SOUTH PORTLAND — Trying to play catch up the whole game, Biddeford was no match for South Portland’s offense, as quarterback Duncan Preston threw for six touchdowns and ran for another in a 55-24 victory at Martin Memorial Field on Friday.

Preston threw five of his touchdowns on just nine completions in the first half, as the Red Riots led 34-18 at the break.

South Portland needed just three plays to get on the scoreboard, as Preston hit Jordan Susi for a 21-yard score.

The Tigers answered on their first possession, as Corey Creeger threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to Nate Ouellette on a halfback pass. South Portland blocked the extra-point, however, to keep a 7-6 lead.

After Preston finished off another touchdown drive with a pass 7-yard pass to Matt Stearns, the Red Riots forced the first of four Biddeford turnovers to keep the Tigers from answering.

Biddeford quarterback Casey Twomey fumbled the snap on the Tigers’ second play of the possession, and seven South Portland plays later, Preston fed Joey DiBiase in the left flat for a 15-yard touchdown and a 21-6 lead.

“I thought the fumble that we had was huge,” said Biddeford head coach Brian Curit. “I thought that swung some momentum back their way.”

After another Preston to Stearns hook up for a touchdown, Biddeford answered with a 65-yard touchdown pass from Twomey to Corey Brown.

Preston and Twomey traded touchdown passes again ”“ with Creeger scoring on a 39-yard pass despite having his facemask yanked by a Red Riot defender ”“ to make it 34-18.

Biddeford forced South Portland to punt ”“ its first of the game ”“ with 1:08 to play in the half. The Tigers drove down to the 2-yard line, but a fourth-down pass from Twomey to Brown fell incomplete in the end zone.

“That was a big-time stop,” said South Portland head coach Steve Stinson. “The quarterback and (Brown) had some great connections. Holding them out then, and being able to stop that momentum ”¦ that was a big stop for the defense.”

Biddeford was able to score to open the second half, as Lucas Rhoy barreled in from one yard out, but it was the final time the Tigers found the end zone.

“They kept answering us, answering us, answering us, so the margin never got to a very comfortable margin until (late in the game),” said Stinson, who gave plenty of credit to the Biddeford offense.

“We scored 24 points, and we left a couple more on the board. We gave them a couple home runs,” said Curit. “The bottom line is we can’t make those type of mistakes and be in a football game with a team like South Portland.”

Preston and DiBiase both ran for touchdowns, and Preston passed for another, and the Red Riot defense intercepted Twomey twice and stopped Biddeford on another fourth-down play to close out the victory.

“They are (good). There’s no doubt about that,” said Curit. “I think their skill personnel is as good as anybody we’ve see since Bonny Eagle.”

Biddeford will look to regroup as it closes out its regular season with the Battle of the Bridge against Thornton Academy next Saturday. Curit said he hopes his team can rebound from a tough game all around against a confident Red Riot team.

“If we play mistake-free, we’re going to be right there. I have no doubt about that. I believe in my kids. If we make the type of mistakes we made tonight, you’re going to see the same type of score,” said Curit. “But Biddeford kids will rebound, I guarantee that. They always do.”

— Staff Writer Wil Kramlich can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 323. Follow him on Twitter @WilTalkSports.