BREWER – The Brewer Witches snapped a 10-year losing streak against the Belfast Lions with a 34-28 overtime victory in a Class B high school football showdown at Doyle Field Friday night.

The battle of the two 6-1 teams lived up to expectations.

Brewer senior captain Chris Cote gave the Witches the go-ahead touchdown in overtime on a fourth-and-one on the goal line on Senior Night. Cote had been questionable to return to the game after injuring his right shoulder in the first half with a pinched nerve.

The Brewer defense effectively shut down the Lions’ offense on the ensuing possession as a pass sailed out of the end zone on fourth down to secure the win for the Witches.

“We’ve been waiting so many years to beat Belfast,” said Cote. “We have a tremendous amount of confidence right now. Our defense just pulled through once again.”

The Witches had their chance in regulation to take the victory as they marched down the field on the back of their running game in the last minutes of regulation with the game tied at 28-all.

With nine seconds to go on the 12-yard line, Brewer passed into the back of the end zone where Belfast’s Colby Horne was able to grab the ball out of the hands of the Brewer wide receiver to send the game to overtime.

Junior Seth Emerson carried the ball 24 times for 209 yards and two touchdowns for 7-1 Brewer. Jeff Parenteau carried the ball 22 times for 100 yards and one touchdown for 6-2 Belfast. Parenteau also had an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to help pace the Lions.

“We made some crucial mistakes that got them a big jump momentum-wise,” said Belfast coach Butch Arthers. “Momentum means a lot in this game. They kept their momentum going.”

Belfast (6-2) 8 12 0 8 0-28

Brewer (7-1) 14 7 7 0 6-34

BREW-Emerson 34 run (kick failed)

BREW- Collins 1 run (Caldwell rush)

BELF- Welch 5 run (Parenteau rush)

BELF- Horne 5 run (kick blocked)

BREW- Rancourt 14 pass from Collins (Sutherland kick)

BELF- Parenteau 80 kick return (pass failed)

BELF- Gray 1 run (Collins pass to Gray)

BREW- Emerson 1 run (Sutherland kick)

BREW- Cote 1 run (rush failed)