Deering shuts out Dragons

PORTLAND – Senior tailback Joey Marsh rushed for 222 yards and three touchdowns as Deering of Portland defeated Brunswick 28-0 at Fitzpatrick Stadium on Saturday to win its first state Class A football championship since 1959.

Brunswick, the Eastern Maine champion, had a chance to take an early lead, but was stopped on fourth-and-goal at the 1 late in the first quarter.

Deering then drove 99 yards in 14 plays to take a 7-0 lead on a 19-yard run by Marsh midway through the second quarter.

Deering (12-0) capitalized on three Brunswick turnovers to break the game open in the second half. Marsh scored on a 6-yard run after an interception by teammate Adam Bishop at midfield, and added a 32-yard scoring run after a fumble recovery by Chris Arich. Brunswick then fumbled the ensuing kickoff, leading to a 1-yard scoring run by senior fullback Ryan Reid early in the fourth quarter.

Deering didn’t allow 10-2 Brunswick past midfield after the first-quarter goal-line stand, and limited Dragons fullback Phil Warren to 24 rushing yards on 17 carries.

Brunswick (10-2) 0 0 0 0 – 0

Deering (12-0) 0 7 14 7 – 28

D-Marsh 19 run (Exley kick)

D-Marsh 6 run (Exley kick)

D-Marsh 32 run (Exley kick)

D-Reid 1 run (Exley kick)