PITTSFIELD, Maine — With one undefeated rival out of the way, the Maine Central Institute football team faces a second unbeaten challenge in as many weeks Friday night when the Huskies host Orono in a battle for the top spot in the LTC Class D North.
The matchup is the BDN Game of the Week, sponsored by Quirk Auto Group, and may be watched at bangordailynews.com/gameoftheweek. The pregame show starts about 6:45 p.m. with the opening kickoff set for 7.
The top of the LTC standings has been MCI’s domain since 2014, with coach Tom Bertrand’s club finishing the last two years undefeated in the regular-season standings and then going on to win the Class D North playoffs.
This year has featured more of the same as the 6-0 Huskies have outscored their opponents by 36.3 points per game, including a 36-2 victory over previously unbeaten Dexter last Saturday.
Dexter’s defense held MCI in check during the first half, but kick returns for touchdowns by Josh Buker and Pedro Matos helped the Huskies break the game open en route to their 26th consecutive LTC victory.
Orono, coming off a 47-20 win over Washington Academy of East Machias, is 6-0 with an average victory margin of 29.8 points.
The Red Riots have opened up their offense this fall under veteran head coach Bob Sinclair. Senior quarterback Jackson Coutts ranks second in the LTC in passing yardage (46 of 70, 655 yards, 10 touchdowns, 1 interception) while classmate Keenan Collett is the conference’s top rusher with 663 yards and eight TDs to go with 16 pass receptions for 178 yards.
Matt Fowler is another weapon for Orono with 401 rushing yards and 178 more yards on 14 pass catches.
Buker, a first-year starter at quarterback, anchors a balanced MCI offense with 250 rushing yards, 345 passing yards and 10 touchdown passes.
Eli Bussell paces a deep rushing contingent with 460 yards and five touchdowns, while Buker, Adam Bertrand, Matos and Willie Moss have contributed at least 190 rushing yards apiece.
An MCI victory would give the Huskies a one-game lead in the LTC standings along with head-to-head victories over their two closest competitors with two weeks left in the regular season.
An Orono win would give the Red Riots sole possession of first place with another showdown looming against 5-1 Dexter next weekend.
Messalonskee Eagles (4-2) at Brewer Witches (5-1), 7 p.m. Friday: After absorbing its first loss at undefeated Brunswick last week, Brewer will try to rebound in what should be a ground-and-pound battle against Messalonskee of Oakland, Both teams, along with 4-2 Skowhegan and 4-2 Lawrence of Fairfield, have their eyes on the second bye available in Class B North.
Mount Desert Island Trojans (5-1) vs. Oceanside Mariners (4-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Rockland: MDI can’t let down after a big Week 6 win over previously unbeaten Madison-Carrabec that moved the Trojans into a three-way tie for first place in Class C North. Oceanside has won four of its last five and resides just one game behind the leaders.
Old Town Coyotes (4-2) vs. Madison-Carrabec Bulldogs (5-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Madison: Madison-Carrabec dropped from the unbeaten ranks with last week’s loss at MDI, but will try to remain in a three-way tie atop the Class C North standings with the Trojans and Winslow with a win. Old Town, meanwhile, remains in contention for a first-round home playoff game.
Houlton Shiretowners (2-4) at Bucksport Golden Bucks (3-3), 7 p.m. Friday: Bucksport is ranked fifth in Class D North with just four playoff berths available, but coach Joel Sankey’s club already has a win over No. 4 Mount View of Thorndike and a victory here will keep the pressure on the Mustangs.
Dexter Tigers (5-1) vs. Mount View Mustangs (4-2), 1 p.m. Saturday at Thorndike: This is a big game for both teams as they seek to maintain their top-four status, particularly since Dexter also faces a Week 8 test against Orono while Mount View must play at MCI in Week 9.
