SCARBOROUGH — The No. 5 Sanford Spartans (4-5) fell to the No. 4 Scarborough Red Storm (5-4) by a score of 28-0 in the Class A South quarterfinals on Friday night.

The opening quarter was dominated by strong defensive plays from both squads. Sanford, which was led by defensive ends Harris Layn and Michael Lunny, would get a big play with 5:39 remaining in the first quarter as senior defensive back Pete Hegarty intercepted a deep pass attempt by Scarborough quarterback Jack Hughes.

The Spartans were denied on their best chance to score of the first half when the stifling Red Storm defensive line held Sanford with a goal-line stand.

Second quarter action was marked by stronger offensive play, yet neither team was able to break the scoreless tie.

The Spartans running threat – led by senior quarterback Frankie Veino – amassed six first downs in the quarter. Junior halfback Anthony Simoneau led the attack on the ground for the Red Storm, who converted four first downs in the second frame of action.

With 1:55 remaining in the first half, Sanford fumbled on a running play, ultimately recovered by Simoneau of Scarborough. The Red Storm would get two first-down hookups from Hughes to senior tight end Griffin Madden, but Sanford’s Nicks Works intercepted a pass with 28.1 seconds remaining in the half to stop the Scarborough drive and preserve the scoreless tie.

Scarborough’s Griffin Madden returned the opening kickoff of the second half 47 yards setting up the game’s first scoring drive. Jack Hughes ran for 43 yards on the drive, capping it off with an eight-yard score with eight minutes remaining in the quarter. The extra point attempt by junior Emmett Peoples was no good to keep the score at 6-0.

The Red Storm scored again just before the end of the quarter as Hughes ran for a four-yard touchdown. Hughes then found tight end Jacob Gardner in the back of the end zone for a two-point conversion, upping the lead to 14-0.

The Red Storm continued their dominance in the fourth quarter as they preserved the shutout.

Scarborough scored on their first offensive snap of the quarter when running back Owen Garrard ran 42 yards for a touchdown. Peoples tacked on the extra point to extend the lead to 21-0.

Garrard found the end zone again with 3:31 left in the game – this time running 21 yards for the score. Peoples converted the extra point to finalize the score at 28-0.

Sanford coach Mike Fallon described the game as “a tale of two halfs.” Citing Scarborough’s “big plays” in the second half making the difference in the game.

Fallon also expressed his pride in his team – praising his senior class as well as his future stars.

Scarborough moves on to face defending state champion and No. 1 seed Thornton Academy next Saturday at Hill Stadium in Saco. The game is set for a 1 p.m. kickoff.