BATH

The way the Oceanside offense carved through the Morse High School defense on its opening drive gave the large Shipbuilder contingent reason to worry.

Figure, the Mariners drove 62 yards on six plays, barely breaking a sweat on a humid night, with quarterback Ryan Allender finding receiver Elvis Bowen for a 17-yard touchdown strike just 2:22 in, and on the Mariners’ second drive, running back Preston Spear found daylight and rumbled 71 yards for a second score late in the first quarter for a 14-0 lead for the visitors.

But, the Morse defense found its footing, forcing four turnovers and leading the Shipbuilders back for a 27-20 Western Maine Class B victory at McMann Field on Friday.

The Shipbuilders (1-0) visit Falmouth this upcoming Friday.

“We needed to get the noise started after starting slow,” said Morse linebacker Justin Trottier, who had nine tackles, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. “We came out in the second half ready to play. It is always a good feeling to win a game.”

The turning point came in the second quarter. Facing a short second down, Shipbuilders sophomore quarterback Connor Upham (6-for-15, 56 yards, two touchdowns passing, one rushing) faked a hand-off and lofted a pass to receiver Josh McDougal for a 40- yard touchdown to get Morse on the board.

“That play was huge and something we had worked on all week,” said Morse coach Jason Darling. “Connor is a sophomore and he is going to make some mistakes. But, he throws a good ball and Josh is a great target for him. Momentum is huge for a young group, and they fed off the energy.”

On Oceanside’s ensuing drive, Juwan Moore put pressure on Allender, whose pass floated into the arms of McDougal. His 43-yard interception TD return and his subsequent 2- point conversion reception from Upham tied the game with 6:20 remaining until halftime.

“We went from feeling like the game was out of our hands to we could come back and win this,” said McDougal. “The turnovers changed the game, and we know that we don’t win this game without it.”

A big hit from by Raz Baltazar forced another Oceanside turnover, and the Shipbuilders cashed in again, with Upham diving in from the Oceanside 1-yard line for a 21-14 lead late in the first half.

The Mariners received a jolt of momentum on the ensuing kickoff, with Spear finding a sliver of room and sprinting 88-yards for a touchdown. Morse maintained the lead as Anthony Moore’s extrapoint try was blocked by the interior of the Shipbuilder defense.

Despite the late setback, Darling felt his team had shaken off its slow start.

“We spotted them 20, and I felt if we dug in during the second half we would be all right. They started playing aggressive football. After the first quarter, we got back to what we do,” said the coach.

Second half defense

After all of the first-half fireworks, the second half turned into trench warfare. The Morse defense, led by Trottier, Baltazar (six tackles, forced fumble) and James Laser (two fumble recoveries, four tackles) kept the Mariners from generating a first down in the third quarter.

Morse had its difficulties as well, with Mariners linebacker Logan Finnegan (10 tackles) leading the charge.

The Shipbuilders claimed some insurance late in the third quarter. Beginning at its own 40-yard line, Morse used the running of Laser (14 rushes, 104 yards), Baltazar (17 carries, 101 yards) and Scott Petersen (13 rushes, 66 yards) to pound away at the tiring Oceanside (0-1) defense. Facing a thirdand goal at the Mariners 5-yard line, Upham hooked up with receiver Damon Osmond on a slant for a 27-20 lead.

Oceanside continued to be stifled by the Morse defense, with the Mariners held to just six total yards prior to the their final drive. After blocking a field goal, Oceanside took over at its 20 with 2:23 remaining. Spear (14 rushes, 131 yards, two TDs) gained 15 yards for the Mariners’ initial first down of the half. Allender scrambled for 12 more on the next play, but Baltazar dropped Nate Raye for a 6-yard loss, and two incomplete passes gave Morse the ball on downs with 57 seconds remaining.

“It’s a great win, and winning the opener validates all that you have done during the offseason and in practice,” said Darling.

Morse controlled time of possession, holding onto the ball for nearly 33 minutes (32:52) and running 72 plays to Oceanside’s 36. The Shipbuilders picked up 315 yards on the ground and finished with an 18-6 edge in first downs. Oceanside turned the ball over four times.

Morse 27, Oceanside 20

At McMann Field, Bath
Friday
Oceanside—14 600—20
Morse— 02160—27
First quarter
O — Elvis Bowen 17 pass from Ryan Allender
(Anthony Moore kick), 9:38.
O — Preston Spear 71 run (Anthony Moore
kick), :37.
Second quarter
M — Josh McDougal 40 pass from Connor
Upham (kick blocked), 11:18.
M — Josh McDougal 43 interception return
(Josh McDougal pass from Connor Upham),
6:20.
M — Connor Upham 1 run (James Lovitt kick),
1:16.
O — Preston Spear 88 kickoff return (kick
blocked), 1:03.
Third quarter
M — Damon Osmond 5 pass from Connor
Upham (run failed), 1:00.
Records — Morse 1-0, Oceanside 0-1.
Up next for the Shipbuilders — Friday at Falmouth, 7 p.m.