BATH – Racean Wood ran for 164 yards and two touchdowns, including the winner, as Waterville came from behind to edge Morse 20-14 in an Eastern Class B football game Friday night.

With the teams tied 14-14 at halftime, the second half was a game of field position, and the Purple Panthers (3-1) eventually won that in the fourth quarter after a Jordhan Levine punt to the Morse 23.

A pair of penalties and lost yardage pinned the Shipbuilders on their 2, and Waterville took over at the Morse 45 following a punt.

David Bailey gained 15 yards on successive sweeps, and Wood burst through a huge hole on the right side to go almost untouched for a 30-yard score with 8:30 remaining.

A bad snap prevented the point-after, but the Panthers were up 20-14 and held on.

“The line did a great job opening up holes for us,” said Wood, “and our defense did a great job shutting them down. It wasn’t easy and I’m just really proud of the whole team.”

Waterville took the early lead on its second possession, set up by a Levine interception at the Morse 39.

Five plays later, Evan Greatorex went up the middle from 5 yards, and Levine’s kick made it 7-0 after one quarter.

Quarterback Kevin McKellar pulled the Shipbuilders even with a determined 4-yard run in the second quarter, breaking three tackles to cap a 10-play, 45-yard drive. Aaron Barrett followed with the PAT.

D’Vaughn Myers put Morse (1-3) on top 14-7 with a 70-yard interception return, stepping in front of an Aidan FitzGerald pass in the flat and racing untouched down the left sideline.

“I had a good read on the ball and was able to catch it in full stride,” said Myers.

Any momentum the Shipbuilders had was quickly erased when Jordan Derosby returned the ensuing kickoff up the middle to the Morse 31.

Wood finished off the five-play drive by going off left tackle from the 8, and Levine’s kick tied the game.

“It was a great game and a gutsy effort on both sides,” said Waterville Coach Frank Knight. “They had a great game plan. They took away our (offense) and their interior defense made us do some things we weren’t all that comfortable with.

“But we made the adjustments and moved the ball just well enough to get out of here with a tough win.”

“Our kids showed great effort but not enough composure,” said Morse Coach Jason Darling, referring to a number of costly penalties. “And that’s the coach’s fault. But I’m very proud of the way we hung in there. We just came up short.”

McKellar was 6 of 14 passing for 72 yards. Myers led Morse in rushing with 45 yards on seven carries.

Greatorex added 43 yards rushing for the Purple Panthers.