Deering stays undefeated with narrow win over Biddeford

PORTLAND—Joy has returned to Memorial Field.

And triumph has as well.

But Deering had to scratch and claw for all 48 minutes of Friday evening’s contest versus Biddeford before it could enjoy its first home victory in five years.

A victory which kept the Rams’ magical season of resurgence going strong.

Deering, which scored 52 points in its first two games, couldn’t solve the Tigers in the first half, when it shot itself in the foot with multiple penalties, missed a field goal, then lost junior quarterback Tavian Lauture to an injury.

The Rams’ defense was up to the challenge, however, giving up passing yardage to Biddeford senior quarterback Gina Mariello, but coming up huge when it had to with a pair of interceptions.

For most of the third period, nothing changed before Deering got a break thanks to its special teams, when a partially blocked punt by junior Santino Cavallaro set the Rams up at the 46 and by quarter’s end, they had driven all the way to the 1.

An eventful final stanza began when sophomore Jordan DiBiase, the backup quarterback, scored on a sneak. The extra point failed, so Deering clung to a 6-0 lead the rest of the way.

The Tigers looked to immediately answer, driving to the Rams’ 3 before senior Archie Rubin’s interception ended the threat.

After two more defensive stops, Deering had a chance to ice the victory, but faced fourth-and-1 from its 39. While everyone in the stadium expected sophomore workhorse running back Joey Foley to get the call with the game hanging in the balance, DiBiase kept the ball instead and not only picked up the first down, but broke away for a clinching 46-yard run.

The Rams ran out the clock from there and were able to celebrate an exhilarating 6-0 victory.

Deering improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2011, won at home for the first time since Oct. 19, 2018 and in the process, dropped valiant Biddeford to 0-3.

“It was great to see some people here and great to give them a tough, hard-fought win,” first-year Rams coach Brendan Scully said. “I’m sure a lot of folks were on the edge of their seats right until the end. I’m glad we didn’t disappoint them.”

Rebirth

In 2015, Jason Jackson coached Deering to six victories and a berth in the Class A South semifinals. Between 2016-22 (there was no season due to COVID in 2020), the Rams won a total of 10 games, as Jackson and three more coaches came and went.

Everything changed this fall with the arrival of Scully, a one-time successful coach at Noble, more recently the athletic director at Massabesic, who is also now teaching at Deering.

The Rams expected to be improved this season, but shocked everyone with a 17-7 win at perennial contender Marshwood in the opener, then rolled to a 35-6 win at Mt. Blue last week, the program’s first back-to-back victories since the aforementioned 2015 campaign.

“I’ve learned a lot from some great coaches over the years,” said Scully. “I’m just doing that. It seems that the kids are buying in. I’d like to take credit for being a genius or something, but I’ve stolen the best ideas from the best people and we’re just using them.”

Biddeford, meanwhile, opened with losses to Westbrook (36-20) and Marshwood (40-6).

Last year, the Tigers came to Portland and beat the Rams, 34-0.

Friday, on a breezy, comfortable evening (64 degrees at kickoff), in front of a large and vocal crowd, Deering turned the tables, beating Biddeford for the first time since Sept. 28, 2012 (28-9 at home) while winning a third consecutive game for the first time in eight years.

The Rams won the opening coin toss and in a rarity these days, opted to receive.

Then, in a sign of things to come, Deering had some progress moving the ball, but ultimately was flustered.

The Rams who lost 15 yards after the kickoff returndue to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, began at their 28 and on first down, Foley was leveled for a one-yard loss by Biddeford senior Jamisen Worthley, who would spend much of the evening in Deering’s backfield.

Lauture then threw incomplete, but on third-and-11, senior Pedro Lombi got the call and scampered for a dozen yards and a first down at the 39. After Lauture kept for nine yards, the Rams went backwards, as Foley was dropped for a two-yard loss by senior Maverick White, then Lombi was thrown for a loss of nine by junior Travis Edgerton, forcing a punt.

