Cougar gridmen sink the Clippers

YARMOUTH -- The Dirigo football team had to be prepared for anything in a Campbell Conference game Friday night.

Brett Whittemore proved to be the equalizer by throwing for three touchdowns in a 35-20 win against Yarmouth. The Clippers have a poor record, but the Cougars coaching staff considered them the best 1-5 team in the conference.

On its first possession, Yarmouth was held on downs on the Dirigo 15. The Cougars fumbled the punt on the eight yard line, setting up first and goal for Yarmouth and Tom Lord caught an eight-yard TD pass.

Dirigo reposed and Spencer Trenoweth returned the kick off 33 yards and few plays later Whittemore (9 of 16 for 214 yards) threw to Trenoweth for a 46 yard TD. Nelson Pepin kicking the extra point.

In the second quarter, Trenoweth faked a punt and eventually scampered five yards for a TD Two series later, Tyler Frost forced a fumble and recovered it on the Clippers 11 yard line. Frost scored on a one-yard TD to make it 21-6.

Yarmouth moved the ball well and actually had a TD brought back on a holding call. Dirigo held them on downs at the 12-yard line and Whittemore hit Trenoweth for an 88 yard TD pass. The Cougars had talked during the play about catching a flat pass and turning to the inside after the catch.

Dirigo was letting the clock run out just before the half, but Yarmouth called an ill-advised timeout with eight seconds left and the ball on 41 yard line. So coach Dave Crutchfield called for a long pass to Trenoweth. He was caught at the 10 yard line, but fought through a couple tacklers before being brought down at the one as the half ran out.

In third quarter, Trenoweth (four catches for 182 yards, interception) had a 40-yard return. He did not play any offense in the second half by coaches decision.

Whittemore threw a three-yard jump pass for a TD to Pepin. The two-way standout was perfect on five extra points.

In the fourth, Nick Young ran the ball 63 yards, one carry for 26 yards and another for 15 yards. Lord and Caleb Uhi had TD runs of one and 99 yards.

Austin Bernard and Tom Barnett (41 yards, nine rushes) stood out on defense.

Yarmouth did a good job stopping the inside run, but had no answer for the passing game and the speed of Trenoweth.