Livermore Falls reached an emotional crossroads on Oct. 10. The Andies had outplayed Leavitt, only to lose the game 14-7.

The young Andies slipped to 2-3 on the season and saw their playoff hopes fading fast.

“I came right out and told the kids we might as well forget about the playoffs,” admitted sixth-year head coach Jim Hersom. “I didn’t think we had a ghost of a chance of making it.”

The Andies hadn’t played with the intensity and drive for which their program has been known. Prior to their next game against Mountain Valley, the players decided that wouldn’t happen again.

“The kids made a commitment that they were going to play as hard as they possibly could for the last three games,” Hersom said. “They decided to start playing for some pride.”

Livermore Falls’ pride has shone through in the last five weeks. It also has led to three straight wins that earned the Andies a playoff spot.

In the past two weeks, Livermore Falls has posted postseason victories over Lisbon (10-8) and Old Orchard Beach (7-6) to earn a spot in Saturday’s Class C state title game against Stearns of Millinocket at Cameron Stadium in Bangor (1 p.m.).

It has been a remarkable season for the Andies, who came into the 1992 season with an inexperienced crew with only four lettermen. Livermore Falls (7-3) is small, but scrappy, and has displayed a knack for winning close, pressure-packed games.

“I guess we didn’t think we could ever be here in this position, but we are,” Hersom said. “We thought this would be a building year, for sure. These kids have just come so far.”

The Andies have been steadily building toward a championship appearance behind a stingy defense and a ball-control offense. Livermore Falls has given up only 11.5 points per game. Four of its last five wins have come by four points or less.

“We’re just hanging in there,” Hersom said. “We seem to find a way to win.”

The Andies usually go with an eight-man front and dare opponents to throw. The secondary has been equal to the challenge.

Junior linebacker Adam Castonguay leads the team with 140 tackles, while senior defensive linemen and co-captains Brian Berry and Pierre Castonguay, senior linebacker Billy Visconti, and senior defensive end Tim Kennison and junior DE Dave Polky have been key contributors.

Despite fielding a team which is not physically imposing, Livermore Falls has won with quickness and tenacity. Offensively, the Andies have relied on ball control while grinding out victories.

“Our strength is our running game, there’s no question about that,” Hersom said. “The offensive line has really come on very well over the last few ballgames.”

Seniors Berry and Pierre Castonguay anchor the line, which has opened good holes for TB Adam Castonguay (800-plus yards), FB Polky (600+) and Visconti (500+). The Andies have shown good balance and a handful of different formations. Junior Brian Gerry has improved steadily at QB.

Livermore Falls has averaged only 14 ppg, but the defense has held up its end of the bargain.