Smith sparks Broncos QB rushes for 3 TDs, throws for 1 as Hampden rolls

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HAMPDEN – Their 2007 playoff hopes dashed in great part by a frustrating loss at Maranacook of Readfield, the Hampden Academy Broncos needed just one offensive play to let the Black Bears know things would be different this year.

Senior quarterback Shawn Smith took Hampden’s first snap from center and raced 50 yards around right end for the first of his three rushing touchdowns as the Broncos cruised a 46-0 Pine Tree Conference Class B victory over Maranacook at the Weatherbee School complex on Friday night.

“I think that play gave us the huge boost that we needed just to set the tone of the game, and it kind of knocked them down a little,” said Smith, who rushed for 122 yards on eight carries and also threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to Justin Rodgerson.

Hampden improved to 2-0 with a dominant two-way performance against an undermanned Maranacook team – the Black Bears’ top offensive threat, Pat Norwood, was limited by an ankle injury and starting quarterback James Mrazik suffered a shoulder injury late in the first half.

Hampden amassed 305 total yards to just 35 for the 0-2 Black Bears, with Maranacook held to minus-23 yards after intermission.

Rodney Murray and Nathan Rocker each forced a fumble for the Broncos’ defense, with Michael Jenkins returning Rocker’s play 15 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. Tyler Poll also recovered a fumble, while Rodgerson and Nolan Turner each had a pass interception.

“We knew they were real fast, a good cutback team,” said Jenkins, “so that’s what we focused on in practice.”

Smith’s first touchdown came less than two minutes into the contest, after Hampden’s defense had held Maranacook without a first down on its first possession.

Smith took the first-down snap at midfield and immediately raced to his right until a key block by Turner enabled him to turn the corner. Smith shook off a tackler at the 30, then sped into the end zone to give the Broncos a 6-0 lead.

“We thought the stretch play would hurt them outside,” said Smith, who added the two-point conversion to extend the margin to 8-0. “So we started with it and it worked. We had good blocking up front, and a good hole and we scored on it.”

A short Maranacook punt set up Hampden for its second touchdown, with Smith sneaking in from the 2 to cap off a five-play, 36 yard drive with 4:33 left in the half.

The Broncos scored the back-breaker moments later, after Turner intercepted a Mrazik pass in the right flat and returned it 21 yards to the Maranacook 41.

Smith cashed in on the next play, looking over the middle and finding Rodgerson wide open for another Hampden touchdown with 1:24 left in the half. Spencer Ranger’s extra-point kick gave the Broncos a 21-0 lead at the break.

“We had talked about me checking down guys and trying to get the safety to move around a little,” said Smith. “That’s what I did, and I think the safety cheated a little and I threw over the top of him and [Rodgerson] was open.”

Smith scored on an 11-yard run on Hampden’s first possession of the second half, then Maranacook quarterback Corey Palmer fumbled while being sacked by Rocker and Jenkins picked up the loose ball and scored to make it 33-0.

“I thought I was going to get the sack actually,” said Jenkins. “I was glad I didn’t.”

Jenkins added a 12-yard rushing touchdown run later in the period, and Alex Cust capped off the scoring with a 7-yard fourth-quarter run.

Hampden returns to action next Friday night with its stiffest test of the season to date at home against Gardiner.

“They’re the state champs, so we’re going to have to be ready,” said Hampden coach Harry McCluskey. “That’s going to be a tough task. We’ve just got to get better every week, that’s what it’s all about.”

eclark@bangordailynews.net

990-8045

BRONCOS 46, BLACK BEARS 0

Maranacook (0-2) 0 0 0 0 – 0

Hampden Acad. (2-0) 8 13 18 7 – 46

HA-Smith 50 run (Smith rush)

HA-Smith 2 run (kick failed)

HA-Rodgerson 41 pass from Smith (Ranger kick)

HA-Smith 11 run (kick failed)

HA-Jenkins 15 fumble return (kick failed)

HA-Jenkins 12 run (kick failed)

HA-Cust 7 run (Miller kick)

Maranacook Hampden

First downs 5 16

Rushing att.-yards 34-27 39-239

Passing comp.-att. 2-12 3-7

Passing yards 8 66

Total yards 35 305

Punts-avg. 5-21.2 2-32.5

Fumbles-lost 8-2 1-1

Intercepted by 0 2

Penalties-yards 2-10 1-15

Rushing

Maranacook: Hewett 10-17, H. Norwood 4-14, Palmer 11-5, Ogren 2-2, Crandall 1-(minus-1), Mrazik 1-(minus-4), P. Norwood 5-(minus-6); Hampden: Smith 8-122, Jenkins 4-26, Haws 6-19, McKechnie 4-16, Blake 4-16, Cust 2-14, Ross 4-11, Turner 6-9, Becker 1-6

Passing

Maranacook: Mrazik 2-9-2-8; Palmer 0-3-0-0; Hampden: Smith 3-7-0-66

Receiving

Maranacook: Palmer 2-8; Hampden: Rodgerson 2-55, Turner 1-11

A-350 (est.)