BUCKSPORT- It was the Will Francis show for Orono High School on Friday night. Francis caught seven passes from quarterback Jack Brewer, with all seven of those going for touchdowns in leading the #5 Red Riots to a 51-46 small school 8-man football quarterfinal win over the #4 Bucksport Golden Bucks at Carmichael Field.
In what was a back and forth first half, Bucksport got two short touchdown runs from Kamryn Webber and a 25 yard TD pass from Ayden McGuire to Evan Trojano. Orono though with their big play offense and the emergence of Francis allowed them to take the lead at the break. Francis had scoring receptions of 29, 69, and then the final one of the opening 24 minutes of 41 yards with 15 seconds left in the second quarter for a 23-22 advantage at halftime.
It continued to go back and forth in the second half as Webber broke lose four minutes into the third quarter for a 61 yard touchdown run to put Bucksport back in front 30-23. The Bucks couldn’t slow down Francis however, as it took Orono just 41 seconds and two plays to get back within a point. A 17 yard run by Ben Francis, then a 40 yard bomb by Brewer to Will Francis cut it to 30-29 after the two-point conversion pass failed. The guests took a 37-30 lead into the fourth quarter on the fifth scoring reception by Francis of 22 yards. Webber put the home team back ahead for the final time 38-37 with a one yard run with 10:35 left, and McGuire converting the two-point pass. Again Orono would use their quick strike offense as it took just one minute off the clock to jump back in front for good. Francis went up and grabbed a pass from Brewer away from the secondary at about the Bucksport 30 yard line, and got a block while outracing defenders into the endzone for a 39 yard touchdown. He would then cap off his huge night with a highlight reel, one handed 11 yard scoring reception in the back of the endzone with 3:30 to go that was the eventual game winner that made it 51-38. McGuire scored on a four yard QB keeper and again they converted the two-points to slice it to five for the Bucks with 2:41 remaining. They would then attempt an onside kick that was recovered by the Red Riots, but Orono went three and out giving Bucksport one more chance with the ball with just over two minutes on the clock. The guests wrapped up the road playoff win when Pierce Walston intercepted McGuire on the third play of the possession.
Brewer finished the night 15-20 passing for 303 yards with seven touchdowns. Will Francis had a final line of seven receptions, 251 yards, with all seven of his teams scores. Ben Francis would carry 17 times for 152 yards. Orono (5-3) would get redemption and move on in the playoffs after a 36-15 loss to Bucksport during the regular season. McGuire went 24-36 passing for 243 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the loss for the Golden Bucks. He added 11 runs for 61 yards and a touchdown. Webber had 24 rush attempts for 165 yards and four touchdowns, while Gavyn Holyoke had 14 receptions for 115 yards. Bucksport finishes the season at 4-4. The Red Riots head to Dexter next Saturday afternoon to play the defending state champion and 7-0 Tigers in the semifinal round. Dexter slipped past Orono 38-34 in their regular season meeting.
