LEWISTON — For the first time in a quarter century, the Winthrop football team is a state champ.

The Ramblers’ passing attack led them to a 20-point lead at halftime on their way to a 41-14 win over Winslow in the Class D state championship game Saturday at Don Roux Field.

It is the first state title for Winthrop since it won the Class C championship in 2000.

“We had a lot of fun (preparing) this week, and it was just about enjoying the moment with the kids and enjoying the culture that we built,” Winthrop coach Joel Stoneton said. “It feels great.”

Senior quarterback Jacob Feith was 4 of 5 passing for 167 yards and two touchdowns, all in the first half. Junior running back Carter Rand added a 10-yard touchdown pass for Winthrop, which finishes with a perfect 11-0 record.

“We’ve been working for this for so long,” said senior wide receiver/defensive back Ben Porter. “Ever since the end of last season, this was our goal, and nothing else. To achieve it is beyond awesome.”

Rand also added three touchdowns runs and finished with 38 yards on 13 carries. Fellow running back Ross Fichthorn rushed for 143 yards on 23 carries.

“We knew (Winslow) had a great defense, but our passing has been good all year,” Rand said. “They were amazing tonight. Jake had a great arm. Our receivers caught the ball. It was just a great night for everybody.”

Senior running back Hassan Hobbi ran for 137 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries for Winslow (9-2). Freshman running back Michael Loubier added 78 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.

Winslow struck first, scoring on the opening drive on a 60-yard burst up the middle by Hobbi. Winthrop answered on the following drive, capping a 60-yard drive with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Feith to Porter.

Porter’s touchdown exploited a weakness in the Raiders defense, one the Ramblers would take advantage of for the rest of the first half. Porter (6-foot-1), and fellow wide receivers Lucas Rice (6-0) and Brody Adams (5-10) had a height advantage on Winslow’s defensive backs. The mismatch gave Feith the freedom to continue to take shots down the field. He was 4 for 4 in the half.

“All season, (deep passes) have been our strong suit,” Feith said. “That’s what we go to. When we watched film, we saw what (Winslow) might be susceptible to (those).”

Adams had two receptions for 89 yards and Porter had two catches for 37 yards. Rice — who had two receptions for 51 yards — had the most impressive catch, plucking a Feith pass between two Winslow defenders in the end zone on a 12-yard scoring strike to give the Ramblers a 27-7 lead.

“We went to the John Bapst-Winslow (Class D North regional final) and watched that, that helped a ton,” Porter said. “We saw it on YouTube and saw it on film. We went over it and studied it. We knew that’s what wanted to do all week.”

Rand joined the pass game fun in the second quarter. After taking a toss in the backfield, he pulled up and threw a 10-yard pass into the end zone to a wide-open Porter for a touchdown.

“(It was a play) we wanted to run all year, and I think tonight was a good time to execute that play,” Rand said. “I ran to the outside, and I saw the corner bite down and I just knew it was there. I just had to get the ball (to Porter). It was a little short, but we got the touchdown, and that’s all that matters.”

Winthrop’s passing success opened the doors for its traditional rushing attack in the second half, mostly handled by Fichthorn, who often found space outside.

“(The passing) opened up a lot of things,” Stoneton said. “Our offensive line played phenomenal today. They gave protection. We knew we also had the numbers game. (Winslow) uses about 13 guys. We have 20. That makes a big difference in these games.”

Winthrop’s defense forced four turnovers. Porter and Mason Fish each had interceptions for the Ramblers. Fish and Fichthorn each recovered fumbles.

Loubier scored on a 31-yard run in the fourth quarter for Winslow.

Winthrop finished with 384 yards of total offense, while Winslow had 275.

The Ramblers have won seven Gold Balls in program history. Since their last win in 2000, they played in state finals in 2008 and 2021, falling short on both occasions.

“It just establishes these guys and their march in the program,” Stoneton said. “We’ve had some guys play for us in the perennial (contender years). This championship is as much for them as it is for us. We’re a family and we’re a family for life, and we tell the kids that. For us to accomplish that, I hope they feel it’s something that they put in place. That, to me, is the real monkey off our back. We all worked hard for this.”