DIXFIELD — Second verse, same as the first for Dirigo High School.

One week after earning the fourth seed with a win over Old Orchard Beach, the Cougars hosted the Seagulls again at Harlow Park on Friday.

This time, though, there were no secrets — just hard-nosed football in a Class D South quarterfinal.

Cooper Chiasson ran in a 16-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, and a strong defensive effort helped the Cougars pull out a 14-7 win.

The teams are well-versed in each others’ tendencies, based on recent history. Dirigo won last Friday, 12-6, in the regular-season finale to earn home-field advantage for the playoff game.

Dirigo (5-3) also defeated OOB 29-8 in a 2015 quarterfinal win at Harlow Park.

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Dirigo advances to play a semifinal game against No.1 Winthrop/Monmouth next Friday or Saturday.

Chiasson, who gained 191 yards and scored both touchdowns last week, was keyed on by the Seagulls’ defense Friday. Quarterback Luke Lueders handed off to Chiasson (17 carries, 46 yards), who broke outside and raced 16 yards for a TD with 9:41 left to play.

“This was a great game. I have played OOB teams a hundred times in the playoffs. They play hard and we respect them,” Chiasson said. “We had switched a few things. First off, I usually play defensive end, but moved to linebacker.”

The Dirigo defense stopped OOB on the next possession. Lueders (4-of-9, 61 yards, TD) completed a pass to Hunter White for a TD, but a motion call nullified it.

OOB (3-5) wasn’t disenchanted and drove the ball. Quarterback Dylan Boudreau (5-for-11, 97 yards) threw a 62-yard TD to Dylan Creswell (6 carries, 77 yards). Jake Maloney kicked the extra point with 5:44 left.

“There were no secrets. In preparation for this game, we put in a few wrinkles,” Old Orchard Beach coach Dean Plante said. “Dirigo changed defenses. We thought that we could be more physical, but turnovers and penalties killed us.”

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OOB was flagged 11 times for 85 yards.

The Cougars’ Jack Lavonga, Alex Gorham (14 carries, 53 yards) and Chassion each recovered fumbles. Linebacker Bryce Whittemore had 11 tackles. Cam Turner had an interception.

Turner also caught a ball over the shoulder for a 20-yard TD in first quarter. Gorham rushed in for the conversion.

Chiasson has scored 10 TDs in the Cougars past four games.

“It was a battle between two even teams,” Dirigo coach Jim Hersom said. “We used some misdirection running plays and were successful. I’m proud of these guys.”


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