The Tigers began their first offensive series at their 41 and came out throwing, as Mariello connected with junior Domenick Smith for eight yards on a slant. Edgerton then gained four for a first down at the Rams’ 47. After Lauture dropped senior Jaydon Agosto for a three-yard loss on a pass in the backfield, Lombi tackled Smith for a loss of five, then Mariello threw incomplete, forcing a punt. After a false start penalty on Biddeford, junior Owen Sylvain kicked the ball away and the Tigers got their biggest break of the contest, as Lombi couldn’t field the ball cleanly and White recovered the fumble at the Deering 30.

Biddeford wasn’t able to take advantage of the gift, however.

After Smith caught a five-yard pass from Mariello, sophomore Julius Seares gained 14 on a reception to set up first down at the 11. Mariello then kept the ball for five yards and Edgerton ran for three down to the 3, but after a Mariello incompletion and a false start, Mariello was off target again and the Rams had dodged the bullet and got the ball back on downs at their 8.

Deering would drive into Biddeford territory by quarter’s end.

Foley finally got some running room and took off for 11 yards, then he gained three more. After Lombi ran for eight yards and a first down at the 30, Foley ran for five yards, then Lauture kept the ball for 14 more, moving the chains to the 49. Lauture then dropped to pass, but a blitz from Tigers junior Landon Sirois forced a fumble. Foley fell on the ball, but the play lost 16 yards. On third-and-21, Foley got 19 back, then on the final play of the stanza, Foley ran for five more and a first down at the Biddeford 38.

Foley gained six yards on the first play of the second period, but a holding penalty backed up the Rams, then Lauture threw incomplete and on third-and-14, Foley only gained three yards, forcing a punt, which resulted in a touchback.

Deering then got the ball right back, as Mariello threw deep over the middle and Lauture dove to intercept the pass at the Tigers’ 44.

After Foley picked up 11 yards, the Rams went backwards again, as a false start penalty cost them five yards, Lauture threw incomplete, Lombi was dropped for a loss of a yard and Worthley brought Foley down again for a loss of three, forcing a punt.

This time, Biddeford began at its 5 and immediately got out of trouble, as Mariello launched a pretty pass down the left sideline to Sylvain, who hauled it in for 40 yards. That’s as good as it would get, however, as Edgerton caught a pass which lost four yards (thanks to a nice defensive play from Rams sophomore Corbin Burke), then Mariello threw consecutive incompletions.

With 6:02 to go before halftime, Deering got the ball back at its 15 and immediately lost five yards due to a false start. Foley then ran for five yards and Lauture picked up 13 on a play that was stopped by an inadvertent whistle. After Foley picked up three, Lauture did the same, but on the tackle, he was shaken up and had to leave the game.

Lauture wouldn’t return and DiBiase came on.

DiBiase took a five-yard loss on his first snap and the Rams had to punt again.

The Tigers started at their 22 and Mariello immediately connected with Agosto for 13 yards, After two straight incompletions, one which was batted down by Lombi, Biddeford faced third-and-10 and sophomore Vinny Cavallaro nearly came away with an interception, but he couldn’t hold on.

On the ensuing punt, Foley broke free for 58 yards, getting a great block from Burke in the process, and with 2:13 on the clock, Deering was set up at the Tigers’ 7 and appeared primed to score at last.

But it wasn’t to be.

After Foley was dropped for a two-yard loss by White, Mariello threw DiBiase for a two-yard loss. DiBiase then threw incomplete to Lombi in the end zone and the Rams had to settle for a field goal attempt, but junior Christiano Silva’s 28-yard attempt was low and wide left.

Biddeford got one final first half try, starting at its 11 with just 58.5 seconds remaining, and began to march, as Mariello hit Agosto for 29 yards. After a one-yard Edgerton run, Mariello threw incomplete, but on third-and-9, he hit Agosto again, who made a contested catch at the Deering 33. After an incompletion, Mariello was dropped for a three-yard loss, then was picked off by sophomore Dom Bixler at the Rams’ 22.

After an incomplete pass, Foley ran for four yards and that brought the first half clock to zero, which was also the sum of points in the first 24 minutes.

Deering managed just 82 first half yards and was penalized four times for 35 yards. Foley gained 67 yards on 15 carries. The Tigers got 128 passing yards from Mariello, but he was intercepted twice.

Frustration would continue to be the theme for much of the second half.

