December 26, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

Stearns battles Black Raiders in LTC matchup

When Stearns of Millinocket takes on Winslow Friday night at Alumni Field in Millinocket (7 p.m.), it will be a clash of programs with a lot of glorious football history behind them.

Between them, the two Little Ten Conference schools have accounted for 24 state championships in Classes C-D.

But it may be of more significance to the alumni than the players and coaches involved.

“We haven’t played Stearns in recent memory other than the last three years, so there’s no big rivalry,” said Winslow coach Mike Siviski. “It’s not like a Bangor-Brewer game.”

“I would gladly trade a loss tomorrow for a conference win,” said Stearns coach Art Greenlaw. “But these are the kinds of games kids might remember for the rest of their lives.”

Stearns, defending Eastern Maine Class C champ, is unbeaten with four wins. Winslow, a Class B power, sports a 3-1 mark.

This could be a high-scoring affair as both teams are near the top of their divisions in total offense. Stearns has piled up 156 points while allowing only 18. The Black Raiders have scored 119, but opponents have scored 57 against them.

“Our schedule hasn’t been as strong as theirs, so I see us as being the team that’s untested coming in,” said Greenlaw.

Senior quarterback Adam Greenlaw holds the keys to the high-powered Minuteman offense.

“I think Greenlaw is the key to everything they do. He triggers their passing and option running game,” said Siviski.

Another marquee offensive player in the matchup may not even play. Siviski said Winslow tailback Brian Pelletier is questionable with a knee sprain.

Bangor (3-1) at Cony (1-3), Alumni Field, Augusta, 7 p.m.

A battle of the Rams: the highest-scoring team in the Pine Tree Conference vs. a program still looking for its first PTC victory.

Bangor is averaging 34 points per game and is 2-0 in the conference. Cony is averaging 14.5 points per game and is 0-2 in PTC play.

Bangor will present the biggest challenge to Cony’s defense thus far this season. Bangor is ranked first in the PTC in total yardage (1,155) and first in yards allowed with 646. Cony is sixth in both categories.

The Bangor Rams are led by senior captains Richie Day, Josh Morse, and Mike Pelkey.

Day is the PTC’s second-ranked quarterback with 402 passing yards and five touchdowns, Morse has rushed for 279 yards and two touchdowns on 44 carries, and Pelkey is third in the league in receiving (187 yards) and scoring (30 points).

Cony’s big gun is senior tailback Jody Moore, who’s third among conference rushers with 365 yards and two TDs on 64 carries. Junior split end Mike Dutil is second in receiving with 200 yards on nine catches.

Brewer (2-2) at Maine Central Institute (2-2), at Manson Park, Pittsfield, 7 p.m.

Another Class B vs. Class C matchup.

The surging Brewer Witches and MCI Huskies are trying to put together two straight wins for the first time this season.

The Witches are showing signs of getting comfortable with their new wing-T offense, averaging 25.5 points a game. MCI has scored 75 points and allowed 59 so far this season.

Both teams are 1-2 in LTC conference play.

Oxford Hills (2-2) at Gardiner (3-1), 7 p.m.

Both teams were preseason favorites to contend for the PTC title, but the Vikings of South Paris have struggled with losses to Biddeford and Waterville.

Gardiner is tied with Bangor for the PTC lead with a 2-0 conference mark and is coming off a big win over Waterville.

The Gardiner Tigers are second in the league in total offense with 1,070 yards and third in defense with 803 yards allowed.

The Vikings counter with the PTC’s third-ranked offense (1,046) and fourth-ranked defense (862).

The game features the two best backs in the PTC: Gardiner halfback Phil Alley leads in both rushing and scoring with 533 yards, seven touchdowns, and 48 points. Vikings fullback Sid Edwards has 366 yards and two TDs.


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