DIXFIELD — With plenty on the line for Dirigo, Dallas Berry scored three touchdowns, including a catch-and-run pass from Cole Brown, and Mike Packard rushed for two scores as Dirigo spread the wealth and raced away for a 40-7 win over Orono before a Homecoming crowd at Harlow Park.

Something had to give between the Red Riots and Cougars, who were ranked first and third in lowest offensive scoring, respectively, in Class D. Dirigo snapped a four-game losing skid, its longest in a decade.

The Cougars’ defense was equally as stout, holding the Red Riots to 26 net rushing yards in the game and forcing six turnovers. Tyler Morse, Cameron Gray and Henderson Gonzelez each recovered fumbles. Packard had two interceptions and Gonzelez added another.

“This feels really great,” said Brown, the freshman quarterback who connected with fellow freshman Berry in the left flat for a 22-yard TD, with 3:48 remaining in the first quarter.”It is certainly what we needed. To win on our home field before a homecoming.”

Dirigo 2-4 proceeded to bust the game open by scoring 26 points in the second quarter, to lead 33-0 lead at halftime. Cooper Chiasson started things by reversing direction and running across the grain for a 21-yard TD. Brown threw to Cam Kidder for the two-point conversion.

Dirigo was its own worst enemy early on, which included roughing Orono’s punter on consecutive plays. The plays gave the Red Riots their only two first downs in the first half. Chiasson had two scores called back, long punt return and a run, for illegal blocks.

Orono (0-6) was unable to generate any positive yards through the first half. Manuel Beckles had 2 yards on 22 carries. Three other runners were held to negative yards.

Dirigo received a spark when Morse forced and recovered a fumble deep in Orono territory. Three plays later, Berry followed the line in for a 4-yard score.

“The plan was to run right at them,” said Berry, who gained 67 yards on 11 carries. “We had plenty of success. Tonight, our new offensive line (anchored by senior Quinten Penley) won the game for us.”

“All of our plays were working,” said Brown, who completed 5 of 9 passes for 8 yards.

Following another Orono three-and-out, Packard raced 35 yards to set up a first and goal. Two plays later, Packard (10 yards, 13 carries) scored from 1 yard. Packard ran in a 12-yard TD in the fourth quarter.

Liam Burnette gained 57 yards and Chiasson gained his 47 yards in the first half.

Orono averted the shutout when Beckles completed a halfback-option pass to Logan Hafford for a 58-yard catch and run play in for a 58-yard TD.

Burnette led with 9 tackles and Chase Nelson had 6 tackles and a sack. Jack Lavogna had a sack.

“It was important for us to score first,”Berry said. “We have had a rough few weeks. It gave us the momentum that we needed.”

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