In the 108th meeting between the two schools on the gridiron, the Bangor Rams rallied from a 21-7 first quarter deficit and beat the Brewer Witches 42-21 in the season opener for both teams at Cameron Stadium in Bangor on Friday night.
After Bangor (1-0) went three and out in their first possession, a poor punt from their own territory only netted three yards and gave visiting Brewer a good starting spot for their first drive. The drive was capped by a 15 yard touchdown run by Logan Levensalor to make it 7-0 Witches. A good kickoff return set the Rams up at their own 42, and then on just one play and 15 seconds after the Brewer touchdown Jonny Lyon took a handoff and went 58 yards for a touchdown to tie the score 7-7.
Kaleb Bryant gave the lead right back to Brewer just 2:34 later scoring on an 11 yard run to make it 14-7. The senior had set it up the Witches at midfield with a 43 yard kickoff return. A fumble by the Rams on their own half of the field would lead to yet another Bryant touchdown. The nine yard scamper made it 21-7 Witches. Bangor quarterback Max Clark would connect with Keegan Cyr for a four yard passing play for a score on the last play of the first quarter to cut it to 21-14. Early in the second quarter Eli Bradford intercepted a Witches pass by Justin Nutter. Bangor couldn’t take advantage though as Joey Morrison fumbled for the Rams on the next play. Late in the second though the hosts got even. Cyr took a wide receiver reverse run and found his way into the endzone from 10 yards out and the score was tied 21-21 at halftime.
Bangor took their first lead of the game just over six minutes into the third quarter when Lyon scored his second touchdown of the game on a short one yard run. Lyon had set it up on a 22 yard reception from Clark the play before. Brewer (0-1) had their offense slowed after the opening 21 point quarter, as the Bangor defensive line made it harder going in the trenches. The Witches had rushed for over 100 yards in the first quarter, but finished with just over 100 in the final 36 minutes of play. The Rams put it away in the fourth on what looked to be a change of momentum forced by the Witches. Bangor lined up for a short 21 yard field goal with just under nine minutes to play, but Brewer blocked it. In the scramble for the live ball Bangors Cyr was able to pick it up at the three yard line and take in the endzone for a touchdown to make it 35-21. The Rams sophomore Morrison finished the scoring as he busted up the middle and pulled away from the Brewer defense and went 69 yards for a Bangor touchdown with 2:30 left. Bangor now owns a 74-26-8 advantage all time over Brewer in the series.
The Brewer quarterback Nutter went 3-5 passing, 46 yards, and an interception. Cody Graves rushed 14 times for 67 yards, while Anthony Chiappone (27-63), and Bryant (12-65) were the offensive leaders. Bryant had the two first half touchdowns. Bryant also added 36 yards receiving out of the 46 on the night for the visitors. Lyon finished with 10 carries for 119 yards and two touchdowns to lead Bangor. He also added a 22 yard reception. Morrison had two big carries of 22 yards and 69 and the one late score, also adding a 33 yard reception. Clark went 9-16 passing, 127 yards, and a touchdown. Cyr led the receivers with four catches for 49 yards and a rushing score as well as a touchdown on the blocked field goal by the Witches.
Brewer quarterback Justin Nutter flips the ball to running back Anthony Chiappone during fourth quarter action at Cameron Stadium in Bangor on Friday, Sept 6, 2019. Bangor won the game 42-21. Photo by Chris Lessner
Both teams are back at it next Friday night. Brewer hosts Gardiner at 7 p.m., while Bangor travels to Lewiston for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
BRE (0-1) 21 0 0 0- 21
BAN (1-0) 14 7 7 14- 42
Total yards- Brewer 270 Bangor 377
Turnovers- Brewer 2 Bangor 2
