FAIRFIELD — Lawrence scored in the final minute of the second quarter to take the lead for good, then capitalized on a pair of big defensive plays in the third quarter to take a 40-14 win over Bangor in the Pine Tree Conference Class A championship game.

Lawrence, now 11-0, will face either Cheverus or Thornton Academy next Saturday in the Class A state championship game at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland, at a time to be determined. Bangor ends the season at 8-3.

It will be Lawrence’s first trip to the state championship since 2007.

“It feels like it was just a while ago. Now that you think about it, it’s been a little while,” Lawrence coach John Hersom said. “We’re really excited about it. The kids have done a great job all season long, hanging in there.”

Aaron LaFrance caught a 32-yard touchdown pass from Alex Leathers with 27 seconds left in the first half to give the Bulldogs a 21-14 lead.

In the third quarter, after Chris Doyon caused a fumble with his sack of Bangor quarterback Carl Farnham, Bryant Wade scooped up the ball and ran 42 yards for a touchdown and a 27-14 Lawrence lead.

“Chris Doyon was on a blitz and smashed him,” Wade said. “I’m not the fastest person. I was just running for my life.”

After Bangor fumbled on the first play of the next possession, the Bulldogs went 43 yards in six plays, scoring on Shaun Carroll, Jr.’s 4-yard run.

Carroll gained a game-high 183 yards on 23 carries, and scored three touchdowns, including a 65-yard run that gave Lawrence a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.

“I had a huge hole and I just took it, took advantage of it. I knew if I got any opening, I could provide for my team and score,” Carroll scored.

Cody Chapman ran for 85 yards for Bangor, and scored a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter. Chapman’s second touchdown run, a 1-yard plunge, tied the game at 14-14 with 2:33 left in the first half.