Biddeford Overcomes Cheverus in Playoff Rematch

Maine high school football entered the playoff quarterfinals on Friday night, with the Class B South bracket offering a direct rematch between the Tigers and the Beavers.

Stanley Richerson ran for three touchdowns as third-seeded Biddeford defeated sixth-seeded Cheverus, 35-20, in Biddeford.

The result avenges a lopsided regular season loss. Cheverus beat Biddeford 44-8 in the final week of the regular season, a win that earned the Beavers a playoff berth but cost the Tigers a semifinal bye.

The Tigers controlled the first half of the playoff game. Richerson opened the scoring with a 79-yard run. He added a 12-yard touchdown on the first play of the second quarter. Estevao Lembissa then ran 6 yards for a score, extending the Biddeford lead to 21-0.

Richerson struck again on the opening drive of the second quarter. He broke several tackles on the way to a 24-yard touchdown. Cheverus attempted to respond in the third quarter. Colton Jewett returned the kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown. Lembissa answered with a 44-yard run to keep the margin comfortable.

The Beavers added two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Nick Deschambault and Igor Bitencourt both scored on runs. The final score reflected the closer competition of the playoff game compared to the regular season meeting.

Biddeford improves to 6-3 overall. Cheverus finishes the season 3-6. The Tigers will visit second-seeded Kennebunk next weekend for the semifinal.

Other results in the Friday slate included a 48-7 victory for fourth-seeded Fryeburg Academy over fifth-seeded Messalonskee in the Class B North bracket. Lars Bruhn scored three touchdowns for the Raiders. Fryeburg will face No. 1 Lawrence in the semifinals.

Top-seeded Old Orchard Beach remained undefeated, beating fourth-seeded Maranacook 42-0 in the Small South eight-man bracket. Brayden Koelker scored three touchdowns for the Seagulls. Matthew Charron threw three touchdown passes. The Seagulls will advance to their fifth consecutive regional final. Windham defeated Deering 19-0 in Portland, while Thornton Academy beat Massabesic 35-0 in Waterboro. Yarmouth also won, defeating Gray-New Gloucester 52-6 in the Large South eight-man semifinal.