Biddeford got the ball first and started at its 33. After Sylvain caught a Mariello pass for six yards, Mariello kept for one, but he then threw incomplete and the Tigers had to punt.

The Rams’ first possession of the third quarter saw them start at their 38 and they were called for a hold on the first snap. Bixler was then dropped by Worthley for a six-yard loss, Foley gained four yards, then DiBiase lost two, necessitating a punt.

Biddeford started its next drive at its 32 and after Mariello found Agosto for 11 yards on first down, he threw incomplete, Edgerton was dropped for a two-yard loss by Vinny Cavallaro before a one-yard Agosto reception on third-and-12 forced another punt.

Deering began at its 30 and began to march, as Foley gained five yards, then picked up 13 to the 48, but DiBiase lost two yards, DiBiase threw incomplete, then on third-and-12, senior Francisco Pagan broke through and held Foley to no gain.

With 3:55 to play in the quarter, the Tigers started at their 15 and after Mariello twice missed his target, he connected with Sylvain for 15 yards to the 30. Smith caught a pass for a yard, but senior Nevan Hanson held Edgerton to no gain, then Smith’s seven-yard catch on third-and-9 forced a punt.

Which is where Santino Cavallaro came up huge, getting a piece of the ball, allowing the Rams to start at the Biddeford 46 with 1:27 on the clock.

Four plays and 89 seconds later, Deering would find paydirt for the only time all night.

Foley got the Rams close with his best run of the night, a 39-yard burst up the gut, then down the left sideline. He got all the way to the 7 before being brought down from behind. After Santino Cavallaro gained three yards, Bixler did the same to get the ball to the 1 as the third quarter expired.

Then, finally, on the first play of the fourth period, the scoreless tie was broken.

Not by Foley, but by DiBiase, who kept the ball and pushed his way in for the 1-yard score.

“It was tough coming off the bench,” DiBiase said. “I’m ready for the challenge. I have to be. My mind got racing, but I had to find a way to come through. It was 0-0 and we had to put something up. I saw a hole to the right and took it in with everything I had.”

“They were in a goal line defense and I was nervous about what Jordan was comfortable running,” Scully said. “I think we’re a little bigger than they are and at the 1, I liked our chances with that play.”

The extra point was no good and a long 11 minutes and 58 seconds still remained.

Biddeford responded almost immediately as Agosto threatened to take the ensuing kickoff all the way. He was run down from behind by Foley, but a holding penalty brought the ball all the way back to the Tigers’ 26. After Edgerton ran for eight yards, Agosto caught a long pass from Mariello, good for 34 yards to the Deering 32. Edgerton then ran for seven yards before Mariello and Searles connected for 22 yards. Only a last-ditch diving tackle from senior Miles Hibbard prevented the score.

That tackle loomed huge, as Vinny Cavallaro dropped Smith for a three-yard loss and a Mariello pass into the end zone was broken up by Santino Cavallaro and sophomore Elijah Stewart. The Tigers still had another chance, but Mariello’s pass was snagged by Rubin right in front of the goal line and Rubin returned the interception to the 8 with 9:03 on the clock.

“That was unbelievable,” said Scully. “We lost (senior) Jack Caron last week. He’s one of the better linebackers I’ve seen. I told Archie he was going to play and for him to come in and to make a play like that in a big spot, hats off to him. He’s a great kid and a great player.”

Pinned at their 8, the Rams could do little, as Santino Cavallaro was held to no gain, Foley ran for four yards, then Bixler picked up four as well, forcing a punt.

With 7:13 to play, after a short kick, Biddeford had great field position, at the Deering, 31, but couldn’t capitalize.

After Stewart broke up another pass on first down, Smith caught a ball for six yards, but junior DeShawn Lamour sacked Mariello for a loss of four on third down, then on fourth, Mariello threw incomplete, with Burke knocking it down, to give Deering the ball back on downs at its 29 with 5:57 remaining.

The Rams weren’t able to milk much clock, however, as Worthley again got to Foley for a loss of three, Bixler ran for six yards, then DiBiase was sacked. After a delay of game penalty, Foley punted the ball away and with 3:58 to go, the Tigers took over for what proved to be their final opportunity at the Deering 43.

