WINSLOW – The LTC Class B football nay-sayers were out in force last week after hearing that Winslow had lost to Kennebunk.

Words such as “overrated,” and “fluke” were tossed in the Black Raiders’ general direction.

Today, Winslow’s name is likely to be spoken in phrases with more familiar terms like “title contender,” and “league favorite.”

Coach Mike Siviski’s Black Raiders turned in a performance Saturday that should leave no doubt about their status in LTC Class B.

Senior tailback Peter Cheesman rushed for 203 yards and four touchdowns as Winslow beat Old Town 33-13 in its Homecoming game at Poulin Field.

“As poorly as we played last week, we were ready [today],” Siviski said. “Defensively, I was very proud. That’s by far our best effort of the year.”

Cheesman, who missed the Kennebunk game with a strained right knee, was determined to make sure 4-1 Winslow proved it is among Class B’s best.

“We were all fired up, because everybody thought we were a fluke at 3-0 and not really that decent, that we didn’t play any good teams,” Cheesman said. “Everybody thought Old Town was the team to beat, so we wanted to show everybody that we’re for real.”

Cheesman carried 33 times, benefiting from a strong effort by the Winslow offensive line. Tackles John Cyrus and Ricky Browning, guards Mark Pooler and Eric Taylor, and center Jim Farrell were the mainstays.

Holding a 20-13 lead, the Raiders capitalized on consecutive Old Town turnovers in the fourth quarter to end the suspense. Winslow controlled the line of scrimmage and the football while piling up 286 rushing yards.

The Raiders, who ran 63 offensive plays, held Old Town tailback Peter Baker to 128 yards, 80 of which came on a second-quarter touchdown jaunt.

“We went to basic defense,” defensive end Taylor said. “Our main aspect was to maintain Baker, basically. We kept him inside.”

Coach Ian Braun’s 3-2 Indians hung close, but were unable to generate much offense (53 yards) in the second half.

“We never had the ball in the second half, and we kept turning it over when we had it,” Braun said.

“That was the key to the second half. We could not stop them defensively,” he added. “I think we were in position, but you’ve got to tackle.”

Winslow broke a 13-13 tie on its first possession of the second half. Cheesman netted 42 of the 58 yards on the 10-play drive, including a 6-yard TD run at the 6:51 mark.

Old Town, which punted on its first series of the half, turned the ball over on downs on its next try.

Sparked by Cheesman runs of 20 and 19 yards, Winslow needed only six plays to go 58 yards for a score.

The Raiders put it away 1:37 later after Taylor sacked Belyea, causing him to fumble. Jeremy Lizzotte (73 yards) had the 4-yard TD run with 5:18 left.

Linebacker Lizzotte paced the Winslow defense with nine tackles, while Shawn Beckwith and Taylor had six each. Strong safety Jared Foster led Old Town with 11 tackles, while Seth Holmes, Brian DeGrasse and Baker were in on 10 each.

Winslow scored on its first possession, a 59-yard drive capped by Cheesman’s 2-yard run. The game remained close only after Old Town made back-to-back defensive stands deep in its own territory early in the second quarter.

On the first, a Patrick Bard pass fell incomplete on fourth-and-one from the 7-yard line. The Raiders got another chance when Belyea fumbled at the Old Town 10, but Sean Bridges’ 25-yard field goal sailed wide left.

The Indians seized the momentum on the next play as Baker burst through the middle and up the left side for an 80-yard touchdown.

However, Todd Carter’s 34-yard kickoff return set up a 45-yard scoring run by Cheesman only 57 seconds later.

Old Town responded with its best drive of the day. Baker and Alger Yanush shared the running chores as the Indians drove 70 yards on 14 plays. Yanush scored from nine yards out with 1:28 left to make it 13-13.

Black Raiders 33, Indians 13

Old Town (3-2) 0 13 0 0 – 13

Winslow (4-1) 7 6 7 13 – 33

W – Cheesman 2 run (Bridges kick)

OT – Baker 80 run (Belyea kick)

W – Cheesman 45 run (kick failed)

OT – Yanush 9 run (kick failed)

W – Cheesman 6 run (Bridges kick)

W – Cheesman 2 run (Bridges kick)

W – Lizzotte 4 run (kick failed)

Old Town Winslow

First downs 9 17 Rushing att. – yds 37-175 53-286 Passing cmp. – att. 2-8 3-10 Yards passing 33 13 Total yards 208 299 Intercepted by 1 1 Punts – avg. 3-34.3 2-19.5 Fumbles – lost 3-2 3-1 Penalties – yds 3-35 6-45

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING – Old Town: Baker 16-128, Yanush 11-47, Brown 5-28, Belyea 5-(-23); Winslow: Cheesman 33-203, Lizzotte 16-73, Higgins 2-14, Bard 2-(-4)

PASSING – Old Town: Belyea 2-8-33-1; Winslow: Bard 3-10-13-1

RECEIVING – Old Town: Cote 1-18, Baker 1-15; Winslow: Higgis 1-10, Carter 1-7, Lizzotte 1-(-3)