Stearns-Foxcroft, Belfast-Winslow set for battles

Playoff action shifts to the top seeds in classes B and C today.

No. 4 Stearns of Millinocket (6-3, 4-3) at No. 1 Foxcroft Academy (8-1, 7-0), Oakes Field, 1 p.m.: This is the latest installment in what has almost become a traditional playoff matchup in the LTC “C” ranks.

“It has been for the championship game the last three years, so it seems kind of weird one of us won’t be going to it this year,” said Foxcroft coach Paul Withee, whose Ponies won the previous meeting 20-8 seven weeks ago and are looking for their first home win over Stearns in Withee’s six years.

Both teams come in banged up.

Ponies tight end Nate Laita is close to 100 percent despite some nagging injuries, and tailback Ben Preston should be ready for action after recuperating from a knee bruise. Sophomore tackle Jeff Dale is out for the season with a leg fracture.

Stearns will be without two-way lineman Eric Panasci (torn knee ligament) and punter Darrin Daniels (shoulder separation).

Foxcroft has the top league ground-gainer Preston (1,462 yards), No. 5 receiver Laita (11 catches, 321 yards), and quarterback Brock Hartford (429 yards).

Stearns has relied on option quarterback Travis Cummings (717 yards rushing, 799 passing) and running back Corey Streams (646 yards).

“I’m really looking forward to Saturday’s game. They’re a team that doesn’t scare me, but they’re very dangerous and have a lot of talented players,” Withee said.

FA’s special teams concerns Stearns coach Art Greenlaw.

“They’ve got the best tandem back there returning punts that I’ve seen in a long time. A lot of teams wouldn’t even kick to them,” he said. “We need to control the line of scrimmage, shorten the field for our offense when we’re on defense, and keep their offense off the field.”

No. 4 Belfast (4-5, 4-3) at No. 1 Winslow (7-1, 6-0), Poulin Field, 1 p.m.: This is the third straight year these teams have met in the LTC “B” semifinals, with Belfast 2-for-2.

“The key for us is the first quarter. We gave up 16 points last year, but still came back to win,” said Belfast coach Butch Arthers. “We can’t afford to do that again this year.”

Arthers’ Lions are led by quarterback Sazi Guthrie (580 rushing yards, 709 passing) and tailback Tim Parenteau (724 yards, 11 touchdowns).

“Guthrie’s the guy who makes them go. He’s the one you have to put pressure on,” said Winslow coach Mike Siviski.

Guthrie vs. Winslow’s defense is a matchup of strengths. Winslow’s top-ranked defense leads the league in interceptions and Guthrie is by far the league’s top-rated passer. Guthrie has been picked off 12 times while throwing for six touchdowns.

The Black Raiders rely on top league rusher Peter Cheesman (1,119 yards, 16 TD’s).

“We have to get Peter untracked and find ways to take some attention away from him,” said Siviski.

One of those ways might be throwing to split end Todd Carter, who’s fourth in the league with 198 yards and a 24.8 yards per catch average.