HAMPDEN — For a program that has dominated on this stage, the second half couldn’t have had a more calamitous start Saturday for the Foxcroft Academy football team.

From there on out, though? Nearly flawless football – the kind of response that championship-caliber programs deliver after setbacks.

Top-seeded Foxcroft answered a fumble-return score by second-seeded Winslow with three straight touchdowns to claim a 27-7 victory in the Class D North title game at Hampden Academy. The win sends the Ponies to next Saturday’s state championship game against Wells at Lewiston High.

“We knew we had to step up – (it was) 7-7, that’s a tied ball game – and we had to move on,” said Foxcroft’s Finn Holmes, who had 20 carries for 111 yards and two touchdowns. “We played our game.”

Landon Smith complemented Holmes in the running game with 18 carries for 88 yards and a touchdown as Foxcroft (11-0) advanced to its fourth straight state championship game and its sixth in seven seasons. The Ponies won Class D titles in 2021 and 2022 but lost to Wells (10-0) last season, 22-21.

Winslow (6-5) picked up a first down on the opening drive but had to punt after a holding call derailed the possession. Foxcroft then embarked on a 15-play, 81-yard drive that culminated with a 15-yard touchdown run by Holmes with 11:01 left in the second quarter.

Foxcroft took that 7-0 lead into halftime, but on the second-half kickoff, Alyx Hardy recovered a fumble and took it 18 yards to the end zone to tie the game.

The Ponies responded immediately, as Smith’s 40-yard run put Foxcroft back in front with 9:32 left in the third.

“We were quick to jump on our guys (after Winslow’s score) about, ‘Hey, let’s just be fundamental right now,’” said Foxcroft Coach Danny White. “The big thing is, when we got the ball back for real on offense, we were able to put a drive together that was a response.”

After forcing a three-and-out, Foxcroft went up 21-7 with 3:43 remaining in the third when Griffin Caruso found Silas Topolski for a 30-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-7.

A 1-yard run by Holmes with 2:50 left in the fourth sealed the win.

“You just can’t let (a play like Winslow had to start the second half) get you down; there’s more game to play,” Smith said. “Everyone was there for each other, and we had each other’s backs, even when the chips were down.”

Foxcroft’s defense faced a major test against Winslow’s Liem Fortin and Hassan Hobbi. The two combined for 538 yards on the ground in a semifinal win against John Bapst after Hobbi rushed for 225 yards and four touchdowns in the quarterfinals against Madison.

On Saturday, Foxcroft held Fortin to 28 yards on 14 carries, while Hobbi had 35 yards on six carries. The Ponies also defended well against the pass, as Winslow quarterback Tucker Pomerleau was 1 of 7 for 10 yards and an interception.

“We had a pretty good handle on what they were trying to do offensively, and it was just a matter of stepping up,” White said. “We had guys take on block-stick – not skirting underneath it and taking the easy way out – and our guys came over the top, tackled and wrapped up.”

Foxcroft outgained the Black Raiders 253-114. Winslow also committed 10 penalties, many of which put a run-oriented team in tough situations as it faced long yardage.

“I don’t know if I’d say it unraveled, but they’re a good football team; they have a good defense, and they haven’t given up many points all year,” said Winslow Coach Wes Littlefield. “I thought we gave them what we had, but the better football team won today; that’s all it is.”

Foxcroft’s win sets up a state championship battle with Wells for the second consecutive season. The Ponies led last year’s game 21-0 at halftime before the Warriors roared back to win.

“(We have to) stay composed and bring the pressure,” Holmes said. “Let’s play a game.”