WINTHROP — The Winthrop football team got off to a slow start in its season opener Friday, but the Ramblers sure finished strong.

Carter Rand and Tristyan Ortiz each ran for two touchdowns to lead Winthrop to a 34-3 win over Lisbon in a Class D South matchup at Charlie’s Field.

“We knew (Lisbon) would be pretty tough, but we came out flat and didn’t start how we wanted,” said Rand, a senior running back. “But we came out in the second half and dominated.”

Winthrop, the defending Class D champion, led 7-3 at halftime and scored on a 48-yard rumble by Ortiz on the first drive of the second half. The Ramblers added three more touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

“Our physical toughness and our durability is something that can go a long way with this team,” said Ortiz, a junior running back. “And our defense is pretty rugged.”

Here are some other takeaways from Friday’s game:

Rand gets Winthrop going

Rand, like he did so often last season, gave Winthrop a spark when it was needed. The senior running back burst up the middle for a 23-yard touchdown with seven minutes left in the second quarter to give the Ramblers a 7-3 lead.

Ortiz was able to step up and fill in for senior Ross Fichthorn, who was injured early in the game and did not return.

“We’ve always been a solid run team,” Rand said. “We had a running back go down in the first quarter, T.O. stepped in and did his part, rushed for two touchdowns. He was a dog out there, exactly what we needed.”

Lisbon shows potential

The Greyhounds showed early promise, particularly on offense. Senior quarterback Jaxson Roy-Thompson made some plays with both his arm and his legs in the spread offense. He was 5 of 13 passing for 67 yards and an interception, and ran for 48 yards on 11 carries.

Lisbon’s defense was also able to hold Winthrop for awhile, allowing 107 yards in the first half.

“That’s a much better Lisbon team,” said Winthrop coach Joel Stoneton. “They have some speed, they use their guys well. And (Walter) Polky’s a great coach, that was a challenge for us.”

The Greyhounds did show some growing pains throughout the game, however, mostly with the operation on offense, such as lining up correctly.

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Closing in on history

Stoneton is four wins from becoming Winthrop’s all-time winningest coach. Tom Tucker won 83 games from 1970-88. Stoneton earned his 80th win.

“To leave a mark on such a special program is very special to me,” Stoneton said. “It’s something I’ll want to spend time and celebrate with my family, because they’re part of it, too. There’s so much more that goes into (the job). If that happens, great … The biggest thing for me is to make a mark on the program.”

Stoneton is in his second stint leading the Ramblers. His first was 2004-13. He took the job back in 2024 when Dave St. Hilaire resigned.

Tucker was a fixture with the Winthrop football program. In fact, when Charlie’s Field was dedicated in 2023, some of his ashes were spread on the home sideline.

Statistical leaders

Winthrop: Carter Rand (17 carries, 102 yards, 2 TDs), Tristyan Ortiz (9 carries, 78 yards, 2 TDs), Porter Lavigne (5 of 10 passing, 76 yards, TD, 4 PATs)

Lisbon: Jaxson Roy-Thompson (5 of 11 passing, 67 yards, INT, 48 rushing yards); Brandon Long (27-yard FG)