BUCKSPORT — Senior quarterback Mike Cummings scored a pair of touchdowns to lead the Bucksport Golden Bucks to a 21-12 win over the Foxcroft Academy Ponies in an Eastern Maine Class C football semifinal on Friday at Carmichael Field.

With temperatures not far above the freezing mark, both teams had their troubles holding onto the ball from the start.

After the Golden Bucks went three-and-out to open the game, the Ponies fumbled the ball on the ensuing punt and Bucksport recovered at the Foxcroft 38-yard line.

But the Golden Bucks were unable to take advantage of the opportunity, and it was the Ponies who put the first numbers on the scoreboard.

Foxcroft’s scoring opportunity was set up by a bad fourth-down snap to Cummings, who was set up to punt.

Instead, the Ponies ended up with good field position when Cummings was downed after picking up the loose ball and trying to run with it.

Foxcroft quarterback Chris Shorey went into the end zone on a six-yard run just five seconds into the second quarter to give the Ponies a 6-0 lead.

The Golden Bucks edged in front to stay late in the second quarter when Cummings reeled off a 24-yard touchdown run and sophomore Josh Gray booted the extra point for a 7-6 Bucksport lead.

On their next possession, the Ponies came up short on a fourth try for a first down, giving the Golden Bucks the ball at the Foxcroft 45-yard line.

Bucksport made the most of the opportunity, moving the ball to the two-yard line with the help of a pass interference call.

Senior fullback Shawn Smith capped the drive, taking the ball into the end zone with no time left on the clock to put the Golden Bucks up 13-6.

But Foxcroft made a bid to reclaim the lead late in the game.

After a scoreless third period, Foxcroft scored on a 19-yard pass from Shorey to wide receiver Ryan Rebar for a touchdown, leaving the Golden Bucks clinging to a 13-12 lead.

But Foxcroft’s bid to rush for the two extra points — and the lead — came up short.

Bucksport put the game out of reach with 2:48 to go when Cummings found running room on a fourth-and-two and raced 50 yards for a touchdown.

A pass from Cummings to Jon Geaghan was good for two extra points, putting Bucksport up 21-12.

The Ponies made a last bid to score when Shorey found Rebar with a 72-yard pass that moved the ball all the way to the Bucksport four-yard line.

But two plays later, the Ponies fumbled the ball away and the undefeated Golden Bucks ran out the clock for their 10th win of the season.

Cummings finished with 122 rushing yards on 12 carries and completed six of 12 passes for 63 yards, four of them to senior Jake Stewart for 36 yards.

Smith rushed for 97 yards on 20 carries.

The top-ranked Golden Bucks will face the second-seeded Orono Red Riots (9-1) for the Little Ten Conference championship and the Eastern Maine Class C title on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Carmichael Field.

Orono came from behind with 16 fourth-quarter points to knock off the John Bapst Crusaders 24-14 in last week’s other EM Class C semifinal.

Bucksport downed the Red Riots 35-12 in their regular season meeting.

For more sports news, pick up a copy of The Ellsworth American.