Tigers stalking Rams for PTC championship

It is the game that members of both teams, whether they want to admit it or not, circled the date for on their calendars weeks ago.

It’s Bangor at Gardiner, Friday night, 7 p.m. The unbeaten Tigers hosting the undefeated Rams with the Pine Tree Conference championship hanging in the balance.

This game has enough interesting numbers to make it a statistician’s dream.

It’s a matchup of the top two offenses in the PTC. In fact, Bangor brings in the conference’s top-ranked offense and defenses. Gardiner is third in total defense.

“This place will be packed,” said Gardiner coach Rob Munzing. “I wouldn’t say it’s like a playoff game, but it’s kind of a dress rehearsal.”

Both highly-touted defenses will be sorely tested as four of the PTC’s top five scoring players will play in the game: Gardiner’s Phil Alley and Paul Stilphen (66 and 54 points, respectively), and Bangor’s Mike Pelkey and Richie Day (56 and 50).

A glance at the other key statistical matchups shows that Bangor is the top rushing team, Gardiner is No. 3 against the rush. Bangor is ranked fourth in passing, Gardiner is third in pass defense. Gardiner is second best in rushing, Bangor is tops against the run. Gardiner is fifth in passing, Bangor’s fifth in pass defense.

“When you look at both teams, they’re mirror images of each other,” Munzing said.

Alley is the top rusher in the league, with 761 yards and nine touchdowns on 147 carries. Bangor’s top rusher is fullback Josh Morse, who has rushed 83 times for 481 yards and two touchdowns.

Bangor features a big-play offense guided by wingback Mike Pelkey and quarterback Richie Day, the second-ranked passer in the PTC. Day has completed 29 of 56 passes for 678 yards, eight TD’s, and only one interception.

Pelkey is ranked in the top three in four categories: receiving, kick returns, scoring, and interceptions. He has made 15 receptions for 334 yards and three TD’s, scored twice on returns and once more on an interception.

Gardiner’s success is predicated on its running game. The Tigers need big games out of Alley, Stilphen (nine TD’s, 268 yards on 65 carries) and sophomore running back Mike Madore (2 TD’s, 259 yards, 29 carries).

Stilphen has similar numbers to Pelkey – both have completed 51 percent of their passes – but has thrown fewer TD passes (six) and has been picked off three times.

His favorite target is senior split end Bob Wiles, who’s hauled in nine receptions for 305 yards and three scores.

Winslow (5-2) at Orono (5-2), 7 p.m.

Unless Messalonskee and Belfast stumble, this is the battle for third place in LTC Class B.

“There’s still so many playoff scenarios, this could be for home field advantage,” said Winslow coach Mike Siviski.

Traditionally, this game has matched two of the best rushing teams in the PTC. But don’t be surprised if both teams throw in some new wrinkles on offense.

“They threw the ball six out of the first seven times in their first series last week. So who knows?,” Siviski said.

Messalonskee (7-0) at Brewer (4-3), Doyle Field, 7 p.m.

Messalonskee won a big one last week over Belfast to take over the LTC Class B top spot, but still faces hurdles to an undefeated season with up-and-down Brewer and 5-2 Winslow left on the schedule.

The Eagles from Oakland want to keep their momentum going while the Witches of Brewer need a win to keep their fading playoff hopes alive.

“We looked at our schedule a couple weeks ago and knew the last four weeks would be tough for us,” said Messalonskee coach John Hersom. “We can’t afford to look past Brewer.”

Messalonskee will continue to try and put pressure on the offensive line with its fierce pass rush.

Both teams will have to slow down the other’s running game to win. Mike Williams and Brad Rodrigue key the Eagles’ attack whil Brewer is led by Peter Phelan and Eric Duffey.

Bucksport (2-5) at John Bapst (2-5), Cameron Stadium, 7 p.m.

Thanks to a two-game winning streak, the host Crusaders have turned this into a game with playoff implications. Both are among four tied for the fourth and final playoff spot in the LTC’s Class C division. A win would give either team the inside track on the final playoff berth.