DEXTER— You can win or lose a game with your special teams. The Maine Central Institute (MCI) Huskies defeated Dexter 36-2 on Saturday afternoon in large part because of their special teams play.
Josh Buker and Pedro Matos each returned a punt for a touchdown, while Buker and the Huskies converted an onside kick early in the second half.
The Tigers were not able to take advantage of two MCI turnovers in the first quarter, as the game remained scoreless through the first 12 minutes. Dexter took a lead when they recorded a safety when the ball was snapped over Buker’s head and the Tigers jumped on him in the end zone with 9:51 remaining in the second quarter.
After the safety, Dexter went three and out and needed to punt the ball to the Huskies. Matos took the kick and handed off to Buker who took the ball 75 yards into the end zone. MCI converted the two point conversion to take an 8-2 lead with 7:27 left in the first half.
The teams swapped turnovers early in the second half, with neither able to take advantage. The first score of the half came when Matos took a punt 57 yards for a touchdown. Eli Bussell converted the two point conversion to give MCI a 16-2 lead.
After the score, Buker placed a perfect onside kick that was jumped on by Adam Bertrand. Just two plays later, Buker rushed into the end zone for a 25 yard touchdown. Devon Varney made the extra point to make it 23-2 with 7:18 remaining in the third quarter.
The Huskies forced a turnover when Buker grabbed an interception with 3:12 remaining in the third quarter. MCI turned the turnover into points when Bertrand scooted into the end zone from seven yards away.
Blake Frost capped off the scoring with a 22 yard touchdown run. MCI (6-0) will host Orono next week in another clash between LTC undefeated teams.
Dexter (5-1) will travel to Mount View next week. Here are all the week 6 updates.
