FAIRFIELD — On a night when the Lawrence High School football team’s offense wasn’t its sharpest, the Bulldogs’ defense was in top form.

While Lawrence committed four turnovers, the Bulldogs held Lewiston to 157 yards of offense, including just 46 in the second half, to take a 14-0 Pine Tree Conference Class A win at Keyes Field.

“It really wasn’t a pretty win, but we’ll take it,” Lawrence coach John Hersom said.

Lawrence (6-0) scored its only offensive touchdown with 5 minutes, 17 seconds left in the first quarter on Shaun Carroll, Jr.’s 3-yard run up the middle. Chad Martin’s extra point made it 7-0.

Josh Doolan returned a punt 40 yards for a touchdown with 9:47 left in the third quarter to give Lawrence a two-touchdown lead. The defense took it from there.

“I thought we had a great effort. All of us were getting after it 100 miles an hour, going out and making plays. It was really staying low and getting after it,” Lawrence defensive tackle Eriq Stewart said.

Lewiston’s Jeff Turcotte gained 99 yards on 26 carries, and the Bulldogs stopped the Blue Devils (3-3) for no gain or negative yards 10 times. In the second quarter, Stewart sacked Lewiston quarterback Chris Madden, causing a fumble that was recovered by Lawrence’s Nick Routhier.

“We kind of harped on them all week about not giving up the big play, because (Lewiston’s) been a big-play offense,” Hersom said. “The guys up front, they each did an outstanding job.”

Still, Lewiston stayed in the game, thanks to four Lawrence turnovers. Kevin St. Pierre’s recovery at the Lawrence 38 early in the second quarter set up the Blue Devils with great field position. Lewiston moved the ball to the Bulldogs’ 8, but Stewart’s sack of Madden and Routheir’s fumble recovery ended the Blue Devils’ best drive.

“The fumbles in the first half didn’t come at a good time. I don’t think they ever do, but it kept us from taking care of the football and getting down into the red zone where we could possibly get a couple more scores in the first half,” Hersom said.

Madden was sacked again late in the second quarter and was injured. Steve Hinkley was under center for Lewiston during the second half.

“I was proud of the way my kids played. We had some fight in us tonight,” Lewiston coach Bill County said. “We’ve had a couple of weeks where we didn’t play up to expectations, and I thought tonight we played a pretty physical football game, and we were back to playing football like I think we can.”

Josh Doolan hurt his right hamstring on his touchdown return and left the game, and his twin brother Jake suffered a head injury. Carroll led the Bulldogs with 121 yards on 19 carries despite a groin injury.

Travis Lazarczyk — 861-9242

[email protected]