Winslow High School roared to the state championship last fall, but among its graduates were a three-year starter at quarterback, a 6-foot-6 wide receiver and defensive end now playing college basketball and a halfback/kicker who scored 50 points — seven touchdowns and eight extra-point kicks — in the state championship game alone.
But while Bobby Chenard, Justin Martin and Dylan Hapworth have moved on, longtime coach Mike Siviski returns a deep roster to fill the gaps, particularly on defense where eight starters return.
While Winslow is favored to win a fourth consecutive regional title, its biggest challenge may be a veteran Belfast club poised to break through after reaching the regional semifinals each of the last three years. Coach Chris Bartlett’s Lions have several three-year starters, among them senior quarterback Drew Nealey.
Perennial power Foxcroft Academy suffered a major preseason hit when senior quarterback-safety Hunter Smith suffered a dislocated hip that likely will sideline him for the entire season, but the Ponies will seek to contend with a mix of veterans and promising younger players.
Waterville similarly will rely on a young nucleus, while Mount Desert Island of Bar Harbor, Madison-Carrabec and Old Town also expect to challenge for playoff berths.
Joining the Big Ten Conference is John Bapst of Bangor, up to Class C by enrollment after reaching the Eastern D semifinals last year. Graduation losses were relatively light for coach Dan O’Connell’s Crusaders, which will be led by seniors Spencer Barron and Harrison Dieuveuil.
Class D North: Maine Central Institute of Pittsfield completed a three-season worst-to-first rise to the LTC championship last fall.
Coach Tom Bertrand returns as one of the favorites this year, led by a rarity — a fourth-year starter at quarterback in senior Greg Vigue.
Junior fullback-linebacker Alex Bertrand will provide a physical presence in the middle of both the offense and defense, while junior halfback Willie Moss is a breakaway threat and senior end Dillon Fitts and senior lineman Curtis McLeod will be counted on for major contributions.
Teams seeking to dethrone MCI will include Bucksport, Orono and Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln.
Bucksport suffered heavy graduation losses but should rebound behind the likes of seniors Hayden Craig and Jake Gauvin. Promising sophomore Chase Carmichael steps in at quarterback for the Golden Bucks.
Orono is motivated after just missing a playoff berth a year ago and boasts a talented junior class led by quarterback-safety Jackson Coutts and fullback-linebacker Keenan Collett.
Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln returns several key skill-position players from last year’s LTC semifinalists in junior quarterback Carter Ward, senior halfback Scott Jipson and senior wideout Gunner Maxwell. Mattanawcook Academy’s success may depend on how quickly it re-establishes itself along the offensive and defensive lines under new head coach Pat House.
Mount View of Thorndike also is optimistic this season under veteran coach Haggie Pratt, while Houlton seeks to build on the momentum of its first varsity season in the LTC and Washington Academy of East Machias aspires for similar improvement.
Stearns of Millinocket, 5-3 a year ago, will attempt to regroup with limited numbers under new head coach Steve Waceken, previously a longtime junior high coach in the area.
Dexter also has new leadership in co-coaches Brian Salsbury and Andrew Shorey, while Medomak Valley of Waldoboro joins the varsity ranks with a fairly veteran roster that gained experience while playing an LTC exhibition schedule last year.
