So what have the first two weekends of the 2016 high school football season revealed?
The evidence is already in that the eight programs that appeared in last year’s state finals are in no hurry to relinquish those opportunities.
Reigning state titlists Thornton Academy of Saco (Class A), Marshwood of South Berwick (Class B), Winslow (Class C) and Oak Hill of Wales (Class D) along with fellow 2015 regional champions Portland, Brunswick, Yarmouth and Maine Central Institute of Pittsfield are a combined 12-2 heading into Week 3 of the regular season.
Only Portland and Marshwood have tasted defeat, both in their openers. Reigning Class A North champ Portland dropped a 14-13 decision to a competitive Scarborough team while Marshwood fell 20-13 to undefeated Biddeford.
There have been pleasant surprises, too, particularly in Class C North. Hermon is 2-0 after a winless season a year ago and in Class D North, where Dexter also is off to a 2-0 start after a noteworthy 28-6 road win at Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln last Friday night.
While the third weekend in November may not produce the same state-final matchups as last fall, early results suggest some familiar names are poised to stake their claims on regional and state championships:
Class B North: Brunswick looks all the part of a team determined to return to the state final for the third straight year in its quest for a gold ball. The Dragons’ deep rushing attack, passing potential and aggressive defense have overwhelmed Hampden Academy and Lawrence of Fairfield in its first two games. But 2015 regional finalist Brewer also has come out strong defensively while ground-and-pounders on offense have generated major yardage, particularly on first down. Skowhegan is another 2-0 team that has backed up its high aspirations with a potent offense attack featuring quarterback Garrett McSweeney, while 2-0 Messalonskee of Oakland’s wing-T offense is in midseason form after a convincing win over Cony of Augusta. Some games to watch include Brunswick at Messalonskee and Skowhegan at Brewer on Sept. 23, Brunswick at Skowhegan on Sept. 30, Brewer at Brunswick on Oct. 7 and Messalonskee at Brewer on Oct. 14.
Class C North: Winslow remains the gold standard in the division as the two-time defending state champ pursues a fifth consecutive regional title. After overwhelming Belfast and John Bapst of Bangor by a combined 115-6, the Black Raiders may get tested at home this Saturday by 2-0 Mount Desert Island of Bar Harbor. The Trojans gave Winslow two of its tougher games last fall and in Croix Albee and Colby Lee have a ball-control rushing attack that will seek to keep the ball away from a Black Raiders’ offense featuring halfback Nate St. Amand and fullback Kenny Rickard. If MDI doesn’t provide that challenge, Madison-Carrabec might in a Sept. 23 home game against the Black Raiders. And no one should discount the feel-good story gaining momentum in Hermon, where the Hawks will seek their third straight victory to open the season against Old Town on Friday night.
Class D North: MCI has rebuilt along the line of scrimmage to complement a deep array of skill-position players that include Willie Moss, Eli Bussell, Adam Bertrand and quarterback Josh Buker. A strong Week 2 win over Bucksport indicates the Huskies are determined to get back to the state title game. Orono lacks MCI’s depth but the Red Riots also have some high-quality senior leadership featuring quarterback Jackson Coutts and halfback Keenan Collett. Dexter boasts a strong senior class and a defense that has yielded only one touchdown in each of its first two games, and the Tigers turned some heads with their convincing win at Mattanawcook. There’s also optimism that Bucksport will be a postseason factor after a year out of the playoffs, with coach Joel Sankey’s club visiting Dexter in an important matchup Saturday.
Class A North: A big game Friday night matches 1-1 Portland against 2-0 Windham, the 2013 Class A state champion as well as a finalist in 2014. Those teams look to be the clear favorites in this division, with Windham having the chance to separate itself from the pack with a home-field win over the defending regional champs.
Class A South: Two-time defending state champion Thornton Academy has averaged 63.5 points in victories over Sanford (65-27) and Cheverus of Portland (65-0). Bonny Eagle of Standish also is undefeated with wins over South Portland and Scarborough, and anticipation continues to build for the regular-season finale when TA visits Bonny Eagle on Oct. 21.
Class B South: Marshwood may not be undefeated two weeks in, but neither should coach Alex Rostko’s two-time defending state champions be dismissed in a division where Biddeford, Falmouth and Kennebunk all are off to 2-0 starts. Falmouth travels to historic Waterhouse Field on Friday night to face Biddeford in a telling Week 3 encounter.
Class C South: A pretty good race is building up in this division, with defending champion Yarmouth, preseason favorite Wells and Cape Elizabeth all off to 2-0 starts. Three key matchups during the second half of the season may provide better evidence on how these playoffs will evolve with Yarmouth at Wells on Sept. 30, Yarmouth at Cape Elizabeth on Oct. 14 and Cape Elizabeth at Wells on Oct. 21.
Class D South: While Oak Hill is the three-time state champion and off to a 2-0 start again this fall, this may be one of the deeper divisions in the state. Winthrop-Monmouth is seen as the top threat to the Raiders’ dominance, and even more so after opening the year with quality wins over Lisbon and Traip Academy of Kittery. Lisbon, Dirigo of Dixfield, Traip and Old Orchard Beach also figure into the competitive mix.
