The Cougars accepted the challenge several times in the second half and delivered a message each ocassion.

Tyler Frost broke loose for a 30-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Dylan Kidder recovered a fumble on the goal line and Brett Beauschesne ran for a 1-yard score, with less than two minutes to play.

The defense was led by end Kaine Hutchins, who intercepted two passes, along with tackle Jack Brown and linebackers Joe Casey and Frost— who bottled up the OOB running attack.

”We came out fired up in the second half,” Brown said. “That was a big difference because we usually start out flat. Then in the fourth quarter we really stepped it up defensively.

Dirigo (4-2) has won three straight games and was really tested against Old Orchard Beach, which had upset Oak Hill last Friday. This game has serious playoff implications.

Dirigo kicked off to OOB and a 45-yard run by Joe Gildard set the Seagulls in the red zone. But the defense held, thanks to Hutchins’ interception and then Gavin Arsenault picked off OOB quarterback Bryan Roberts (4 of 12 for 53 yards, three interceptions)

In the second quarter, Frost forced a fumble and recovered it. Following three running plays, Frost (79 yards, 13 carries) burst through the line and ran for a score. Frost also kicked the point after for a 7-0 lead. 

“Before the game (assistant) Scott Holmes gave the team a pep talk,” Dirigo coach Dave Crutchfield said. “He talked about ‘me’ meaning I  have to do my job. Old Orchard Beach (3-3) is a very good defensive team.”

The Seagulls had trouble running against the Cougars’ front seven. Gildard finished with 47 yards on 15 carries. Roberts was the leading rusher with 55 yards.

“We just couldn’t get outside against them,” Old Orchard Beach coach Dean Plante said.

Beauschesne (61 yards, 19 carries) followed blocks by Frost and Hutchins to score on a 1-yard run.

“Hutchins was great defensively and Frost was unstoppable.” Crutchfield said. “But, we still need to keep improving.”

OOB drove down and Roberts passed to Tyler Scott for a TD, but it was nulified by an illegal procedure call.

“We needed to prevent them from running outside,” Hutchins said. “The outside backers, like Joe Casey, did a good job. We also got fired up and inspiration when quarterback Riley Robinson was hit hard going out of bounds. We don’t like to see him get hit.”