RUMFORD – Mountain Valley scored 28 unanswered points, sparked by a 53-yard kickoff return by Travis Ruff, and then capitalized on some Fryeburg mistakes en route to a hard-fought, 35-14 win over the Raiders at Hosmer Field.

Mountain Valley (5-0) also got three scores from Justin Staires (17 rushes, 188 yards) and one from fullback Matt Laubauskas (11 rushes, 90 yards).

Fryeburg had actually taken a 14-7 lead after quarterback Preston Jones fired a 25-yard TD pass to Orion Winkler with two-tenths of a second left in the first half.

Sequoia Reynoso had 90 yards to lead the Raiders’ ball control offense.

The Falcons had outscored its opponents 222-6 in four games.

“Coaches pointed out some things we were doing wrong at halftime,” Matt Laubauskas said. “We knew that we needed to work harder, but take nothing away from Fryeburg, because they gave us a test.”

Mountain Valley scored three times in the third quarter, but Ruff’s electrifying return was the key.

The junior picked the ball off the slick grass and took two steps, while the Raiders bit on it, leaving the entire sideline open.

“Without that kickoff return it might have been a different game,” Fryeburg coach Jim Thurston said. “The difference in the second half was Mountain Valley has been in games like this for years and we haven’t. Still, I’m proud of my kids and just a couple of mistakes in critical situations hurt us.”

Laubauskas, a junior, scored on a 10-yard run and Aaron Cote kicked the PAT for a 21-14 lead with 8:35 left in the third quarter.

“We came out and started tackling in the second,” Mountain Valley coach Jim Aylward said. “We squared and hit them under the shoulder pads and played football the Mountain Valley way. Anyone can see that we need plenty of work on defense. Their shotgun fooled us all night and there is no need of it.”

Mountain Valley took command when Staires broke out side and sprinted 82 yards for a touchdown. Owen Jones supplied a key block at the 15 yard line.

Fryeburg gained 227 yards rushing with inside handoffs and mis-direction, and earned six first downs. But they also had five bad snaps and two fumbles.

“Fryeburg shot themselves with a couple turnovers,” Aylward said. “I don’t think we stopped them once. People will see 35-14 and think Mountain Valley had a cake walk. Well, that definitely was not the case.”

The Falcons completed the scoring on Staires eight-yard TD in the fourth.