Defending Class A state champion Bonny Eagle held off top-ranked and unbeaten Deering, 26-14, to win a Western Maine semifinal football game Saturday before an estimated 4,000 fans at Deering's Memorial Field.

The fourth-seeded Scots (8-2) advanced to next Saturday's regional final in Saco where they will play No 2 Thornton Academy, which rallied for a 35-28 win over No. 3 Windham.

In Western Maine Class B action, Cape Elizabeth advanced to the regional final with a 21-13 win over York. The Capers will play defending regional champion Mountain Valley in Rumford.

Bonny Eagle jumped to a quick 7-0 lead against Deering (9-1) and led 20-0 early in the third quarter before the Rams mounted a comeback just like they did in the regular season game with Bonny Eagle. The Rams cut it to 20-14.
This time, Bonny held off Deering and scored a final touchdown with just over nine minutes left to seal it.

Bonny Eagle, the defending state champs, will play in its second straight regional final.