Jake Lindsay, who missed three games because of an injury, banged in the go-ahead extra point.
Kennebunk quickly drove to the Marshwood 22, powered by two completions from Bush to Zack Sullivan (six catches, 155 yards), but John Valentine forced a fumble on a Bush scramble and Marshwood’s Cullen Casey recovered.
“I dropped into coverage because I was reading pass, and when Tripp came around, he put his shoulder down, and when someone does that you kind of have to man up and take it,” Valentine said. “I just put my helmet right in the pocket where the ball was, and the ball went flying.”
Kennebunk’s next chance ended when Bush’s fourth-down pass was knocked down by Dylan Strong. The Rams’ final chance, after taking over at their own 47 with 16 seconds remaining, resulted in three incompletions against tight coverage.
In the first half, Marshwood struck first on a 39-yard pass from Springer to Valentine. Kennebunk tied it on a well-executed gadget play, with wingback Derek Smith throwing to Bush for a 4-yard score.
Steve Craig can be reached at 791-6413 or:
scraig@pressherald.com
Twitter: SteveCCraig
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