JAY — Jordan DeMillo proved to be a workhorse and the Jay High School football team rode his efforts at Taglienti Field on Friday night.

DeMillo scored a 10-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter, and Jay relied on a solid defensive stand to earn a hard-fought 20-12 victory over Maranacook in a Class C Campbell Conference tilt.

Jay (2-0) utilized a strong running game to earn positive yardage, with DeMillo (78 yards, 19 carries), J.D. Couture (49 yards, eight carries and Billy Calden (23 yards). Calden’s major contribution was a 75-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the second quarter.

The Tigers had crushed Sacopee Valley 34-2 in their season opener.

‘’We needed an attitude adjustment early in the game,” DeMillo said. “But, then my blockers took over, especially in the second half and were opening up big holes.”

Maranacook (1-1) came right back and scored on a Luke Emery (54 yards) 1-yard plunge with 2:42 remaining.

The Black Bears opened the second half with a 17-play, 8:37 drive, but it stalled in the red zone. The longest run was eight yards and the Tigers swarming defense ended it with an Andrew Stearns sack.

“I’m proud of my guys,” Jay coach Mark Bonnivie said. “That goal-line stand in the second half was huge. It was gut-check time. We fought through illness and injuries all week, and even during the game guys stepped up.”

Maranacook cut the deficit to 8-6 with 7:03 remaining in the second quarter. Quarterback Travis Godbolt passed to big tight end Ben Johnson, who broke three tackles for a 46-yard touchdown. The momentum turned quickly when Calden broke loose down the right side on the ensuing kickoff. 

The Tigers were led on defense by linemen Tyler Dorr and Matt Lancaster; linebacker DeMillo (interception, fumble recovery).

Jay quarterback Austin Clark scored on a keeper in the first quarter, and DeMillo rushed the conversion.

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