KENNEBUNK — In a game between the last two unbeaten football teams in Class B South, both Kennebunk and Deering learned something important Friday night as they enter the second half of the regular season.
Kennebunk learned that, despite a 28-6 win over Deering, it has to take much better care of the football. The hosts pulled away despite turning the ball over four times.
“Last week, we had five (turnovers, in a 35-0 win at Westbrook). This week, we had four. We’ve got to eliminate those, because it’s definitely an Achilles’ heel for us right now,” Kennebunk Coach Keith Noel said. “That’s something we’ll be stressing over the next couple of weeks, for sure.”
Deering (3-1) learned that while off to its best start in years, it needs to be able to match an opponent who embraces smash-mouth football, like Kennebunk (4-0) did Friday night.
“They got physical with us, and we haven’t seen that level of physicality yet this year. Now that we’ve seen it, I hope that maybe we can start to play like that a little more,” Deering Coach Brendan Scully said.
Kennebunk gained 279 yards, with all but 11 coming on the ground. Jonah Barstow led the way with 204 yards on 16 carries, including touchdown runs of 34 and 44 yards. Austin West added 44 yards on 10 carries.
“That’s the game of football. That’s the fun part,” Barstow said.
Kennebunk’s defense held Deering to 138 yards, all but eight on the ground. Deering was able to move the ball in the first quarter, but like Kennebunk struggled with turnovers. Deering’s first two drives ended with a lost fumble.
“Right now, they’re the best in B South, and you can’t make mistakes. We’re a younger team, kind of learning, and they learned if you make mistakes against a very good team, you’re going to pay for it,” Scully said.
Barstow’s 34-yard touchdown run gave Kennebunk a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter, and Brady Stone’s 10-yard run to the right corner on fourth-and-5 with 1:25 left in the second made it 14-0.
Deering took advantage of one of Kennebunk’s turnovers in the first minute of the fourth quarter. Corbin Burke returned an interception 60 yards to the 20. Five plays later, Deering quarterback Tavian Lauture snuck into the end zone on fourth-and-goal from inside the 1, cutting Kennebunk’s lead to 14-6.
Deering’s momentum was short-lived. West returned the ensuring kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown.
Barstow added his second touchdown with 3:11 to play.
“Our defense held it down tonight. Very physical, didn’t get tired, and they did a beautiful job,” Barstow said. “Under seven points on the board, that’s what we like to see.”
Joey Foley led Deering with 58 yards on 17 carries, while Lauture added 38 yards on 14 carries.
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