Senior Day at Dexter
DEXTER— Bryce Connor dominated on both sides of the ball to lead Dexter to a 38-30 win over Bucksport in a regular season high school football finale for both teams on Saturday afternoon.
Connor rushed for 274 yards and three touchdowns on 18 rushes, and threw for 162 yards and two touchdowns. If that wasn’t enough he was involved in all four turnovers by the Bucks. Connor had one interception, one fumble recovery, and forced two fumbles.
The game started with the Bucks getting down the field and into the red zone. The drive was halted with a bad snap, followed by a Tigers sack from Zakary Adams. Dexter didn’t take long to get on the scoreboard on their third offensive play, as Connor got into the end zone from 57 yards out. He also converted the two point play to give Tigers an 8-0 lead with 8:18 left in the first quarter.
On the Tigers next possession they got the ball at midfield. Six plays later, Connor scored from three yards out. The big play on the drive came on a 35 yard pass from Connor to Kayden Kimball. Kamryn Webber finished off a seven play Bucks drive with a three yard touchdown run with 32 seconds left in the first quarter to cut the deficit to 14-6.
Ayden Maguire would even up the score when he scored from 54 yards and converted the two point play with 8:56 remaining in the first half. Dexter would take a lead with 1:33 remaining in the quarter when Connor connected with Will Spratt on a 16 yard touchdown. Connor and Kimball again set up the score, this time on a 38 yard pass play.
The Tigers held the 20-14 halftime lead despite Bucksport holding an advantage of 269-235 in total yards in the first 24 minutes of play. Big defensive plays by Adams, Connor, Cole Tibbets, Beau Talbot were among those that made big plays that helped Dexter hold that lead despite Maguire having 193 total yards (passing and rushing) in the first half. Connor countered with 217 yards and three touchdowns (passing and rushing).
Bryce Connor and Kayden Kimball
Connor wasn’t close to being done, he ran in from 58 yards out with 3:55 remaining in the third quarter. The Bucks responded just 2:54 later when Maguire threw it to Connor Fitch for a 14 yard score. Maguire converted the two point play to cut the deficit to 26-22 with 2:01 remaining in the period.
With the Bucks threatening to take a lead, Connor came up big on the defensive end. He forced a fumble that Adams scooped up. Dexter quickly took advantage when Gage Beaudry had a two yard score to make it 32-22. Connor would force another fumble that Talbot picked up to give the Tigers the ball in great field position. Connor would score from 36 yards to give Dexter a 38-22 lead with 3:14 left on the clock.
Bucksport continued to battle as Maguire threw a four yard touchdown to Evan Trojano, and Maguire ran in the two point play to make it a one score (38-30) game with 33 seconds left. Dexter secured the win when they recovered the onside kick.
Spratt (68 yards on 4 receptions) and Kimball (97 yards on 3 receptions) combined for 165 yards receiving. Spratt had two touchdowns. Dexter (7-0) will enter the 8 man small school division as the top seed. The Tigers will host St. John’s Valley in a quarterfinal game next weekend.
Maguire finished with 226 yards and two touchdowns on 15-26 passing for the Bucks. Maguire also rushed for 89 yards and one touchdown on nine rushes. Webber had 110 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries. Fitch had 98 yards and one touchdown on five receptions. Gavyn Holyoke had 59 yards on two catches in the second half. Bucksport (4-3) still could finish anywhere from third through fifth in the final standings. Check EasternMaineSports.com for schedule updates.
Dexter Coach Andrew Levensalor
