LTC’s Class B schools facing playoff games

While it’s week nine – the final week of the regular season for most football teams this week – it’s week one of the playoffs in the LTC Class B ranks and the Southern Maine Athletic Association.

With LTC B champ Winslow earning a week off with the bye that goes to the top seed, the action shifts to three playoff games, one of which will be played on Saturday.

Orono (2-6) at Messalonskee (5-3), Oakland, 7 p.m. – The No. 7 Red Riots are in an uncommon position at this time of the year: last place. But one of the Riots’ two wins came against the No. 2 Eagles five weeks ago.

Both teams feature solid running attacks: Orono sophomore Brad Nadeau has rushed for 343 yards on 88 carries and is has emerged as the workhorse after injury sidelined Chris Monberg. Messalonskee’s Ryan Blethen has scored 57 points and totalled 693 yards and eight TD’s on 125 carries.

If the game comes down to passing, the Eagles appear to hold an edge with quarterback Geoff Ponitz who has completed 17 of 46 passes for 284 yards and five touchdowns. He has been intercepted twice.

Mount Desert Island (1-7) at Old Town (5-3), Victory Field, 7 p.m. – It’s a tall order for the No. 6 Trojans as they try to dislodge a thirdtall order for the No. 6 Trojans as they try to dislodge a third-seeded Indians team featuring a well-balanced and punishing running game.

Old Town’s offense is led by two-way standout Peter Baker, who has 1,105 yards, 100 points, and 14 TD’s on 105 rushes. His backfield partner is fullback Alger Yanush, who has 642 yards and six TD’s – also on 105 carries. Yanush has also scored on eight two-point conversion runs.

Indians quarterback Jeremy Belyea is the LTC B’s No. 2 passer with 484 yards and three touchdowns on 14-of-33 passing. He has been picked off twice.

The Trojans are led by running back Joe Wardman (531 yards, five touchdowns, 91 carries).

Backup quarterback Lee Stillwell has thrown for 143 yards on 18-of-55 passing since taking over for Max McGarr, who got knocked out of the season at the halfway point. Stillwell is still looking for his first passing TD after throwing seven interceptions.