Here is a list of five players to watch in the Maine Class A North football ranks during the 2016 season that begins on Friday.
Desmond Leslie, quarterback, Windham: After guiding the Eagles to the 2014 Class A North championship, the versatile Leslie rushed for nearly 300 yards and seven touchdowns while completing 50 percent of his passes for 376 yards during the regular season last year. He earned first-team All-Class A North honors as Windham returned to the regional championship game.
Nick Archambault, fullback-linebacker, Portland: Archambault will provide much of the power for what should be a deep Portland rushing attack. He provided 279 yards and three touchdowns in support of Joe Esposito’s Fitzpatrick Trophy-winning effort last season. The senior also is one of the division’s top returning tacklers with 107 last fall along with three quarterback sacks and two interceptions en route to first-team All-Class A North status.
Gary Farnham, quarterback-defensive back, Bangor: The senior will be a jack-of-all trades for the Rams this fall, particularly as a first-year starter at quarterback, where he will seek to blend the passing game with Bangor’s traditional rushing attack. Farnham also will play a key defensive role in the secondary as well as serving as Bangor’s kicker as coach Alan Mosca’s club seeks a place in Class A North’s upper echelon.
Rylan Benedict, running back-linebacker, Cheverus: Benedict should be a factor on both sides of the line of scrimmage as the Stags aim to contend for top regional honors in the first year of the post-John Wolfgram coaching era. The senior had a team-leading nine rushing touchdowns during the 2015 regular season and also ranks as one of Cheverus’ top returning tacklers.
Jake Knop, running back-defensive back, Portland: Knop steps into the void left behind by graduated Fitzy winner Joe Esposito in the Bulldogs’ backfield but is expected to team with Archambault to give the defending regional champs a potent 1-2 rushing punch. Knop is a returning All-Class A North first-team defensive back after contributing 32 tackles and an interception last fall.
