DIXFIELD — Even the best laid plans can be altered — especially in Dirigo’s case.

The Cougars dominated on both sides of the ball in a Class D Football game at chilly Harlow Park as five different Cougars scored and the ball-hawking defense forced three turnovers in a convincing 35-14 triumph over Boothbay.

Dirigo (5-2), which has won four straight, knows the schedule gets tougher with Maranacook in the regular-season finale, and then the playoffs.

Vincent Hebert, quarterback Riley Robinson and Gavin Arsenault each scored in the first half, and Gus Brown was successful on every kick as Dirigo built an insurmountable lead and never looked back.

“We came in to the game beliveing we needed more balance on offense. We wanted to throw the ball 15 times,” said Brown, who booted all five extra points. “But once we started running the ball, there was no stopping us. Bennett Dorion had his best game.”

Dirigo was deliberate in marching downfield on its initial possession, with Hebert following the right side of the line in for a 5-yard touchdown. A highlight in the 70-yard, six-play drive was a Robinson 30-yard run and a reception by Cooper Chiasson. On the ensuing possession, Dirigo linebacker Barry Campbell recovered a fumble in Seahawks territory. The Cougars scored 14 points, in 30 seconds.

Three plays later, Robinson (77 yards, 11 rushes) received a key block by Brown and raced 26 yards for a TD. Robinson then intercepted Boothbay QB Duncan Drapeau, again giving the Cougars prime field position. Arsenault ran around the left side for a 3-yard TD. The Cougars led 21-0 at halftime.

“A key for us was stopping their running,” said Campbell, who also forced a fumble that was recovered Dalton Berry in the third quarter. “We worked all week on Boothbay’s double wing. Coach (Jim) Hersom had a solid plan by using five down linemen. We feel that we are among the better teams in the conference.”

Boothbay (1-5) was held to 125 rushing yards and 173 total yards. Dimitry Gosselin gained 64 yards on 19 carries and Drapeau was 5-of-12 for 48 yards. The Seahawks drove to red zone, but the Cougars’ defense stiffened and held on fourth down as time ran out in the first half.

“We came in knowing that we need to be more balanced, offensively. But we feel pretty good on where we are,” said Dirigo coach Jim Hersom, who was surprised to hear Robinson was 6-of-8 for 77 yards. ”We’ve been working hard on offense and it is coming along. The (starting) defense has been working well and become a good unit.”

Dirigo drelivered a message by scoring on both possessions in the third quarter to salt the game. Robinson threw a 24-yard TD to Brown who had beat the corner back. Hunter White scored on a 27-yard reverse.

‘”We feel confident as a team. But we haven’t peaked yet,” Brown said.

Boothbay scored twice in the fourth quarter. Jacob Leonard caught a 32-yard TD and Abel Boyer had TD on a 1-yard dive.

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