Old Orchard Beach dominated the second half on Thursday night, getting a game winning touchdown pass from Matthew Charron to Daniel Cashman in the third quarter to knock off Old Town 22-12 in a battle of 8-man large school/small school football contenders at Victory Field.
The Coyotes had one lead and opened up the scoring in the second quarter. Charlie Degrasse had a 17-yard run and Ethan Closson connected with Brandon Schanz on a 13-yard pass on third down to set it up. Degrasse finished the eight minute, 71 yard drive with a 7-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion was no good. The Gulls responded by going 68 yards to tie the score. Brayden Koelker had the keys with a 15-yard run and a 10-yard reception, before Daniel Cashman found pay dirt on a 14-yard run. The OOB two-point attempt was also no good. Old Town did drive again with about one minute left in the quarter to the OOB 40, but Cooper Gallant picked off Closson to send it to halftime at 6-6.
The Coyotes went three and out with their first possession of the second half, forcing a punt for the first time on the night. The Gulls started back at their own 13 yard line, and would go 16 plays that covered 87 yards to take over the lead for good. On 4th down and 2 at the Old Town 10, Charron found Cashman over the middle for the score. Charron also ran in the two-point conversion to make it 14-6. The hosts responded one final time to begin the fourth quarter, when they picked up a 1st down when Old Orchard went offsides on 4th and short. The error led to a 35-yard touchdown run by Closson two plays later. Closson couldn’t convert the two-point run to tie it however, as it remained 14-12. The Gulls then marched 79 yards on 12 plays, chewing up over 6:30 off the clock. Koelker capped it on a 5-yard TD run, and Charron ran in the two-point conversion after they were backed up to the 8 following a penalty to make it a two score game. OOB sealed it to remain unbeaten with an interception of Closson as Old Town was driving over midfield which ended up being their final possession for the Coyotes. The total yards in the second half favored Old Orchard quite handily almost three to one (180-63).
Both teams are back in action next Friday night, October 2nd as Old Orchard Beach (4-0) plays at Boothbay and Old Town (3-1) travels to play Houlton.
Photo courtesy of Libby Moores Gallant
