BUCKSPORT – An explosive first-half offense and an overpowering second-half defense led the Bucksport Golden Bucks to a 25-0 victory over the Mattanawcook Academy Lynx in an LTC Class C semifinal Friday night.

It was Bucksport’s ninth straight win and they will face Foxcroft Academy next weekend for the regional title.

The rushing tandem of Rustin Ames and Warren Chase rolled in the first half for two touchdowns each. Ames got the Golden Bucks up early with a 60-yard run up the middle after breaking a pair of tackles. Ames struck again in the first quarter, this time with a 27-yard run. He finished the day with 19 carries for 170 yards.

Chase notched his two scores in the second quarter on runs of 28 yards and 1 yard, respectively. He finished with seven carries for 59 yards.

The Bucksport defense protected the lead well in the second half, holding the Lynx to minus-9 yards, and 60 total yards for the game. Kyle Milan led the defense with 10 tackles and a fumble recovery in the third quarter.

Chris Atherton had three tackles and three sacks for the Golden Bucks. Josh Ames contributed three tackles and an interception in the second quarter that he returned 68 yards to set up the first Chase touchdown. Tyler Libby had 11 tackles for the Lynx, while John Carney blocked two extra-point attempts for 5-5 Mattanawcook.

The Bucksport defense has not allowed a score in 18 quarters of play. They last gave up a touchdown in the second quarter of their game against Foxcroft Academy 41/2 weeks ago.

Mattanawcook (5-5) 0 0 0 0-0

Bucksport (9-1) 12 13 0 0-25

B- Ames 60 run (kick blocked)

B- Ames 27 run (rush failed)

B- Chase 28 run (LaLonde kick)

B- Chase 1 run (kick blocked)

Indians 14, Cougars 0

At Farmington, the Indians scored two second-half touchdowns to advance to the PTC final next weekend against Bangor.

Cole Quirion caught a five-yard pass from B.J. Dunlap in the third quarter for Skowhegan’s first touchdown. Josh Meyer came back in the fourth quarter for the winners when he scored on a 1-yard run.

Skowhegan (6-4) 0 0 6 8-14

Mt. Blue (7-3) 0 0 0 0-0

S- Quirion 5 pass from Dunlap (rush failed)

S- Meyer 1 run (Carey pass from Dunlap)