Biddeford quarterback Marc Reali said his Tiger teammates were all on the same page when the coaching staff elected to take a safety late in the fourth quarter of their 27-23 win over Massabesic last Friday. Reali threw for two touchdowns in Biddeford’s win. (MAUREEN GRANDMAISON PHOTOGRAPHY)

BIDDEFORD – Leading by six points late in the fourth quarter of its season opener at Massabesic on Friday, Biddeford ran a play that’s not often seen at any level of football. 

The Tigers faced a 4th and 21 at their own 14-yard line as they clung to a 27-21 lead with 1:57 on the clock. Instead of letting Delano Hale punt, Biddeford head coach Brian Curit and his staff decided to take a safety, giving Massabesic two points and moving the ball up to the 20 to give Hale an easier kick. 

“I think we have one of the better punters in the state in Delano,” Curit said. “But what I was worried about was if he was to get it blocked or if it was a bad snap. I guess I didn’t want them to get the ball with good field position with us only up by six.”

After Hale’s safety punt, Massabesic senior quarterback Nick Roberge looked to lead the Mustangs on a winning drive, but Biddeford’s Ashton Crowell intercepted Roberge’s deep pass to secure the 27-23 Tigers’ win. 

Biddeford quarterback Marc Reali said the team and the coaching staff were on the same page with the decision to take a safety, and he was confident Hale would do his job on the punt. Reali also knew his defense would step up when it mattered most.

“We knew (Hale) would give us very good field position to work with after we took the safety,” said Reali, who threw for two touchdowns in the game. “Our team believes we have a very strong secondary and knew they would have to pass because of the time.”

At the end of the day, Curit said, the decision was based on where Massabesic would get the ball.

“I didn’t want (Massabesic) to get the ball at the 30 or something close like that,” Curit said. “We were only up by six, and I had a scenario playing over and over in my head that we might lose by a point if that happens.”

Instead of taking over at Biddeford’s 30-yard line, Massabesic started its final offensive drive on their own 47. 

Curit said there were two games last season where the Tigers lost by one point that still “haunts him.” He felt opting to play it safe was the best decision for his team. However, the choice to take the safety wasn’t initially his idea.

“There were some people on the sideline that were saying ‘Hey, maybe you should take the safety,’” Curit said. “My son (Joe Curit) was also on the sideline and I heard one of my assistants say ‘Yeah, that’s probably a good idea’ … It was really a good call by whoever called it. It was my decision, but it wasn’t really my idea.”

Biddeford and Massabesic each had its share of miscues in their opener. Both teams suffered fumbles and racked up penalty yards, but those mistakes didn’t factor into Curit’s decision to take the safety. 

“(Massabesic’) well-coached, they had a great gameplan, and they did a great job,” Curit said. “But at the end of the day, I just didn’t want them with the ball at the 30-yard line.”