Cougars roll over Rebels in homecoming win

DIXFIELD -- There was no slow start from the Dirigo football team on this night.

The Cougars, who had won three in a row to begin the season, all in come-from-behind fashion, made the most of their opportunities in front of a large homecoming crowd Friday and marched off with another win.

Senior quarterback Brett Whittemore threw three touchdown passes and Spencer Trenoweth added a pair of rushing TDs as the Cougars remained unbeaten with a 33-14 win against Telstar.

“It was ugly,” Dirigo coach David Crutchfield said. ''We need to cut making those penalties, but we also have an explosive offense. It also helps having Tyler Frost back and along with Spencer Trenoweth and Thomas Barnett those three can really block in backfield.”

Dirigo (4-0) found itself in a battle, but scored on two straight possessions in second quarter to lead 19-6 at halftime. Trenoweth ran around left side for an 18-yard TD. Telstar responded, Whittemore (6 of 13 for 110 yards) connected with Nick Young for a 71-yard score. Young beat the secondary and Nelson Pepin, who had a 2-yard TD reception in first quarter, kicked the PAT.

Telstar (0-4) is still seeking its first win since reinstating varsity football. The Rebels had success through the air as quarterback Jared Vermette rolled out and hooked up with Cameron Pike down the sidelines for touchdown strikes of 31 and 19 yards.

"We knew that Dirigo would come in pumped up for its homecoming," said Telstar coach Tim O'Connor. "So I told the kids that we needed to survive the surge. I felt we was able to do that and we played a good game. There is some winable games coming up and after last year. Our goal is to not let that happen."

Frost, a sophomore who returned to action last week following an ankle injury suffered during preseason, ran over people and gained a game-high 111 yards on 13 carries, while Trenoweth gained 104 and Barnett had 56. The Cougars had crushed Telstar, 54-6, in last year's regular season finale.

In the fourth quarter, the Cougars' defense stopped the Rebels on fourth and goal, with Joe Casey intercepting the ball in the end zone. Trenoweth returned the opening kickoff in third quarter 59 yards and two plays later broke off a 21-yard TD. The senior runner has gained more than 600 yards in four games.

"We came into the game expecting more," said Barnett. "But Telstar was tough. Our offensive line gave us great blocking."

Cougars roll Photo: Picasa

Dirigo's Nick Young used his speed to get behind the Telstar secondary, then hauled in this pass from Brett Whittemore for a 71-yard touchdown. (Times photo by Bruce Farrin)

Cougars roll Photo: Picasa

The Telstar defender finds it difficult trying to bring down Dirigo back Tyler Frost. (Times photo by Bruce Farrin)

Cougars roll Photo: Picasa

SPIRIT SQUAD -- Members of the new Dirigo High School Spirit Squad began performing before the home crowd at Friday's football contest, then were out the next morning for the girls' soccer contest. (Times photo by Bruce Farrin)