On Friday, Lawrence beat Hampden, 45-18, for its first win of the season. It was by far Lawrence’s best game of the season, particularly on offense, where the Bulldogs have struggled. Entering Friday’s win, Lawrence had not scored more than 16 points in a game.

Walker Thomas ran for three touchdowns while quarterback Braden Ballard threw two touchdown passes — to Tyler Larouche and Seth Powers. Larouche also ran for a score.

“Our execution on offense was quite a bit better. We still have a lot of room for improvement, as far as the run blocking, but at least we gave our quarterback time to look for receivers and he threw the ball pretty well and our receivers made those catches,” Lawrence coach John Hersom said. “That was uplifting, especially where we’ve been pretty stagnant most of the season. We’ve got to build on (that) this week, and hopefully we can continue to improve.”

Hersom and his staff have seen some improvement, and in scouting Hampden felt the Bulldogs would be able to move the ball on the Broncos (1-4).

“We made that the emphasis of the week, to get our offense up and going. We knew if we just played defense the way that we’d been, we’d have a decent showing. We had some enthusiasm throughout the week, with homecoming. I think that helped a little bit, too,” Hersom said.

Lawrence closes the regular season with games against Gardiner (1-4), Nokomis (0-5) and Messalonskee (3-2). The Bulldogs are still in the hunt for the Pine Tree Conference Class B playoffs, but may have to win all three remaining games. For now, the team is getting ready to face Gardiner on Friday.

“We just kind of focus on ourselves, and take each week as a new challenge. We know Gardiner’s a good opponent for us, and I’m sure they’ll give us a great game. We’ve got to be ready,” Hersom said.

• • •

Prior to Friday’s homecoming win over Waterville, Madison gave tribute to former head football coach Art Rudman, who died last week. Rudman coached the Bulldogs from 1981 to 1986, leading Madison to the state championship in 1982.

Madison head coach Scott Franzose and assistant coach Mike Whalen both played for Rudman.

“I’ve said it a million times, (Rudman) was like a father figure. He was a guy you played for, you just didn’t want to disappoint. He’s meant so much to us. It’s the passing of a great man. I’m sorry for his family,” Franzose said.

Rudman was followed by his son, Carl, as head coach of the Bulldogs. Carl Rudman coached Madison from 1987 to 1994, winning state championships in 1988, 1989 and 1994. In 2012, Madison dedicated its football field to Art and Carl Rudman, naming the facility Rudman Field.

• • •

Madison picked up a key win on Friday, beating Waterville. The victory snapped a two-game losing skid, and the Bulldogs (3-2) are now in fourth place in the Big Ten Conference standings.

Madison’s next two games are against the teams just ahead of them in the standings. The Bulldogs host Mt. Desert Island (4-1) on Friday, and play at Old Town (5-0) on Oct. 16.

“Two of the top teams. MDI is going to be a tough, physical test. I like that we’re getting them at home next week,” Franzose said. “Old Town, too. I tell the guys we’ve got to take it one day at a time, so we’ve got to get back to work. It’s all about improvement every week.”

• • •

Like Madison, Mount View broke a two-game losing streak with an impressive win this week. The Mustangs beat Medomak Valley, 46-7, on Saturday. While Medomak Valley is a first-year varsity program, the Panthers won their first four games this season.

Mount View (3-2) is in fourth place in the Little Ten Conference standings, but for playoff purposes, the Mustangs are in third. Third-place Medomak Valley is playing down a class and is ineligible for the playoffs. The top six teams in the league will go to the playoffs. The top two, currently Maine Central Institute (5-0) and Mattanawcook Academy (4-1) earn byes to the semifinals. Mount View has road games against Bucksport (2-3) and Mattanawcook the next two weeks before closing the regular season at home against Washington Academy (1-4).

“They are (big games). We’ve got to do well,” Mount View coach Haggie Pratt said. “We’re looking good, as far as playoffs go. But we’ve never beaten Bucksport, and I don’t think we’ve beaten Mattanawcook. We need to play our best.”

• • •

Around the state: Winslow’s winning streak is now 16 games. The Black Raiders have scored a state-high 266 points, and allowed just 27. Only MCI has allowed fewer points, 18 not including this weekend’s 40-12 win over Hyde in an exhibition game… The Class B South standings could see a shakeup in the next two weeks. Defending state champion Marshwood (4-1) plays Kennebunk (5-0) this week and Falmouth (5-0) on Oct. 16. Those are the two teams currently ahead of Marshwood in the Crabtree Point standings… Cape Elizabeth and Yarmouth are the last two undefeated teams in Class C South, but there’s no guarantee they’ll both be unbeaten for their showdown game on Oct. 16. Cape Elizabeth plays at Gray-New Gloucester (4-1) this week, while Yarmouth travels to Spruce Mountain (3-2).

Travis Lazarczyk — 861-9242

tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @TLazarczykMTM