The undefeated Winslow High School football team has averaged a robust 44.3 points per game in its first 10 victories this season.
But if the Black Raiders are to win an 11th game — and the Class C championship that would come with it in Friday night’s state final at the University of Maine in Orono — it may come down to defense.
Defending state champion Leavitt of Turner Center — which defeated Winslow 47-18 in last year’s gold-ball game — features the state’s most prolific aerial attack.
Junior Levi Craig, a first-year starter at quarterback, has thrown for 2,933 yards and 34 touchdowns to go with eight rushing scores from Leavitt’s spread formation while guiding coach Mike Hathaway’s club to a 10-1 record and its fifth regional crown in the last six years.
“I think pass defense will really be one key and another key will be to keep Leavitt’s quarterback in control,” said Winslow coach Mike Siviski. “He’s at his best when he’s scrambling. He extends plays to complete passes or he’ll see an opening and go.”
Craig throws to an array of targets, including three who stand 6-foot-3 or taller in 1,000-yard receiver Max Green, Gabe Seeley (709 yards, 12 TDs) and tight end Mitchel Davis (548 yards, eight TDs). Slot receiver Billy Bedard (536 receiving yards, two TDs) is another threat.
“Leavitt gives you a lot to defend,” said Siviski. “They don’t line up in the spread to get runners an open field. This year they line up in a spread and they throw the ball.”
Winslow’s playmakers are led by the senior trio of halfback Dylan Hapworth, 6-foot-6-inch end Justin Martin and quarterback Bobby Chenard — all of whom will be playing in their third straight state final.
Hapworth, who led the Black Raiders in both rushing yardage and tackles as a freshman three years ago, rushed for more than 1,300 yards during the 2014 regular season despite having his playing time limited during several lopsided victories.
Martin has been a top receiver whether lined up at tight end or split end and also has figured prominently in Winslow’s passing defense with five interceptions this fall.
And Chenard, considered by Siviski among the team’s most improved players, threw three touchdown passes during Winslow’s 29-12 Eastern Maine final victory over Waterville.
While Leavitt is seeking its third state championship in six years — the Hornets also won the 2009 Class B crown — Winslow is after its first state title since 2001.
Both teams are considerably different than last year’s finalists. Leavitt graduated 20 seniors, and while Winslow didn’t suffer as many graduation losses, the Black Raiders still have just seven seniors on the roster.
“We’ve had some lopsided games this year, but I don’t expect this to be lopsided,” said Siviski. “It’s going to be a challenge.”
