Anthony Poole threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Small with 3:29 remaining, and South Portland ended a late Cheverus threat with a fumble recovery inside its own 10 to earn a 19-14 victory in a Class B South football game Saturday at Boulos Stadium.

Poole also rushed for two touchdowns earlier in the fourth after the Red Riots (1-1) were held scoreless through three quarters.

A defensive battle suddenly turned into a shootout after Cheverus (0-2) broke through late in the third, taking a 7-0 lead on a 9-yard run by Sean Tompkins.

South Portland quickly tied it early in the fourth, thanks to a 20-yard run by Poole, but Tompkins returned the kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown.

Poole then capped another fast drive with a 6-yard run, but his conversion pass failed as Cheverus held onto a 14-13 lead.

A Cheverus fumble near midfield set up South Portland’s go-ahead touchdown drive.