Bucks will try to shut down Jay passing attack Teams to battle for state championship at 6 p.m.

One team features an aggressive defensive and a prolific rushing attack.

The other team features an aggressive defense and a prolific passing attack.

Both Bucksport and Jay are undefeated, but only one will stay that way when they meet for the Class C football state championship at 6 p.m. Saturday at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland.

Both finalists are looking to end lengthy state championship dry spells. Bucksport is back in the state final for the second time in four years, but is looking for its first title since 1983. For Jay, the wait has been longer. The Tigers last played in a state final in 1991, and is in search of its first championship since 1977.

Motivation is not hard to find on either side.

“The kids are all excited,” said 11th-year Bucksport coach Joel Sankey, whose team advanced by defeating Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln 22-0 and defending state champion Foxcroft Academy 26-25 last Saturday. “We asked them on Monday if they were satisfied or if they had one more game in them, and to a man they’re ready to go.”

Bucksport’s primary challenge is to deal with the wide-open Jay passing attack directed by senior quarterback Justin Wells. A three-year starter, Wells has completed 121 of 207 passes for 1,890 yards with 19 touchdowns and just three interceptions from a spread offense that typically has at least three receivers in the single-back formation.

“He’s a very good quarterback,” said Sankey, “and they’ve got four or five really skilled kids to throw to.”

That receiving corps includes Ryan DiPompo (43 receptions, 710 yards, six TDs), Andrew Deering (40-577) and wingback Joel Ouellette (21-367). Sophomore Trevor McCourt leads the Tigers’ ground game with 12 rushing touchdowns.

Bucksport’s defense features heavy hitters in John Harvey, Bryce Babson and Deven Eaton, linemen Travis Tolman and Cody Wilson and safety Joey Carmichael, also the team’s starting quarterback.

“You can go two ways,” said Sankey, who drew some comparisons between Jay’s offense and the pass-oriented Rockland attack the Golden Bucks faced and defeated during the regular season. “You can change everything, or you can stick with what you do and do the best you can. That’s what we’re going to do, and try to put some pressure on [Wells].”

While Bucksport must cope with Jay’s passing attack, Jay must cope with Bucksport’s ground game, particularly 2,400-yard senior tailback Nick Tymoczko and backfield mate Harvey, a bruising blocker and the team’s top receiver.

“Those backs are as good as anyone we’ve seen,” said third-year Jay coach Mark Bonnevie. “With Tymoczko, there were definitely a few times I saw him on video when I didn’t want to rewind and have to watch him again. He has great speed and cutback ability. With Harvey, on one play he’ll line up at fullback and run a 25-yard trap play, and the next play he’ll line up at wide receiver and catch a 30-yard touchdown pass.”

Jay’s defensive strength rests in its linebacking corps, a quick contingent featuring McCourt, Ryan Bourassa and Shane Gagnon. The Tigers yielded just 49 points during the regular season before defeating Boothbay 34-20 and Livermore Falls 14-13 to win the Western C title.

“We’ve put together a game plan to go against them,” said Sankey. “We’d like to try and limit the number of times they have the ball, and if we can run the ball against them, that will help. We just want to go out and play a physical game, right from the opening kickoff to the final play.”