Much of Bangor High’s football success this season can be attributed to a punishing rushing attack featuring a big, talented offensive line doing the heavy lifting for junior tailback Nick Payson, who has gained 1,384 yards.

But Bangor’s physical nature doesn’t end along the line of scrimmage. After all, Ricky Dexter, the Rams’ starting fullback, used to play there.

“I know the [Dallas] Cowboys always said when you run an I formation if you don’t have a stud for a fullback you’re not going to be able to run certain plays,” said Bangor coach Mark Hackett. “The reason we’ve been successful all season, and the last couple of games in particular, is because of the way Ricky’s blocked and because of how tough and consistent he is.”

Dexter rushed for just 21 yards on four carries in Bangor’s 39-14 Pine Tree Conference Class A semifinal victory at Gardiner last Friday. But his blocking – as well as that of the interior linemen, tight end Aaron Gallant, wideout Anthony DeRosa and wingback T.J. Vanidestine – was pivotal in the Rams churning out 405 rushing yards against the top-seeded Tigers.

For Dexter, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound senior, his football philosophy is basic, whether it’s as a lead blocker on offense or the team’s leading tackler on defense from his linebacker slot.

“Just hit and git,” he said.

Dexter’s high school career reflects his offensive versatility. He played quarterback until the end of his sophomore season, when he initially shifted to fullback. As a junior, he moved to guard, but during the off-season he prepared for a shift back to his favorite position.

“I wanted to play fullback, that was the position I wanted to play,” said Dexter, who with Gallant attended a summer camp at Harvard to hone his backfield skills. “I learned a lot about fullback. It was mostly skills, no hitting or pads or anything, it was fun.”

Dexter opened the season at fullback, but when Bangor lost starting tight end Neal Russell to a broken arm in a Week 3 win against Mt. Blue of Farmington, the Rams turned to him to fill that gap.

The Rams lost their next game, a 44-8 drubbing at Skowhegan, the team Bangor will host in the Eastern A championship game Friday night.

Dexter then was moved back to fullback and Gallant switched to tight end, and Bangor is 6-0 since then and 9-1 overall.

“Aaron did a good job at fullback,” said Hackett. “But I think with Ricky’s physical presence – he is a blocking fullback -we weren’t the same team without him at fullback.”

Gallant also has stood out at tight end for the Rams, particularly as a blocker in helping Payson get to the outside, which he did on a number of occasions last week while rushing for 280 yards and five touchdowns on 37 carries.

“Aaron probably had as good a blocking game against Gardiner as we’ve had at tight end since I’ve been here,” said Hackett. “He’s a tailback, he’s a fullback and now he’s a tight end. His willingness to do whatever it takes to win is what makes him able to do that. It’s just his heart and desire. He’s not going to be put down, he’s just going to get it done.”

Hackett uses the same words to describe Dexter, who has played wherever he’s been needed for the past four years.

“The thing that makes us very fortunate as a coaching staff is that these kids don’t care who’s getting the accolades,” Hackett said. “Sure, they’d all like the ball, but when it gets down to it all they want to do is win, and maybe that’s why we’re still playing.”

Aldus shines in Lions’ finale

It wasn’t the way Josh Aldus wanted to finish his high school football career – save for a trip to next summer’s Lobster Bowl – but the Belfast High standout went down battling during the Lions’ 49-24 loss at Winslow in their Pine Tree Conference Class B semifinal Saturday.

Aldus rushed for 194 yards and three touchdowns, including 15 carries for 137 yards in the second half, after Winslow had built a 42-6 lead.

The performance enabled the tailback to conclude his senior season with 1,725 rushing yards – more than double any other rusher in the PTC B ranks – along with 28 touchdowns and 192 total points.

“Josh obviously is very special,” said Belfast co-coach Butch Richards. “Even though he’s not huge, he gets a lot of yards on his own through determination and the desire to do it. If you look at Josh’s eyes during a game, you can see that his will to win and his desire to do the right thing is very evident.”

Aldus’ big senior season came as no surprise, given that he rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a junior in helping Belfast win the 2003 Class B state championship. But in addition to his rushing and defensive exploits this fall, he also took on a leadership role for a more youthful Lions’ squad.

“A year ago when he had a great year, he was a junior, and I don’t think he felt it was his team,” said Richards. “He obviously carried the ball 50 or 60 percent of the time, but I think this year mentally he felt that it was his team. He put a lot of the burden on himself, a lot on his shoulders to show that it was his team, and to do the right things. He did a great job.”

Football around the state

Just two of last year’s six state finalists still have a chance to make a return trip to Portland’s Fitzpatrick Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 20.

Reigning Class C state champion Foxcroft Academy (9-1) will be seeking its third consecutive Eastern Maine title Saturday when it plays at undefeated Bucksport (10-0). The Ponies lost to Boothbay in the 2002 state final, but defeated Lisbon to win the 2003 Class C crown. The Foxcroft-Bucksport EM final will be a rematch of the 2001 championship game, won by the Golden Bucks in overtime.

The other team with a chance to return to Championship Saturday is defending Western B titlist Gorham. The Rams (9-1) will host Mountain Valley of Rumford (9-1) in its regional final.

Gorham, which is expected to move up to Class A next year due to increasing enrollment, will be trying to avenge a 24-14 regular-season loss at Mountain Valley. Mountain Valley boasts Class B’s longest current win streak, nine games since a season-opening loss to York.

Saturday’s Western A final pits unbeaten Bonny Eagle of West Buxton against sixth-seeded Portland. Bonny Eagle has been the Southern Maine Activities Association’s dominant team, routing defending state champion Deering of Portland 40-7 in last Saturday’s semifinals. Portland (7-3) also is on a roll, having won six straight games, including last Saturday’s 27-7 win against No. 2 Noble of North Berwick.

Bonny Eagle defeated Portland 41-12 during the regular season.

The road trip will be shortest in Western C, where No. 2 Livermore Falls makes the trip next door to undefeated Jay. These teams met just two weeks ago, with Jay earning a 28-14 victory to end the regular season. Jay advanced last weekend with a 34-20 semifinal victory over Boothbay, while Livermore Falls dethroned defending Western C champion Lisbon 28-6.

Ernie Clark can be reached at 990-8045, 1-800-310-8600 or eclark@bangordailynews.net