LEWISTON — Facing a bigger, stronger, faster and tougher opponent, Lewiston High School kept the game as close as it could for as long as it could using a mix of special teams and good fortune.

But when the good fortune ran out, and the special teams’ magic ended, so too did the Blue Devils’ chances at a victory.

Corey McKenzie galloped for 256 yards and four touchdowns, fullback JosJake Stinson rumbled for 146 more and a score and the Messalonskee defense held Lewiston to only six first downs and 115 total yards as the Eagles trampled the Blue Devils 43-12 at Don Roux Field on Friday in the teams’ second game of the season.

“We couldn’t generate any offense tonight,” Lewiston coach Bill County said. “Some of these young guys, this is the first time they get into a game this physical against players who are bigger and stronger than they are. They hung in there for a little while, but they just don’t have the experience or the size.”

Not that Messalonskee’s core skill players are all veterans, either. McKenzie is only a junior, and the Eagles’ line gave him plenty of running room all game long.

“They were kind of lining up off the line of scrimmage in really no position at all,” Messalonskee coach Wes Littlefield said. “We started going on first down right away, not letting them set up.”

“They’re just consistent,” County said. “They just punch you in the mouth. You don’t have an answer for that wedge when you’re not as big and strong.”

Messalonskee marched through the Lewiston defense on the first series of the contest, scoring on McKenzie’s first touchdown of the game, a 24-yard run up the middle only 2:48 in. Sheon Jones took the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for Lewiston, but the Devils missed the extra point to trail by one.

The Eagles added a field goal later in the first, and another touchdown in the second after a pair of Lewiston turnovers to push their lead to 16-6.

A Messalonskee miscue on a Lewiston punt early in the third gave the Devils some momentum, as Jake Dexter fumbled the return and Ben Howell scooped up the loose ball and ran it into the end zone for a score.

But that was as close as Lewiston would get. Messalonskee held Lewiston to no more first downs until late in the fourth quarter, and continued running at will on the Blue Devils’ defense.

“We played much better in the second half, running, blocking and tackling,” Littlefield said.

Every time Lewiston did try to get back in the game, they either put the ball on the ground or threw it into the wrong hands.

“We spilled the ball in the second half, three times inside the 30, and you just can’t do that,” County said.

Genness pushed the visitors’ lead to 23-12 on a 3-yard run in the third, and then McKenzie tacked on two more in the fourth before Corey Foye punctuated the victory with a touchdown with 5:27 remaining.