As much as they would probably like to forget squandering a 21-0 halftime lead, the Lewiston coaching staff has spent the last week breaking down tape of the crushing 28-27 loss to Bangor back on Oct. 5 to glean whatever it can in preparation for tonight’s highly-anticipated rematch in the Pine Tree Conference semifinals.

“I think I’ve watched that film more than any other scout film,” Lewiston coach Bill County said Thursday prior to his team’s final practice for tonight’s game (7, Cameron Stadium). “We got a little conservative in the second half, hoping to run the clock down. When we opened up the offense a little bit in the first half, we were more productive.”

“I think we’re going to take lessons from that first game,” he added. “Certainly, I don’t think you can look at that film and think that any one team was dominant over the other. We kind of traded momentum back and forth.”

For all intents and purposes, the third-seeded Blue Devils (8-1) had home-field advantage for this game stolen by the second-seeded Rams (8-1) that night. They seemed to have the game in hand when Wesley Myers ran for two touchdowns and Matt Letourneau added another to give the Devils a 21-0 cushion at the half. But they went into their shell in the second half and Bangor took advantage behind Ian Edwards rushing touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime. Renaud Collard-Seguin stopped Myers’ a yard short of the goal-line on a potential game-winning two-point conversion, and Bangor coach Mark Hackett couldn’t help but feel like a burglar sneaking out of town with a critical win.

“We’ve beaten them a couple of times when they’ve actually beaten the crap out of us, but we’ve managed to outscore them,” Hackett said. “Sometimes we’ll have a weird bounce and manage to win a game that really we have no business winning. I always think it comes down to one point, one touchdown, one fumble, one interception, that’s what it always ends up being. I love playing Lewiston.”

Bangor has won the last three meetings between the two teams by a total of 15 points, including a 14-7 victory in last year’s semifinals.

“I’d like to think we’re probably not going to start out as poorly as we did the last time. Our kids know how good they are,” Hackett said. “It’s pretty easy to hold their attention when you’re preparing for (Lewiston).”

While he had their attention, Hackett reminded his players of Lewiston’s offensive balance and unpredictability.

“There are very few tendencies, so you have to outplay them,” he said. “The kids have to play every aspect of the game.”

One aspect that the Rams will be focusing on is Lewiston’s running game. Speedy Wesley Myers was the leading rusher in the Pine Tree Conference this year and was a workhorse the last time out against Bangor, carrying the ball 37 times for 166 yards.

While the Rams couldn’t completely simulate Myers’ explosiveness in practice, Hackett did have his cousin’s son, Lonnie Hackett, a speedy sophomore, acting as him.

“He’s not as quick, but at least we can get somewhat of a look,” he said. “It took us a half to figure out how fast, quick and very, very strong Myers is.”

Fullback Matt Letourneau (20 rushes, 116 yards against the Rams) provides the inside power game to complement Myers, and Lewiston is capable of big plays through the air with QB Mason Giroux and top receiver Alf Brooks.

Bangor’s offense is averaging just under 42 points per game this season with Edwards calling the signals. The senior not only rushed for three scores but also threw for 112 yards last time against the Devils.

“Their skill kids are talented. They’re a good bunch,” County said. “The one who really hurt us was Edwards. But (running back Kyle) Vanidestine probably does everything for them. We’ll try to get them to do things they don’t like to do.”

Vanidestine topped the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season with 153 yards in last week’s 42-6 toppling of No. 7 Brunswick. Shane Walton added another 104 yards on 11 carries.