ORONO– For the Leavitt Hornets to win a state championship, they needed to come back from two score deficits in each half. The Hornets did just that to capture the Class C title with a 30-24 win over MCI at the University of Maine on Friday night.
The Huskies started quick when they recovered an unplanned onsides kick. Ryan Friend threw two touchdown passes in the first 3:50 of the contest to help MCI jump out to a 12-0 lead.
Leavitt got a three yard touchdown run from DeSean Calder and a two point conversion to cut the Huskies lead to 12-8. After the score, the Hornets defense forced a three and out capped off by a sack from Cam Jordan.
On the next offensive possession Leavitt held the ball for 15 plays and over seven minutes. That drive was capped off by a Wyatt Hathaway seven yard touchdown pass to Jordan that gave Leavitt there first lead at 14-12 with 6:30 left in the first half.
Friend kept working magic with his arm. He connected for his third touchdown pass this time a 31 yard connection to Nason Berthelette. That gave MCI an 18-14 advantage at the half.
Isaac Bussell gave the Huskies a 24-14 lead when he scored from 13 yards out with 9:41 left in the third quarter. The Hornets capped off another long drive with a touchdown. This time it was a 12 play drive and it was a four yard run from Calder. The two point play was also good courtesy of Calder.
The Hornets defense sparked by Jordan held the high powered Huskies scoreless the rest of the way. That gave Hathaway an opportunity to work some magic of his own. The junior quarterback scored on a 19 yard run that gave Leavitt a lead they wouldn’t give back.
The Hornets came up with two big interceptions in the final minutes. The first one was from Mark Herman. Hathaway sealed the victory when he picked off a pass on a fourth down play with just over a minute left.
It is the first time since 2013 that Leavitt (12-0) has won a football state title. Calder finished with 112 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries. Calder also converted two big two point plays. Hathaway rushed for 69 yards and threw for 38.
Friend threw for 228 yards and three touchdowns on 11-19 passing for the Huskies. Will Russell had 96 yards and one touchdown on five catches. Dominic Wilson also had a touchdown reception. MCI finishes the season with a record of 9-3.
