RUMFORD — Mountain Valley battled back, but fell a two-point conversion short of Yarmouth on Friday.
The Falcons put together a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback behind quarterback Nick Newman. However, time ran out as Yarmouth, behind QB John Thoma’s three passing touchdowns and another running, pulled out a 27-25 win in a Class C South game at Hosmer Field.
Mountain Valley (1-1) scored three TDs in the final 5:13 of Friday’s game. Cameron Payne broke loose for a 39-yard score to cut the deficit 27-13. The Falcons’ defense, led by linebacker Ian Brennick and lineman Peter Cogley, held the Clippers on three straight possessions. Newman broke away for 62 yards, and two plays later, Avery Bradeen rambled in from 11 yards out.
”On the trap play, it was open and I took off,” Newman. ”It was quite a comeback, but like coach said, we can’t afford to spot a good team a three-touchdown lead. We hadn’t played with enough (emotion) in the entire game.”
Mountain Valley regained possession with 1:55 remaining, and Newman (4-of-11 for 79 yards) threw to Jacob Blanchard for a catch-and-run TD. The conversion attempt fell just short.
The Falcons entered the game still riding high after dismantling Gray-New Gloucester 63-6 in the season opener. Kyle Farrar rushed for 177 yards, scored five touchdowns; and added seven extra points. Farrar was cramping up and was held to 8 yards on six carries by Yarmouth.
”The team came (alive),” Falcons coach Pat Mooney said. ”The middle of the field was open because Yarmouth wedged us in and took away the outside that we had at Gray-New Gloucester. Yarmouth is quick and they are a well coached team.”
On the other end of the spectrum, Yarmouth (2-0) had scored on its initial possession of the game. Thoma (13-of-25 for 177 yards, 3 TD) threw to Jack True (six catches for 111 yards), and then Thoma scored on a 4-yard run in the second quarter.
Thoma connected with Noah Eckersley and Remi Leblanc for TDs of 28 and 23 yards in the fourth quarter. Eckersley scored a conversion for the winning points.
”Mountain Valley is a physical team,” Yarmouth coach Jason Veilleux said. ”Our line is young, but we moved the ball. John Thoma is a three-year starter and the passing game is a big threat. He holds nearly every passing record in Yarmouth history.”
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