BRUNSWICK – Despite allowing Brunswick to rack up 182 yards of total offense, the Oxford Hills Vikings were still very much in the game Friday night, down just seven points.

The Dragons continued to plug away in the second half, though, finally wearing the Vikings’ defense down. Demetri Rosette ran for 84 yards and two touchdowns, and Camden Miller complemented Rosette’s efforts with 72 yards and three more scoring runs to lead Brunswick to a 41-21 victory over the Vikings at Alumni Field.

“We got a pretty good pep talk at the half,” admitted Miller. “After that, we picked it up, did what we had to do.”

Four different Dragons reached the 50-yard running plateau: Miller, Rosette, starting quarterback Russell Thompson (53 yards) and second-string tailback Shaun Tanner (65 yards, one touchdown). Thompson also threw for 71 yards, mostly in the first half.

“It takes a lot of pressure off of us, the running backs to be able to run that waggle (with Thompson),” said Miller. “He can take it outside, and if the pass isn’t there, he has the wheels to turn it up.”

Brunswick started out solid on defense, holding the Vikings on their first possession and, in fact, sending them backwards. On its ensuing possession, Brunswick moved methodically downfield, banging out 63 yards on 10 plays, topped off by Rosette’s first score from 2 yards out.

Later in the quarter, Miller scored his first touchdown from 10 yards out. Oxford Hills then seemed to come alive, at least on defense.

“We made some big plays defensively when we needed to,” said Oxford Hills coach Bob Austin. “We’d have liked to move the ball a little bit better on offense, though.”

“They played very well defensively in the first half,” said Brunswick coach Dan Cooper. “They made some solid plays; they had a solid first half.”

The Vikings pulled to within a touchdown at 14-7 late in the first half when quarterback Justin Frechette heaved what appeared to be a desperation pass to the back of the end zone from 21 yards out. The ball sailed into the waiting hands of Jon Cote, who tiptoed the line to stay in bounds.

In the second half, though, Brunswick started to pound the ball even harder, and even sent two Vikings – lineman Matt Fogg and fullback Brad Smith – to the sidelines with concussions.

“They’re a tough defensive team, and they hit us hard,” said Austin.

Two Brunswick touchdowns within three minutes of each other sealed the game.

Frechette ran in the Vikings’ second touchdown late in the third, and after two more touchdowns by Brunswick, tight end Josh Flanders made the most of his only carry of the game by chugging 60 yards up the left side to finish the Vikings’ scoring.