DIXFIELD — Getting back to basics and concentrating on the littlest of details worked for the Dirigo football team in a Campbell Conference game Saturday afternoon.

Junior fullback Jake Dowland ran for two touchdowns and Ben Holmes threw a pair of touchdown passes to help lead a balanced offense, while the defense refused to bend en route to a 32-0 shutout against Madison in a regular-season finale at Harlow Park.

Dirigo’s philosophy of getting down to business paid off quickly. The Cougars figured that if things worked out, they will finish fifth in playoff seeding and travel to Traip next Saturday.

“We needed some (help), but that’s how I had it calulated,” Dirigo coach Doug Gilbert said. “This was a good team performance overall because they played well. The defense stepped up, which had been lacking the past couple of weeks. Every one did their job.”

Dirigo established its running attack early on and Dowland and Ross each scored in the first half. Ross returned a punt to the Madison 30 and four plays later, Dowland bulled over from seven yards with 8:39 left in the first quarter.

On the ensuing possession, Madison managed two first downs, but the Cougars Zach White sacked Bulldog quarterback Stephen Cusson on a fourth-down scramble and Chad Cormier tackled Cusson for a loss. The Cougars started on their own 49 and proceeded to pound the ball inside for four first downs. Spencer Trenoweth caught a pass to set up first and goal. Ross scored on a 3-yard run and John Calden kicked the extra point.

“The offensive line did a great job,” said Ross, who gained 120 yards on 17 carries and over 200 all-purpose yards. “Dow and I just had to follow our blocks. The offensive line is comprise of tackles White and Thomas Barnett, guards Arik Fenstermacher and Cormier and center Jake Weston.

Madison (1-7) lined up in shotgun and several high snaps resulted in fumbled or lost yardage. The Bulldogs had minus rushing yards in the first half.

Mike Smith intercepted a pass and had a 31-yard return nullified because of block in the back.

“We really worked on positioning,”Gilbert said. “On Tuesday, we spent the entire practice on knowing what our assignments were and what and where to go if (Madison) adjusted. If people were in their correct positions, then we were fine.”

Holmes (5 of 13 for 62 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions) threw to Justin Jasper and Ross for scores of 10 and 14 yards in the third quarter. Dowland (64 yards, 19 carries) added a 3-yard touchdown.

Madison drove in the red zone twice led by Zach White (50 yards, 12 carries) in the fourth quarter, but came up empty. The Cougar defense held on fourth and inches at the 7, and Caleb Hall intercepted a slant pass in the end zone.

“Madison didn’t do any thing we hadn’t prepared for,” Fenstermacher said. “Everybody did their job.”

On third down conversions, Madison was two for 14, while Dirigo made five of 10. The Cougars rushed for over 226 rushing yards and didn’t punt in the game.