Larry Mahoney is working hard to defend his NEWS Football Forecast staff championship. He posted a 16-4 record last week to take a two-game lead over John Holyoke and the rest of the staff.

Deirdre Fleming’s crystal ball was in fine shape as she turned in Week 4’s best effort, an 18-2 mark.

Andrew Neff (15-5) and Dave Barber (16-4) also had good weeks to jump into a tie for third place.

Last week’s guest, Keith Jalbert of Bangor, was also a victim of the tough week and finished 13-7. Defending guest champ Kevin Hewes continues to lead at 18-2.

This week’s guest is Chris Lander, a 1984 graduate of Bangor High where he played golf and ice hockey.

Chris was an assistant pro at Bangor Municipal Golf Course in 1985 and ’86. He graduated from the University of Maine in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has been the UMaine golf coach since 1991.

He also works at XL Golf in Hermon where he manages the shop and gives lessons.

He and his wife, Beth, live in Orrington and they have a new baby, 9-day-old Samuel John.