Brewer and Skowhegan have built up a nice little rivalry over the past 12 months and Friday night’s game between the two Class B North unbeatens headlines an intriguing weekend of high school football.
Both teams were 3-0 a year ago when they met at Clark Field in Skowhegan and the Indians prevailed 21-14.
That helped Skowhegan earn a higher playoff seed than the Witches, but Brewer rallied for a 16-15 triumph in their Class B North semifinal in Skowhegan.
Skowhegan (3-0) at Brewer (3-0), Friday, 7 p.m., Doyle Field: This will be a battle of contrasting styles.
The Witches look to control the ball with their ground game featuring senior tailback Trey Wood while dynamic multiple-threat quarterback Garrett McSweeney will throw often or use his elusive feet to move the chains.
“[McSweeney] is an unbelievable athlete,” said Brewer head coach Nick Arthers. “He does a very good job on quarterback draws. He’s very good at getting out of the pocket. That’s going to be a little tough for us.
“Their team goes as he goes,” added Arthers. “We’re going to have to get pressure on him.”
McSweeney has thrown for over 600 yards and to several different receivers, including John Bell and Russell Bradley.
Wood has gained nearly 500 yards according to Arthers, who hopes Brewer can establish a clock-eating ground attack to keep McSweeney and company off the field.
Brewer may have a measure of confidence knowing that Lawrence of Fairfield racked up 338 total yards in the first half of a 33-32 loss to the Indians.
Arthers expects the Indians to crowd the line of scrimmage with plenty of bodies to try to stop the run “but we have a pretty seasoned group of guys up front and they like challenges.”
Four-year starter Austin Lufkin, a guard, and two-year starters Cam Green and Tyler Bean anchor the offensive line. Virginia transfer Garrett Graham and first-year starter Lucas McLaughlin have also performed well up front.
Arthers said the Witches are going to have to handle difference-making defensive lineman Owen Boardman, who “created a lot of problems up front for us last year.”
Winslow (3-0) at Madison/Carrabec (3-0), Friday, 7 p.m.: After outscoring its first two opponents 115-6, the Black Raiders were tested by Mount Desert Island last week but won 40-20 thanks to a strong second half. Nate St. Amand rushed for 142 yards and Kenny Rickard churned out 120 more. The Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 119-15 and are coming off a 52-8 victory over Belfast behind Nick Morales’ three TDs and Sean Whalen’s 104 rushing yards.
Hermon (2-1) at Mount Desert Island (2-1), Friday, 7 p.m., Bar Harbor: These teams look to bounce back after losses last week. Old Town handed the Hawks a 43-0 setback while MDI was beaten by Winslow. The Hawks had erased a 13-game losing streak with season-opening wins over John Bapst of Bangor and Waterville. The Trojans beat Foxcroft (28-20) and Belfast (37-0) and might have fared better against Winslow if they hadn’t turned the ball over four times. The Hawk defense has to rebound against an MDI offense that produced two 100-yard rushers at Winslow: Colby Lee (142) and Croix Albee (103). Hermon’s Connor Magliozzi threw for 142 yards vs. Old Town.
Lewiston (0-3) at Bangor (0-3), Friday, 7 p.m., Cameron Stadium: The Rams are coming off one of the worst losses in the program’s history to Bonny Eagle of Standish (70-7) and are anxious to put that loss behind them. Lewiston lost to Cheverus of Portland 28-20. The teams’ common opponent is Windham, which bested Bangor 37-0 and Lewiston 41-8. One of the teams will be among six teams that make the Class A North playoffs. The winner of this one will have a leg up in the playoff chase.
Brunswick (3-0) at Messalonskee (3-0) of Oakland, Friday, 7 p.m.: There could be plenty of fireworks for Messalonskee’s Homecoming. Brunswick has scored 159 points in three wins and Messalonskee has racked up 140. This will come down to which defense can do a better job shutting down the opponent and which team wins the turnover battle.
Foxcroft Academy (1-2) at Old Town (2-1), Friday, 6 p.m., Victory Field: T.J. Crawford has rushed for over 500 yards in three games and had 233 yards and four touchdowns on 12 carries in the first half of the Coyotes’ win over Hermon. The Ponies must find a way to slow an offensive line that averages 244 pounds per man. Foxcroft picked up its first win last weekend, beating Waterville 34-6.
Orono (3-0) at Bucksport (1-2), Friday, 7 p.m.: The records are somewhat misleading. This should be a close game and will be Orono’s biggest test of the season. Orono’s three wins have come at the expense of teams with a combined 2-7 record while Bucksport’s two losses have been to undefeated Maine Central Institute of Pittsfield and Dexter.
Mount View (2-1) at Houlton (2-1), Friday, 7 p.m.: Mount View of Thorndike and Houlton have each won two straight after opening the season with losses to current unbeatens Orono and Dexter, respectively. Mount View has scored 104 points in its three games so the Shires are going to have to turn in an outstanding defensive performance.