DIXFIELD — Things continued clicking for the Maranacook in a Class C Campbell Conference football game Saturday afternoon.

Junior Jesse Evans and Luke Emery each scored touchdowns to complete long drives as the ball-controlling Black Bears relied on a staunch defense that pummeled Dirigo in to submission en route to a 20-6 win at Harlow Park.

The field surface was in relatively good shape following the recent rains.

Maranacook (6-1) utilized a three-headed running offense of Emery and Kyle and Jesse Evans, who each ran over and around the Cougars’ defense on numerous occasions.

“In the first half we just didn’t execute,” Maranacook coach Joe Emery said. “A lot of that was our own fault because penalties negated six or seven first downs. I told the kids at halftime that Dirigo is a good football team and you have to go right at them. I felt we did that in the second half.”

Maranacoook took the opening drive and marched down the field with a purpose, as Jesse Evans (81 yards, 17 rushes) carried the ball the final two yards for a touchdown. The 13-play, 8-yard drive lasted 5:59 and saw quarterback Caleb Castonguay sneak up the middle for three first downs. The rush for the conversion failed, but Maranacook led 14-6.

“The kids need to know the situation,” said Dirigo coach Dave Crutchfield, regarding third-and-short moments. “But that’s where the coaching staff needs to be doing a better job. I thought we came out flat in the second half compared to the first half. We were to tentative.”

Dirigo (3-4), which has lost three straight, simply couldn’t generate any positive offense and didn’t earn a first down until Jake Dowland stretched for one with 7:42 remained in the fourth quarter.

The Cougars had lost overtime games to Oak Hill and Winslow, but still have a mathematical chance to earn a playoff berth. They must beat Telstar next Saturday.

Jesse Evens bounced outside for an 18-yard TD with 2:35 left in the third quarter and Kyle Evans ran 40 yards during the drive.

“Obviously, they were hurt without (Bryan) Blackman, and he’s been a big part of their offense,” Emery said. “But we had success with the wing-counter because Kyle Evans and Luke (Emery) each had some long runs. Our offensive line really played great, and its what we call the pit and punch.”

Dirigo played without leading rusher Blackman, who was suspended for this game following incident after the Winslow game last week. The Cougars used Caleb Hall, Nic Young and Dowland, but gained 50 yards on 23 rushes in the entire game.

Luke Emery (128 yards, 23 rushes) scored a 2-yard TD on the first drive of the game. The Black Bears drove 74 yards in 17 plays.

Dirigo scored on its first possession in the first quarter when Ben Holmes threw to Reilly Lombardi for a 55-yard TD. Lombardi (three catches, 68 yards) had drifted behind the secondary for the catch and run. Late in the second quarter, Holmes (6 of 27 for 116 yards, TD, int.) threw passes to Young and Spencer Trenoweth to reach the red zone. Caleb Turner’s field-goal attempt was blocked and Klye Evans returned it 60 yards before Turner made a saving tackle.

The second quarter was a series of punts, while Homes and Tyler Frost each had interceptions. Maranacoook gained 280 yards rushing.