STANDISH — Heading into Friday night’s Western Class A football semifinal, the Biddeford Tigers had the odds stacked against them.

The Tigers were sitting at one game under .500 at 4-5 and going up against the defending state champion Bonny Eagle Scots.

But, as they say, that’s why you play the game.

The Tigers weren’t able to pull off the upset last night, but they did give the Scots all they could handle before dropping a 21-8 decision.

“I’m very proud of our effort, very proud ”¦ and I don’t think a lot of people gave us a shot to win this game,” said Biddeford coach Brian Curit.

The Biddeford coach saw his kids fight till the end ”“ and they almost pulled off the major upset.

Trailing 13-0 with 5:45 remaining, the Tigers went on a six-play scoring drive. Leading the way was quarterback Casey Twomey, who hit Capen Macomber on a 31-yard strike to put the ball at the Bonny Eagle 20. Following a holding penalty, Twomey went back to the air and found Dominick Day for a 30-yard score.

The Tigers decided to take a chance and go for the two-point conversion ”“ and it paid off as Joey Curit got into the end zone to cut the lead to 13-8 with 3:19 left.

Biddeford would try a onside kick, but the Scots would recover and take over in Tigers’ territory.

The Biddeford defense, which held dangerous Bonny Eagle QB Zach Dubiel to just 113 total yards, came up big with a three-and-out.

That meant the Tigers would have a chance to march down the field for the win with 1:17 to go.

Starting on their own 13, the Tigers went back to Twomey and the passing attack. The Scots brought pressure on the first play of the drive and Bonny Eagle’s Ben Malloy picked off a pass and took it to the house to put the game away.

Curit gave credit to the defending state champions.

“That’s not the sisters of the poor. That’s a very good football team and they are very well coached,” said Curit.

Bonny Eagle opened the game with a long scoring drive, which ended with Matt Smith scoring from 10 yards out to make it 7-0 with 7:20 left in the first.

The Tigers defense and penalties would keep the Scots out of the end zone for the remainder of the opening half as the teams went into the break with the score at 7-0.

Biddeford had two scoring chances early in the second half ”“ including a first-and-goal opportunity from the 10 ”“ but the Tigers would come up empty.

Bonny Eagle made it a 13-0 lead when Cam Theberge broke loose on a 36-yard touchdown run at the 5:45 mark of the fourth. The extra point was blocked.

Biddeford was led by Twomey, who finished the night 7-of-23 for 115 yards and one touchdown. Day ended the night with four catches for 73 yards and Lucas Rhoy led the Tigers ground game with 29 yards on four carries.

Bonny Eagle was led by Dubiel with 81 rushing yards and 32 yards through the air. Smith chipped in with 40 yards on the ground and one score and Theberge had 53 rushing yards in the win.

The Tigers may have come up short in what is likely to be their last Class A football game before dropping down to Class B next year, but their head coach was extremely pleased with their effort.

“I just told them I was very proud of them. Who would have even thought that we would have a shot to win this game,” said coach Curit.

—Sports Editor Pat McDonald can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 323 or at pmcdonald@journaltribune.com.