Fryeburg Academy took advantage of three big plays on special teams to earn a 34-15 win over Cheverus in a Class C South football semifinal Friday night in Fryeburg.
Fryeburg grabbed a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter on an 8-yard run by Gunnar Saunders, then broke it open with two touchdowns just 13 seconds apart midway through the second quarter. One play after a blocked punt by Anton Kravchuk, Saunders scored on a 15-yard run. Fryeburg then recovered a muffed kickoff, and Cohen Carter immediately threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Freddie Francis for a 21-0 lead.
Cheverus cut into the deficit with a long drive in the third quarter, capped by quarterback Giovanni St. Onge’s 4-yard run. But Logan Walton returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown that made it 28-6.
Saunders added a 5-yard TD run in the fourth quarter. Elijah Timlin of Cheverus scored the final touchdown on a 22-yard run, and the Stags got a safety on a bad punt snap with 2 seconds left.
The Raiders will play for the regional title next weekend against Leavitt or Cape Elizabeth.
GIRLS’ SOCCER
NORTH YARMOUTH ACADEMY 5, HALL-DALE 2: Lyla Casey scored three goals and the top-seeded Panthers (12-1-3) beat the fourth-seeded Bulldogs (11-5) in a Class C South girls’ soccer semifinal in Yarmouth.
NYA, which moved up to Class C this year after winning the last four Class D state championships, will meet Waynflete in the regional final at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Lewiston High. The teams split their two regular-season matchups, which were both decided by one goal.
Casey scored the first two goals, and Jordan Nash added her first varsity goal just before halftime for a 3-0 lead.
The Bulldogs got a goal from Hayden Madore early in the second half, but Natasha Godfrey answered for NYA before Casey completed her hat trick.
Hall-Dale’s Marie Benoit accounted for the final goal with a late penalty kick.
ELLSWORTH 2, MEDOMAK VALLEY 1: Kelsie Lambert scored on a deflection off the goalkeeper midway through the second half, lifting the third-seeded Eagles (13-2-1) over the second-seeded Panthers (11-3-2) in a Class B North semifinal in Waldoboro.
Ellsworth’s Miah Coffin opened the scoring early in the second half. Scartlett Flint chipped in the tying goal on a breakaway.
Ellsworth advances to face fourth-seeded Hermon, the defending regional champion, at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Hampden Academy.
BOYS’ SOCCER
LEWISTON 2, EDWARD LITTLE 1: Abdimalik Nur broke a tie midway through the second half, and the top-seeded Blue Devils (13-2-1) beat the No. 5 Red Eddies (11-5) in a Class A North semifinal in Lewiston.
The Blue Devils will play for the regional title on their home field at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday against No. 2 Camden Hills, a 3-0 winner over sixth-seeded Brewer.
Tegre Mbele gave Lewiston a 1-0 lead in the first half. Dayow Daud answered for Edward Little before halftime.
MT. ABRAM 3, WAYNFLETE 0: Sam Cockerham broke a scoreless deadlock in the first minute of the second half, starting the top-seeded Roadrunners (16-0) on their way to a Class C South semifinal win over the No. 4 Flyers (8-6-2) in Salem.
Payton Mitchell set up Cockerham’s goal and later made it 2-0 before an own goal capped the scoring.
Mt. Abram, which avenged losses to Waynflete in the last two regional finals, will seek its first regional title Wednesday against second-seeded Traip Academy.
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