PORTLAND – When it comes to state championships, Zak Ray has turned thievery into an art form.

It was only eight months ago that he began his postseason crime spree, when he stole the ball away in the waning seconds of the Class A state championship boys basketball game to start a memorable, game-winning play that will forever be etched in the minds of any who witnessed Bangor’s miraculous 57-56 upset of previously unbeaten Deering.

Saturday offered Ray another chance to star on the state title stage, this time outdoors on a beautiful afternoon at Fitzpatrick Stadium in the Class A state championship football game.

Bangor’s junior defensive back accounted for three of Bangor’s four interceptions.

Bangor’s secondary, which featured first-time starter Evan Martzial – another average-sized defensive back playing bigger than his 5-foot, 6-inch height – more than held its own against a Portland passing offense which had racked up 917 yards and 16 touchdowns while throwing just eight picks in the entire, 11-game season.

Ray’s grand larceny spree helped set up one Bangor score and thwart a prime scoring opportunity by Portland as the Rams won their fifth state title and first in 20 years with a 20-14 victory.

“I’ve never had three interceptions before. Well, maybe playing video games,” Ray said with a slight chuckle.

It looked as though Bangor’s secondary would have its work cut out for it against a tall, athletic Portland receiving corps which spreads the field and makes teams pay for single coverage mismatches.

Despite giving up four inches in some of the matchups he found himself thrust into, Ray more than held his own with three interceptions, three deflections, and two coverage incompletions. He did have one touchdown thrown against him, but only after the receiver wrestled the ball away from him in a struggle of WWF proportions.

Ray positioned himself perfectly in front of 6-2, 220-pound Portland tight end Will Hews as quarterback Scott Derrig delivered a high, arcing pass to the corner of the end zone from the Rams’ 33-yard line with 37 seconds left in the first half.

Ray jumped high in the air at the B-3 and caught the ball squarely in his chest with both hands, but Hews reached around, ripped the ball away with both hands, and then sort of staggered into the end zone.

“If they have to do that to beat you, we’re OK with that,” said Rams head coach Mark Hackett. “That kid made a great play to get that ball and Zak’s OK with that. He just makes plays. He loves to be out there playing.”

Except last fall, when he decided to forgo football to concentrate on his offseason basketball training. Ray was a sophomore transfer from Winslow who was still unfamiliar with his new school and the students who would become his good friends and teammates.

Ray, who played quarterback on Winslow’s freshman team, admitted he missed football. It didn’t take much urging from his friends to try out for the team this year.

Bangor’s left cornerback stands only 5-10 with a 160-pound frame, but he plays like he’s 6-4.

“He’s just got something,” Hackett said. ” He’s got springs, he’s got heart … He just plays way taller than he is.”

He also turns in way more big plays than bad ones:

. With 3:32 left in the first half, Ray intercepted Derrig for the second time in a three-minute span at the B-13 and returned the ball 26 yards to set up the Rams’ first score on a four-play drive.

. With just under three minutes left in the third quarter, Ray deflected an almost certain TD pass away from Portland’s Nick Nappi and into the end zone turf for a third-down incompletion with Portland on the Rams’ 5-yard line.

Seconds later Martzial did the same thing on fourth down against 6-2 wideout Trey Gadbois to end a huge Bulldog scoring threat. Linebacker Derrick Shain did Martzial one better and ended another big Portland threat by intercepting a pass over the middle on 3rd-and-5 from the B-9 early in the fourth quarter.

. With 3:35 left in the game, Ray pounded the next-to-last nail in Portland’s coffin by intercepting Derrig again on a first-down pass from the B-49. Ray caught it at the B-30 and the Rams went on a game-clinching offensive drive that ran out the clock.

RAMS 20, BULLDOGS 14

Bangor (12-0) 0 6 14 0?20

Portland (10-2) 7 7 0 0?14

P ? Nappi 40 pass from Derrig (McKoy kick)

B ? Prentiss 45 pass from Bombardier (kick failed)

P ? Hews 33 pass from Derrig (McKoy kick)

B ? Nickerson 1 run (rush failed)

B ? Nickerson 3 run (Nickerson rush)

Bangor Portland

First downs 15 10

Rushing att.-yards 62-274 21-65

Passing comp.-att. 2-5 9-24

Passing yards 50 166

Total yards 324 231

Punts-avg. 5-34.2 4-32.3

Fumbles-lost 3-1 3-1

Intercepted by 4 1

Penalties-yard 5-40 3-17

Rushing

Bangor: Nickerson 43-225, Bombardier 10-27, Johnson 7-20, Largay 2-2; Portland: Frye 9-26, Doughty 6-21, DuPerre 2-9, Derrig 4-9

Passing

Bangor: Bombardier 2-5-1-50; Portland: Derrig 9-24-4-166

Receiving

Bangor: Prentiss 2-50; Portland: Nappi 3-52, Hews 1-33, DuPerre 1-31, Doughty 1-28, Frye 2-22, O?Brion 1-0

A?6,000 (est.)