WESTBROOK – Down 7-0, the Westbrook Blue Blazes drove 55 yards in the second quarter, down to the Cheverus 15.
But then the Stags stopped the Blazes, and before Westbrook could get another first down in the game, Cheverus scored on its next four possessions as it took a 35-0 win Friday night.
Evan Jendrasko rushed for 144 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries. Quarterback Peter Gwilym rushed for 69 yards and three touchdowns on six carries, while completing 5 of 5 passes for 61 yards.
Still, the Blue Blazes, with tailback Manny Vincent (54 yards on 14 carries) stayed close for a while.
“We moved the ball at times,” Westbrook Coach Jeff Guerette said. “But when you play a really good team like Cheverus, the margin of error is really small. We didn’t execute as well as we’d like.”
Westbrook (2-4) saw its winning streak stopped at two, while the Stags (6-0) move on to a pair of season-ending home games — unbeaten Bonny Eagle next Saturday and Deering (5-1) after that.
But Cheverus was not caught looking ahead, rushing for 275 with its starters for the three quarters, while recording its third shutout this year.
“We played with good maturity,” said Stags Coach John Wolfgram. “That’s not a bad offense over there (at Westbrook). I was impressed with our defensive movement.”
Cheverus swarmed on defense. If Vincent or fullback Trevor Bates (30 yards on nine carries) broke free, more Stags were on the way for the tackle.
On Westbrook’s big drive in the second quarter, Vincent got the ball on third-and-5 and was stopped for a 4-yard loss by A.J. Bennett and Liam Hobbins. Vincent gained six yards on fourth down, and the Stags took over.
“Trevor Bates and Manny are great athletes,” Stags linebacker Zach Dulac said. “We just flow to the ball, swarm and gang tackle.” Defensive tackle Mike Dedian was also in on his share of tackles.
Tailback Spencer Cook added 66 yards on 14 carries.
A third-down, 11-yard Gwilym pass to Liam Fitzpatrick keyed the first drive, finished by Jendrasko’s 9-yard run. Gwilym also hit tight end Jack Bushey for three completions for 44 yards.
Cheverus’ line opened big holes, as Gwilym scored from 16 yards out, then Jendrasko from 44 yards. Gwilym’s 16-yard run capped the first-half scoring.
Cheverus took the second half kick-off and drove 68 yards, finished by Gwilym’s 15-yard run.
After the game, when Wolfgram finished his postgame speech, the Stags broke their huddle with three words: “Beat Bonny Eagle.”
Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at: kthomas@pressherald.com
Send questions/comments to the editors.
