OAKLAND — Technically speaking, there was still more than half the game to be played. One comment on the Cony sideline, though, expressed loud and clear what was unfolding.

The Rams were boisterous with 3 minutes, 42 seconds to go in the first half of Friday’s season opener after taking a stunning five-touchdown lead over Messalonskee. It was a game, one player yelled, that was already a “statement to the league” in what would be a 47-0 victory at Veterans Field.

“I said to the team, ‘People around the state are going to be checking the scores all night, and this is a chance for us to come out and really make a big statement,’” said Cony coach B.L. Lippert. “Our team came out determined to do that, and they executed.”

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Cony’s passing attack was lethal. Parker Morin threw for 247 yards and three touchdowns in the first half, with Ethan Demmons recording three catches for 123 yards and two scores. Cony had four pass plays of 35-plus yards, including a 75-yard reception by Demmons that made it 35-0.

• The Rams forced six turnovers, recovering four fumbles and snatching two interceptions. They were also opportunistic with those turnovers, turning short fields after the Eagles’ second and third fumbles into a pair of Anderson Noyes touchdown runs.

• Messalonskee was done in by mistakes. In addition to the turnovers, the Eagles committed 10 penalties, including three false starts on the opening drive. Then, down 27-0 late in the first half, what looked to be a wide-open touchdown pass on fourth down was dropped.

“We just made too many mistakes and shot ourselves in the foot,” said Messalonskee coach Blair Doucette. “Every time we took a step forward, we took two step backs, and you just can’t do that in the game of football.”

WHAT IT MEANS

• Cony establishes itself as the early frontrunner in Class B North. The Rams were already seen among the favorites (if not the favorite) entering the season, and a dominant performance like this one will only add to the hype around a team searching for its first regional title since 2013.

• Speaking of hype, Cony’s vaunted passing attack might be even better than feared. Morin displayed pinpoint accuracy, the receivers got separation and showed off great hands, and the offensive line allowed zero sacks, giving Morin plenty of time to throw.

“We saw their film and we knew they were going to come off the blitz, so we were going to take some shots deep,” Morin said. “I know Ethan is getting by anybody, so I threw it up there and let him go to work.”

NOTABLE QUOTES

“Over the summer, we were kind of prepping for this game in terms of what we were going to do defensively, so we were ready for tonight. I thought we tackled (Messalonskee quarterback) Tatum (Doucette) pretty well. He’s hard to rally around because of how quick he is, but we did a pretty good job against him.” — B.L. Lippert

“These last couple weeks, (our defense has) been really focusing on how they handle themselves out of the pocket. Obviously, Tatum is a good runner — we know that — so we had to be sure we stayed strong, especially outside.” — Ethan Demmons

“Cony outplayed us in every single facet of the game. Hats off to their coaching staff and their players for a well-played game because that was impressive. … We’ve got to clean up the mistakes we made tonight and play better football.” — Blair Doucette

STAT LEADERS

Cony: Parker Morin (8 of 15, 247 yards, three touchdowns; one rushing touchdown), Ethan Demmons (three catches, 123 yards, two touchdowns), Landen Perry (20-yard touchdown reception; interception), Anderson Noyes (10 carries, 41 yards, two touchdowns)

Messalonskee: Tatum Doucette (6 of 13, 88 yards, interception; nine carries, 39 yards), Landon Rancourt (10 carries, 61 yards), Malachi Cusano (three catches, 30 yards)

UP NEXT

Cony: vs. Brunswick (0-1), 7 p.m. next Friday

Messalonskee: at Cheverus (1-0), 12:30 p.m. next Saturday