The Old Rochester Regional High School varsity football team is one step closer to the state championship with a victory over Dedham on October 27.

The quarter finals victory, which the ORR Bulldogs took with a final score of 34-21, means that the team moves ahead to the semi-finals in their division of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) state tournament.

The Bulldogs fought for their victory, as the Dedham Marauders kept the scores fairly tight throughout the first half. By half-time, the score was 13-7.

Two minutes into the third quarter, the Bulldogs scored a touchdown, bringing the score, plus a field goal that was good, notching the score up to 20-7.

Four minutes later, the Marauders scored their own touchdown and valid field goal. With the score 20-14, the Bulldogs' lead was slim.

Bulldog Noah McIntyre gave the team some breathing room with two minutes left in the third quarter, scoring a touchdown. The touchdown, plus a field goal, kept the Bulldogs on top at 27-14.

The Marauders answered the challenge, notching up another touchdown and field goal with two minutes left on the clock.

The team wasn't done; the clock was ticking, running under 30 seconds, when the Bulldogs scored their final touchdown. Another field goal took the score to 34-21.

Neither team was able to improve in the final quarter; the Bulldogs, who'd made it inside the 10-yard line in the last few minutes, repeatedly took a knee to let the clock run out.

The Bulldogs will play Rockland High on Friday, November 3 in the semi-finals of the South Division 6 Championship. The game will be played at Old Rochester Regional High School.