SOUTH PARIS – It took a while for the Biddeford Tiger offense to warm up Friday night. Looking up at the scoreboard late in the first half, Biddeford coach Brian Curit saw his team ahead 14-6 with the momentum beginnning to swing in favor of host Oxford Hills.

The Tigers used their senior connection of quarterback James Morin and wideout Chris Gagne to set up a score just before halftime. It was then up to their defense to turn up the heat in the second half to pull away for a 44-6 victory.

With just over one minute remaining in the first half, the Tiger offense took over at the Viking’s 36-yard line. A quick 10-yard pass to Gagne picked up a first down to the 26. On the next play, Morin dropped back and double pumped as Gagne ran a hook-and-go down the left sideline. Morin hurled the pass toward the corner. Gagne made a spectacular, leaping grab with Viking defensive back Chris Jennings draped all over him and came down at the 2. Ben Grant-Roy culmininated the scoring drive with his second-short touchdown run.

“I have all the confidence in the world with Chris,” said Morin. “He’s one of the best receivers in the state. I knew if I threw a perfect pass he’d come down with it and he did.”

The Tigers dominated the third quarter.

Oxford Hills (0-2), playing without starting tailback Jim Bower, struggled to run the ball. Biddeford (2-0) limited Bower’s replacements to just 22 yards on 20 rushes.

On the second possession of the third quarter, the Tigers forced a punt from deep inside Viking territory. Ryan Nolette stormed into the backfield and blocked the kick by Alex Waite. Zac Wentworth collected the ball and ran 11 yards for the score to put the Tigers up 29-6.

On the ensuing series, Jordan Fields sacked Ryerson and the Tigers pass rush batted a pass away.

Matt Foricer returned Waite’s next punt 18 yards to the Viking 14. Two plays later, Morin kept the ball himself for a 12-yard score.

“We were still on our laurels from last week,” said Curit, referring to Biddeford’s season-opening win over Portland. “Sometimes we do that. I was unhappy about the first half, but I was pleased with how we came out in the second.”

Biddeford used a short touchdown by Grant-Roy and a Morin 5-yard run to lead 14-0.

Midway through the second quarter, Ryerson flared a pass to Magoon on the right side. Magoon slipped through the tackle of the Biddeford cornerback and zipped 54 yards to the end zone. That score pulled the Vikings within six.

Unfortunately for the Vikings, Ryerson to Magoon was the only offense they could muster.

“They’re talented kids and good things happened at times,” said Oxford Hills coach Paul Bickford of the Ryerson to Magoon connection.

“Biddeford’s a very good football team,” said Bickford. “They do a lot of things well. They’re a high-pressure blitzing team and we had some breakdowns in the second half.”