Bangor, Waterville both unbeaten at 4-0

Bangor High School quarterback Mark McEwen found little time to relish last Friday’s 49-8 shellacking of Cony.

As he walked out of Cameron Stadium, he could hold back no longer. The team didn’t have to worry about looking by anybody, he announced to those within ear shot, because Waterville was next.

In fact, after a full week of intense, focused practices, Waterville is now.

At 7 p.m. Friday at Cameron Stadium in Bangor, the Rams host the Purple Panthers in a Pine Tree Conference clash of unbeatens (4-0).

In one corner, Coach Gabby Price’s Rams – 76 strong with size, speed and depth. In the other, Coach Frank Knight’s Purple Panthers, a smaller unit with a number of key individuals back from last year’s PTC champions.

The Rams can throw finesse at you, like the fleet-footed running of tailback Josh Jamieson (61 carries, 556 yards, 8 TDs). They can play smashmouth with you, behind the straight-ahead, tackle-me style of fullback Josh Morse (35-189-1). They can also fool you with a fake pitch by Mark McEwen who, in addition to being one of the PTC’s top passing threats (18-39, 322 yards, 3 TDs), is also a threat on the option (31-127-4).

All this offense is happening behind a huge line keyed by center Dan O’Connell, guards Eric York and Kaleem Clarkson, and tackles Mike Arnold and James Pelletier. Tight end Nat Clark is also a threat to catch the ball.

When the Rams are without the ball, they can equally defense the run or the pass. Clarkson and Richie Day key the line, Morse and Kevin Dunton key the linebackers, and Bangor’s DBs are unsung, but talented – with nine interceptions this season.

Waterville, meanwhile, returns last year’s starters QB Brian Scott and TB Bruce Genest to its offense. But defense, the staple of Waterville’s 11-1 state Class A runnerup finish a season ago, was decimated by graduation and transfers.

Still, LB Chad Bissonette and DT Eric Fortin have led Waterville, which has given up the fewest points in the PTC this season, albeit against teams which have an aggregate record of 4-12.

Other games Friday:

Mattanawcook Academy (3-1) vs. Bucksport (2-2), 7 p.m., at Carmichael Field, Bucksport.

Dee-fense, dee-fense, dee-fense… That’s the battle cry in this pointworthy LTC Class C matchup… Mattanawcook gave up 60 points to Orono in Week Two, but only six points in its other three games – all wins… MA’s passing defense will be key against Bucks, which averages 116.5 yards per game behind Jared Zimmerman’s arm… Lucas Vanedestine, Shawn Merritt, and Greg Smart will key the Lynx when they’re without the ball… When MA has the ball, look for Jamie Knights and Jim MacLaughlin to test Bucksport’s run defense, which has surrendered 225 ypg this season… Eric Johnson will key Bucksport’s defense.

Hampden (1-3) vs. Messalonskee (3-1), 7 p.m., at Messalonskee High, Oakland.

It could be do-or-die time for Hampden… A win keeps the Broncos in the playoff hunt… A loss could be devastating… Messalonskee, meanwhile, could prove itself as a contender with a win… HA will look to pick up yards behind FB Ryan Ward and QB Jason Dority… Brett Johnson keys the defense… Messalonskee answers with RBs Brad Ulmer and Ben Pierce… Andy Anderson will key the defense, which has given up only one TD per game in its three victories… The Eagles will be without starting QB Jason Cummings, who is reportedly beginning a two-game suspension for breaking school athletic policy.

Foxcroft Academy (4-0) vs. Maine Central Institute (1-3), 7 p.m., at MCI, Pittsfield.

Go ahead, say it… Foxcroft Academy football is back… Unbeaten through four games and giving up only a TD a game, the Ponies are pounding the gridiron this fall… QB Deron Smith is a two-way threat with his arm and his feet while LBs Steve Saunders and Devin Herrick key the defense… FA is LTC-C’s second-leading offensive team and No. 3 defensive unit… MCI has some young talent but depth and size hurt… QB Nick Lowe and RB Aric Friend are keys.

Orono (3-1) vs. Brewer (1-3), 7 p.m., at Doyle Field, Brewer.

Red Riots – still the state’s highest-scoring team despite a 21-6 setback at Winslow last weekend – are looking to get back on track… HBs Salvador Casanas and Chris Thurlow, the second- and third-leading rushers in the LTC-B, key the Orono O… Brewer’s offense will be led by Chad Allen and the defense, which is ranked higher than Orono’s, will be led by sophomore DB Jeff Conlan.

The rest of the schedule: Old Town (0-4) at Belfast (3-1), Skowhegan (3-1) at Cony (1-3), Mt. Blue (1-3) at Gardiner (0-4), Oxford Hills (2-2) at Lawrence (2-2), Biddeford (3-1) at Sanford (0-4), Bonny Eagle (2-1) at Wells (3-0), Edward Little (0-4) at Portland (3-1), Lake Region (1-2) at Jay (3-0), Lewiston (3-1) at Deering (3-1), Lisbon (0-3) at Brunswick (0-3), Livermore Falls (2-1) at Mountain Valley (3-0), Thornton (3-1) at Westbrook (1-3), Traip (1-2) at Noble (2-1).