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It’s officially playoff time in all three high school football classifications, but only three games will dot the Eastern Maine schedule Friday night: one Pine Tree Conference semifinal and both LTC Class C semifinal games.
No. 3 Mattanawcook Academy (6-3) at No. 2 Bucksport (7-2), 7 p.m., Carmichael Field:
The last time these teams hooked up, the Golden Bucks’ big-play offense bombed the Lynx 35-6 in week four. It doesn’t figure to be a repeat this time around as MA’s defense has greatly improved in the last four weeks.
The Bucks’ offensive arsenal includes running backs Ronnie Hutchins (655 yards on 104 carries), Jason Gifford and Chad Gilley, quarterback Cameron Giroux (43-for-106 for 842 yards), and receiver Peter Saunders (17 catches, 419 yards).
MA will look to quarterback B.J. Birtz (37-85, 593 yards) and running backs Jared McCarthy, Miah Coffin and Wade Jordan.
The Lynx will be a bit undermanned as left tackle Floyd Wilcox, who shares time with Josh Vance, is questionable with a possible case of pneumonia and a bad back will limit the time of junior fullback-outside linebacker-placekicker Jordan. Sophomore Nate Leighton will spell Jordan at fullback.
No. 4 Foxcroft Academy (6-3) at No. 1 Stearns (9-0), 7 p.m., Alumni Field, Millinocket:
One year later, these two teams will hook up again in the LTC semifinals. Last year, the Ponies edged the Minutemen 9-6. The two teams have met in the semis or finals each of the last four years, with the Ponies having won the last two.
The Minutemen come in with the top-ranked offense and defense with 3,221 yards and 1,267 yards allowed. Stearns has outscored opponents 310 points to 49.
Foxcroft struggled just to get in the playoffs, having to win its last game to swipe the final spot. The Ponies finished near the bottom of the conference in offense with 1,456 yards and fourth in defense with 1,894 allowed.
Stearns is loaded offensively with running backs Seth Dickinson, Justin Cummings and Ben Lankhorst, quarterback Aaron Civiello, and split end Charlie Fling.
Brian Bellemare is FA’s main man on offense. The LTC Class C player of the week scored four touchdowns last week to give him nine for the season. The starting running back-placekicker-defensive back missed three games to a pinched nerve in his neck, but is back healthy.
No. 4 Oxford Hills (6-3) at No. 1 Gardiner (8-1), 7 p.m., Hoch Field:
It’s an eagerly-anticipated rematch for the top-seeded Tigers, who suffered their lone loss to the Vikings 21-14 eight weeks ago.
Both teams favor the running game, but Oxford Hills is better-balanced offensively. The Vikings have the PTC’s No. 5 rusher in sophomore tailback Ryan Wilson and the No. 4 passer in sophomore quarterback Mike Mowatt.
Wilson has amassed 839 yards despite missing one of his last four games with an ankle sprain. Mowatt has thrown for 916 yards and five TD’s with a 53.0 completion percentage. Mowatt’s favorite target is senior split end Darren Lewis, the PTC’s No. 2 receiver with 507 yards and four TD’s.
Gardiner counters with Pat Munzing, the third-leading rusher with 849 yards and 13 TD’s on 158 carries and junior quarterback Vin LaVallee, who has rushed for 759 yards and passed for 399 more.
Teamwise, Gardiner owns the second-ranked defense with 1,820 yards allowed and the No. 5 offense (2,689). Oxford Hills is fourth in defense (2,078) and offense (2,702).
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