Two second-year coaches in enviable positions will be facing stern tests in high school football games Friday night.
Old Town’s Lance Cowan and Brewer’s Nick Arthers have guided their teams to 3-0 starts, but the Coyotes will entertain perennial contender Foxcroft Academy and the Witches will travel to Skowhegan for a showdown with fellow unbeaten Skowhegan.
Foxcroft Academy (1-2) at Old Town (3-0), 6 p.m., Victory Field: Coach Danny White’s Ponies are still adapting to the loss of game-changing quarterback Hunter Smith, who suffered a season-ending hip injury in an exhibition game against Orono. Sophomore Nick Clawson, who was originally going to be a slotback-halfback, has shown consistent progress at quarterback, according to White, and linebacker Billy Brock celebrated his return to the lineup (broken hand) with 14 tackles in the 20-6 win over Waterville last weekend.
Running back-outside linebacker Zach Caron has been a standout,and White will be looking for Brock, Caron, defensive end Brandon Brock, Billy Brock’s brother, and all-conference tackle Connor Holmes to slow down Old Town’s high-powered offense.
“We can’t afford to get into a shootout with Old Town,” said White.
Old Town’s impressive offensive arsenal includes running back T.J. Crawford, who has rushed for 389 yards on just 33 carries; Andre Miller has run for 179 yards on nine carries and caught 10 passes for 196 yards, and quarterback Jake Jarvis had completed 25-of-45 passes for 389 yards and six touchdowns.
Cowan said linebacker Dana Ouellette has been the “workhorse” on defense and LB Ethan Stoddard has been stellar. Josh Crouse and Pascal Cyr also have had productive seasons on defense.
“We’re not very big up front so we’ll be looking to spread the ball out and get our athletes in space,” said Cowan. “It will be a tough battle. Foxcroft has good, quick backs, and they’re starting to figure things out after losing Hunter Smith.”
Brewer (3-0) at Skowhegan (3-0), 7 p.m., Clark Field: The Witches will have their hands full with the aerial prowess of Skowhegan junior quarterback Garrett McSweeney, who completed 19-of-37 passes for 264 yards and four touchdowns in last Saturday’s 32-20 win over Nokomis of Newport. McSweeney completed passes to eight different receivers with Sam Baker, Spencer Salley and Kameron Doucette combining for 11 catches.
“We’re going to have to get some pressure up front and force [McSweeney] to move around back there,” said Brewer’s Arthers.
Versatile quarterback Logan Rogerson and vastly-improved running back Dylan Severance have been Brewer’s offensive catalysts, and the defense features veteran linebacking corps of Severance, Trey Wood, Danny Davis and Tyler Friel. Safety Rogerson and cornerback Tyler Hafford have anchored the secondary and will be busy.
Arthers said he will be looking for his offensive line, led by Austin Lufkin and Zach Caron, “to get a good push up front” and enable the Witches to move the chains and keep McSweeney off the field.
Other games this weekend include: Bangor (0-3) at Lewiston (1-2), Belfast (1-2) at John Bapst (1-2), Dexter (1-2) at Bucksport (1-2), Houlton (2-1) at Medomak Valley (3-0), Mattanawcook Academy (3-0) at Maine Central Institute (3-0), Mount Desert Island (2-1) at Hermon (0-3), Mt. Blue (2-1) at Hampden Academy (1-2), Nokomis (0-3) at Gardiner (0-3), Messalonskee (2-1) at Brunswick (3-0), Washington Academy (0-3) at Stearns (0-3).