WINTHROP — The top-seeded Winthrop/Monmouth football team came out a little flat in its Class D quarterfinal playoff game Friday night against No. 8 Telstar, understandable since the Ramblers haven’t been tested in a month.

Midway through the first quarter they regained their focus, established their offense and proceeded to dominate the Rebels as expected. In a game essentially over by halftime, Winthrop/Monmouth rolled to a 40-0 victory.

The Ramblers (9-0) host No. 4 Dirigo, 20-14 winners over Old Orchard Beach in overtime, next week, while Telstar finishes at 2-7.

Lack of competition has been a concern for the Ramblers of late. Their last serious test came against Oak Hill on Sept. 28.

“Next week’s game is going to be hard,” quarterback Jared Hanson said. “This week in practice we’re going to have to bring it.”

Hanson got the Ramblers going midway through the first quarter with back-to-back completions to Brandon Goff and Phil Rowe of 18 and 20 yards. Senior Zach Glazier capped the drive with a 6-yard run in which he broke three tackles. Later in the half senior back Jake Weeks ripped off scoring runs of 47 and 68 yards.

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“I found my holes and just put on my speed,” said Weeks, who broke off tackle and down the left sideline on both runs.

Between the scoring runs from Weeks, Hanson threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Drew Stratton that the senior make a sliding catch on in the deep left corner of the end zone.

“I threw it up and I saw Drew dive,” Hanson said. “(The ball) was probably two inches off the ground. He made me look good on that one.”

Backup quarterback D.J. McHugh added a 1-yard touchdwon run in the second quarter as the Ramblers took a 34-0 lead by halftime. Winthrop coach Joel Stoneton played his reserves in the second half when several different players carried the ball. The playoff appearance was the first for Winthrop since 2010.

“It feels really good for the kids who have never been part of a program at the varsity level and kids who have just been down,” Stoneton said.

The Ramblers defeated Dirigo (6-3) 24-14 in the third game of the season.

“We haven’t played a team over .500 in a month and we’re concerned about that,” Stoneton said. “It’s hard to keep the kids focused.They’re eager.They’re ready to get after it again.”

Gary Hawkins — 621-5638ghawkins@centralmaine.comTwitter: @GaryHawkinsKJ


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