2 weeks Ago
STANDISH — It was classic Bonny Eagle football. Protecting a lead late in the game, the Scots dug deep and turned away the Portland Bulldogs three times in the fourth quarter to preserve a 14-8 victory over the No. 1 team in the Varsity Maine top 10.
“I couldn’t be more proud of my guys,” said longtime Bonny Eagle Coach Kevin Cooper. “Our guys really had to dig deep and it didn’t look good, but somehow we found a way.” The Scots, who lost their season opener at Lewiston, improved to 2-1.
Portland (2-1) nearly erased an early two-touchdown deficit, but a fumble on the brink of the end zone and two failures to convert fourth downs foiled the comeback bid by the reigning Class A North champion. “At the end of the day, what it comes down to is we had uncharacteristic turnovers and couldn’t convert fourth downs,” said Bulldogs Coach Sean Green. “We just didn’t make the plays.
We tell the guys it’s about us, and we didn’t do what we needed to do tonight.” Bonny Eagle drove right down the field to start the contest, marching 62 yards in 11 plays. The Scots took a 7-0 lead on a 2-yard run from Connor Johnson (17 carries, 153 yards).
After forcing a three-and-out, the Scots struck again, as quarterback Colin Moran broke away on third-and-9, racing 51 yards to the end zone. When the Scots held Aidan McGowan to no gain on fourth-and-1 from the Portland 39, they had a chance to increase their cushion, but Louis Thurston picked off a Moran pass. Then, as the first quarter gave way to the second, Portland drove 66 yards on five plays.
Thurston, Portland’s quarterback, rolled right and hit Cordell Jones in the near corner of the end zone for a 7-yard score. After Bonny Eagle jumped offsides on the extra point, the Bulldogs went for 2, and Jones scored to cut the deficit to 14-8. Portland’s best chance to take the lead came on a 13-play march that chewed up the final 6:14 of the third quarter and carried into the fourth.
On first-and-10 play from the Bonny Eagle 16, Jones ran for 9 yards but fumbled while fighting for extra yardage, and Caden Cooper recovered. The Bulldogs got the ball back at the Bonny Eagle 40 after a punt drove to the 13, but McGowan was held to no gain by senior captain Jayden Doughty on third-and-3, then Doughty stuffed Thurston for a 1-yard loss on fourth down. “We persevered through the adversity,” said Doughty.
“I was so fired up. I had to dig really deep. It wasn’t just me.
This whole team gave it our all.” Portland’s final opportunity came with just over two minutes to play when it started from the Scots’ 48 after a short punt. Jones ran for 3 yards, and Thurston threw incomplete three times.
Bonny Eagle then ran out the clock and celebrated its victory, knowing an even bigger test looms next Saturday – a trip to defending state champion Thornton Academy. “Our goal is to be at our best in November,” Kevin Cooper said. “We’re getting close.
We have to get a lot better. We want to keep growing together.” We invite you to add your comments.
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