Defense and special teams wins championships, and the MDI Defense shut down Oceanside's high powered offense, while the MDI special teams shined, including blocking a potentially winning field goal with 3.7 seconds left, to defeat Oceanside 14-12 in Rockland on Friday, October 14th.

Both teams played to a scoreless draw in the 1st Quarter, and into the 2nd Quarter when Oceanside was forced to punt the ball with a little over 3:40 remaining in the 1st Half. The punt came to Drew Rich, who returned that ball to the Oceanside 8 yard line with 3:30 remaining.

MDI was able to punch it in from the 5 yard line, when Andrew Phelps completed a little pop pass to Luke Mitchell with 1:34 remaining in the Half. Drew Rich's kick sailed through the uprights, and MDI led 7-0.

In the 1st Half, MDI's defense limited Oceanside to 25 yards rushing, and DeBrowsky to 91 yards passing, 6-20 with 1 interception. MDI's offense was only able to muster 39 yards rushing and 5 yards passing, but still led 7-0.

It remained that way, until Brandon DeBrowsky scored from 41 yards out, running down the left side. DeBrowksy had trouble with the snap, and it looked like Elijah Joyce came up with the ball. But, the whistle didn't blow, and DeBrowsky picked up the ball  and scampered down the left side for the touchdown. The extra  point was no good, and MDI led 7-6 with 4:29 remaining in the 3rd Quarter. .

MDI scored in the 4th Quarter, with 9:28 left, when Chris Farnsworth ran in from 27 yards out. Rich's extra point was good, and the Trojans led 14-6.

MDI had a chance to put the game out of reach, but were unable to score on a 4th and goal from the 1 yard line, and Oceanside took over from their own 1 yard line with 7:04 remaining in the game.

Oceanside scored when DeBrowsky completed a 5 yard pass to Anthony Marsh with 1:02 left. The 2 point conversion attempt failed and MDI led 14-12.

Everyone knew that Oceanside was going to have to attempt an onside kick. Their first attempt was  no good, as they were whistled offsides. After moving back 5 yards, DeBrowsky's onside kick hit an MDI player, and the Mariners recovered on the MDI 43 yard line, with 1:02 remaining.

The Mariners moved down the field, but the Trojan's defense stiffened. On 4th down, with 3.7 seconds left, the Mariners attempted a 15 yard field goal, for the win. DeBrowsky's kick was blocked, and the Trojans won the game 14-12.

MDI played without leading rusher Colby Lee who was injured in Wednesday's practice, and then lost their 2nd leading rusher, Croix Albee, midway through the 2nd Half.

MDI now sits alone in 1st place in the Crabtree Standings, with a 6-1 record. Madison and Winslow are both 6-1, but thanks to John Bapst's victory over Waterville, MDI has the best strength of schedule and are in 1st place, with Madison in 2nd, and Winslow in 3rd.

The Trojans will play host to Old Town on Friday, October 21st at 7 PM, on Senior Recognition Night. Should the Trojans win, they will finish 1st for the 1st time in recent memory, and will have a bye in the opening round of the playoffs, and would have home field advantage forcing the road to Portland to go through Bar Harbor.

MDI Stats
Rushing
Croix Albee 13 carries 62 yards
Chris Farnsworth 9 carries 28 yards
Graham Good 3 carries 15 yards
Elijah Joyce 5 carries 14 yards
Andrew Phelps 4 carries -5 yards

Passing
Andrew Phelps 1-4 5 Yards 1 Touchdown

Receiving
Luke Mitchell 1 Reception 5 Yards

Oceanside Stats

Rushing
Gage Robinson 12 carries 69 yards
Brandon DeBrowsky 13 carries 30 yards
Nate Raye 7 carries 19 yards
Michael Norton Jr. 2 carres 9 yards
David Kurr 2 carries 5 yards

Passing
Brandon DeBrowsky 16-37 168 yards, 1 Touchdown, 1 Interception

Receiving
Jack Freeman 9 Receptions 69 yards
Michael Norton Jr. 3 Receptions 32 yards
Anthony Marsh 2 Receptions 13 yards
Nate Ray 1 Reception 44 yards
Gage Robinson 1 Reception 5 yards

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