By Kevin Mills,Staff Writer

OLD ORCHARD BEACH – Dean Plante had no qualms about kicking the extra point Friday night despite the driving rain and sloppy conditions.

Even when a penalty pushed his Old Orchard Beach football team back five yards, Plante didn’t hesitate.

Did he have Adam Vinatieri waiting in the wings for his Seagulls? No, but he did have George Weibezahl.

The senior exchange student kicked the game-winning conversion from 27 yards out to lift OOB to a 31-30 victory over Livermore Falls.

“After the penalty, we had no doubt,” said Plante. “He’s been solid all year. I don’t think he’s missed one all year on a good snap. He was on target.”

OOB took the lead with 3:50 left in regulation. The Andies moved the ball next to the 25 and had 1:09 left but couldn’t get closer. Two incomplete passes and a fumble nixed the Andies’ comeback hopes.

“We didn’t get down far enough,” said Livermore Falls coach Brad Bishop, whose team was plagued by two interceptions and 65 yards in penalties. “We were hoping to try a field goal. Strange things happened tonight. That’s all. I wish the kids could have decided the game. That’s all I’m going to say.”

The win was crucial for Old Orchard Beach (5-2) to hold a Western C playoff spot. Livermore Falls (3-4) was on their heels and needed a win over the Seagulls.

“This is huge,” said Plante. “We’re fourth in the Crabtree Points, and they were fifth. Every game is a playoff game, and our kids need that atmosphere. That was a great test for us. Our kids answering the way they did, I think the kids got some confidence.”

OOB had built a 10-point lead late in the third quarter, thanks to a 25-yard field goal by Weibezahl with 45 seconds left.

Livermore answered right back with two Ryan Webster touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Webster totalled 230 yards on 25 carries and had four touchdowns.

After the Andies took a 30-24 lead, OOB drove 60 yards and got a 4-yard keeper from quarterback Mike Perrone with 3:50 left. A procedure penalty on the conversion backed OOB up further, but Weibezahl drilled the kick down the middle and had plenty of distance to spare.

“For us to respond the way that we did, that was a great drive,” said Plante. “That’s what playoff teams do.”

OOB had a 21-14 lead at the half thanks to a Dustin Bouchard 65-yard interception return with 2:34 left in the second quarter. The Seagulls added to the lead with a lengthy drive in the third quarter that ended with Weibezahl’s field goal with 45 seconds left.

The Andies used just four plays to get within 24-22 with 11:08 left in the game. Webster broke numerous tackles in a 52-yard run. After a Perrone fumble was recovered by Rory Young, the Andies turned that into a 30-24 lead. Webster took it in from the 1 with 6:39 left.

Webster had scoring runs from one and four yards out in the first half. Kyle Murphy had a pair of touchdowns for OOB to tie it at 14-14 before Bouchard’s interception return.