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GORHAM — New year. New coach. Same Lawrence football.

The Pete Curtis era as coach of the Bulldogs started with Lawrence doing what it was known for under John Hersom: controlling the line of scrimmage and running the ball down the throats of its opponent. The result was a 48-0 victory over Gorham in which the Bulldogs outgained the Rams 438-27.

“We just prepared all week — the kids studying film and the coaches studying film — and we came in here prepared and ready to go from the get-go,” Curtis said. “We were feeling pretty good coming into the game, and the kids went out and executed.”

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Lawrence’s rushing attack trampled Gorham. The Bulldogs gained 404 yards on the ground and scored on every possession but the final drive, which ended in a kneel-down. Jackson Dangler, Jaiden Hebert and Hunter Curtis each rushed for two touchdowns, while Keegan Littlefield ran for one.

“It really just comes down to practice and getting reps over and over so that everybody gets the ball,” Hebert said. “You’ve got to have those reps with the line getting the blocks, and the coaching helps.”

• Lawrence’s defense was just as prolific. Gorham had only one first down, and it came on a play in which the Bulldogs forced and recovered a fumble. Miles Provost and Brady Richards were particularly disruptive on the defensive line.

• The Bulldogs were opportunistic. It could’ve been just 20-0 at halftime after Lawrence mounted a 16-play, 78-yard drive to score its third touchdown with 3:14 left. But after a Provost strip-sack that Cody Gagnon recovered, Lawrence needed just four plays to score again. Then, after Hebert recovered a fumble, Dangler scored as the half expired.

“All preseason, we’ve been doing turnover drills and tackling drills, and I think it helps,” Curtis said. “We do things like strip-sacks, and we do things like tip drills. I think we were prepared to do that tonight, and (the players) made those plays.”

WHAT IT MEANS

As if it were ever in doubt, Lawrence showed that its identity under Curtis won’t be much different than it was in 20 years under Hersom. The Bulldogs also did little to suggest that they aren’t top contenders in the Pine Tree Conference.

UNSUNG HERO: BRADY RICHARDS

He didn’t have a sack or really any flashy stats, but Brady Richards was the key to Lawrence’s efforts on both lines — particularly on defense, where the senior clogged the gaps, applied pressure and stifled Gorham’s run game.

“They run the same offense we do, where they pull the guards, and we talked about that,” Curtis said. “We told them all week, ‘If you get into that pocket, you’re going to cause some disruptions,’ and he did.”

NOTABLE QUOTABLE

“We’ve been grinding all week and all summer, and it came down to this night, and we made it happen. … We’re pumped (to get Coach Curtis his first win). I think he’s really proud of us, and we’re really proud of him.” — Miles Provost

STAT LEADERS

• Lawrence: Hunter Curtis (10 carries, 125 yards, two touchdowns), Keegan Littlefield (13 carries, 114 yards, touchdown), Jaiden Hebert (15 carries, 81 yards, two touchdowns; fumble recovery)

UP NEXT

• Lawrence: vs. Fryeburg Academy, 7 p.m. next Friday

• Gorham: at Biddeford, 6 p.m. next Friday