A win over three-time defending Class D state champ Oak Hill was unsurprisingly one of them, as was a week two road win at Traip, which came on the heels of a big season-opening road win at Lisbon.

The other game that came down to the wire was a home win against seemingly depleted Dirigo.

“They are thin in numbers, but will fight you from start to finish,” Ramblers coach Dave St. Hilaire said. “That hasn’t changed.”

That was a game that the Cougars thought they could have had, and they’ll get their chance to prove they can finish the job this time around when the teams rematch in the Class D South semifinals on Friday night in Winthrop.

“We’re going to try to match that again,” No. 4 Dirigo coach Jim Hersom said. “I think the kids feel good about what they were able to do.”

The Cougars scored just six points in that 14-6 defeat, and Hersom cited The No. 1 Ramblers’ defensive prowess as the obvious reason.

“They’re a very good defensive team, no question about it,” Hersom said.

Dirigo’s own defense has to deal with a Ramblers attack that is as balanced as it comes in Class D South, featuring senior QB Matt Ingram and a host of adept wide receivers and running backs.

But the Ramblers were held to their lowest point total of the season in the first meeting.

“Defensively, they are tough to run against and fly around to the ball,” St. Hilaire said. “We can’t miss assignments up front and need to win the battle of field position.”

One thing is for sure: The Cougars, with a team half the size of Winthrop/Monmouth, won’t be entering the rematch scared.

“I think our kids will play well,” Hersom said. I think we’ll rise up to the challenge, and we’re just going to try to outplay them.”

wkramlich@sunjournal.com

Copy the Story Link