Where the Rams defense came up huge once again.

On first down, Mariello was sacked by both Lombi and Vinny Cavallaro for a two-yard loss. He then found Agosto for 16 yards and a first down at the 29, but a one-yard sack by Hanson set up second-and-11, then Mariello threw incomplete under pressure from Lombi, threw incomplete again, then he was off target once more to give Deering the ball at its 30 with 2:29 showing.

Biddeford had all three timeouts left, necessitating Deering to earn one first down to ice the victory.

Foley mustered back-to-back four-yard runs, then gained one, setting up fourth-and-1 at the 39.

After the Tigers’ final timeout with 2:08 remaining, all eyes were on Foley, but it would be DiBiase shocking everyone by keeping the ball and not only picking up the first down, but finding a hole and shooting through it before racing down the field. DiBiase was finally brought down at the Biddeford 15 for a gain of 46 on the biggest play of his young life.

“We just saw an opportunity to get a yard to ice the game, but I took it for (more),” DiBiase said. “It felt great.”

“When we needed to get first downs, we got first downs,” Foley said. “(Jordan) stepped up pretty well.”

“I was just thinking we were in full house, two tight ends and everybody in the backfield, and I felt like I knew how they’d line up, so I told Jordan to step out and put his head down,” Scully added. “Our offensive tackles, who are big kids, we put them at guard and told them to plow the guys out of the way. We weren’t planning on such a long run, but it worked out great for us.”

Foley then ran for five yards before taking a two-yard loss on what proved to be the final play of the game.

At 8:05 p.m., the final horn sounded and Deering celebrated its 6-0 victory.

“We just stayed disciplined the whole game,” Foley said. “We played our hearts out and we didn’t give up. I knew it would come eventually. We just stayed prepared.”

“This feels amazing,” said DiBiase. “There’s not much more to say.”

“I’m pleasantly surprised and I’m really excited for the kids,” Scully added. “The school is excited about this. The kids are excited. They believe in themselves. That’s been hard to come by around here. It’s great for us to have some success. The kids know when things get tough they can still be successful. We can hang our hat on our defense and plug away. Sooner or later, one of our skilled offensive players will make a play. We had a setback when our quarterback went down. In retrospect, Jordan hadn’t gotten enough reps in practice. That’s something for me to work on. He came through, the kids rallied around him and our defense has given up 13 points in three games. They did a great job. The philosophy of our defense is to bend but not break and make a team drive 80 yards and it’s been working out so far. ”

Deering wound up with 190 yards of offense, overcame one turnover and seven penalties for 52 yards.

Foley paced the offense with 145 yards on 27 carries.

Lauture ran for 44 yards on five attempts and was 0-of-3 passing before having to leave the game.

DiBiase gained 36 yards and scored the game’s lone touchdown on six rushes. He was 0-for-3 passing.

Biddeford finished with 246 yards of offense. The Tigers were only flagged twice for 10 yards, but turned the ball over three times.

Mariello went 19-of-41 through the air, good for 247 yards and three interceptions.

Agosto caught eight passes for 127 yards.

Smith had five receptions for 27 yards.

Sylvain had three catches for 61 yards.

Searles caught two balls for 36 yards.

“The guys improved tremendously against a really good football team so I’m proud of them,” said Biddeford coach Steve Allosso. “It’s that ‘oomph’ factor, I call it. We’re inexperienced and kind of young and we’re still learning that ‘oompf.’ We played a full football game. We didn’t do that the first two games.”

No end in sight

Biddeford will try again for its first win next Friday at Noble (2-1).

“We have stuff we can build on,” said Allosso. “We have to stay healthy. We just want to get in (to the playoffs).”

Deering hopes to keep the good times rolling next Friday when it gets its biggest test yet, going to Kennebunk (3-0).

“We’re having a great time,” DiBiase said. “Winning is a lot more fun than losing.”

“We have to keep our heads up,” Foley said. “We’re battling injuries, but we have replacements who are good.”

“We’ll find out where we’re at next week,” Scully added. “This has all been fun, but in terms of best teams in the league, you’d probably have to say Kennebunk is that. We’ll have our hands full. It’s going to be a big week for us.”