November 14, 2024
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Bucksport-MA matchup key as postseason nears

Week seven of the high school football season is devoid of the many eye-catching headliner contests fans were treated to a week ago, but the games are no less relevant as teams jockey for postseason position and try to hold their breath a bit longer for last-gasp playoff chances.

Waterville (3-3) at Bangor (6-0), 7 p.m., Cameron Stadium: The Rams are still looking to put a little more distance between themselves and 5-1 Mt. Blue, but with a loss against Bangor, Mt. Blue is actually two games behind and almost 20 points back in the all-important Crabtree point system.

The Rams are rolling behind tailback Buddy Nickerson, the PTC’s No. 2 rusher with 779 yards and 12 touchdowns on 142 carries, the No. 3 quarterback in Chris Bombardier (534 yards on 38-for-71 passing), and the No. 2 defense (186.7 total yards per game).

Waterville counters with Cody DeGuzman (385 yards, five TDs, 61 carries) and an opportunistic passing attack keyed by end Matt Picurro (seven catches for 179 yards and three TDs). The Purple Panthers are yielding slightly more than 257 yards per game, but their defense has held teams to an average of 15.8 points per game.

Brewer (5-1) at Old Town (1-5), 7 p.m., Victory Field: The Witches rank first in defense and second in offense among LTC teams as they try for just their second six-win season in six years. Old Town is struggling with injuries and youth, but quarterback Jeremy Stormann leads the LTC with 531 passing yards and six TDs while converted fullback Adam Sokoloski is No. 2 among receivers with 14 catches and 363 yards. Leading the charge for the Witches are Seth Emerson (551 yards and six TDs on 45 carries) and Josh Caldwell (271 yards, eight TDs, 55 carries) as Brewer is averaging 277.6 rushing yards per game.

Mattanawcook Academy (4-2) at Bucksport (5-1), 7 p.m., Carmichael Field: The 39th meeting between these two LTC mainstays has playoff implications as the Golden Bucks have the inside track for the top seeding and the Lynx of Lincoln are trying to improve their positioning. The Bucks have a commanding 27-10-1 record in the series and are coming off a huge win over Foxcroft Academy in which their defense was so good, it was selected as a whole to be LTC Class C “player of the week.” Key players are Bucksport’s Warren Chase (48 points, 421 yards rushing) and Chris Woodman (455 yards rushing, 7 TDs), and MA’s Ty Gardner (508 yards rushing).

Foxcroft Academy (4-2) at Maine Central Institute (2-4), 7 p.m., Pittsfield: The Ponies want to put last week’s disappointing loss out of their minds and the Huskies are just hoping to stay alive for the playoffs less than a year after coming one win away from a state title. Foxcroft’s Danny White is the No. 2 scorer in the LTC with 58 points. He and Josh Sands have combined for 829 yards and 10 TDs. MCI’s Tom Twombly carries the bulk of the load with 563 yards on 83 carries.

Dexter (3-3) at Orono (2-4), 7 p.m.: It’s another game where the loser may have to give up on the playoffs, although the Tigers have a better shot than the Red Riots right now. Adam Russell leads the Tigers with 513 yards rushing, but Kevin Armstrong is right behind with 496. Jason Mishou (428 yards rushing) leads Orono’s attack.

Messalonskee (4-2) at Mt. Blue (5-1), 7 p.m., Caldwell Field, Farmington: The PTC’s top-ranked offense meets the No. 1 defense in game with heavy playoff implications as both are battling for a home field playoff berth. The visiting Eagles of Oakland are giving up only 183 total yards per game despite having no single player among the league’s top 21. The Cougars are averaging 327.2 per game on offense behind top-ranked QB Foster Oakley (63-for-114, 929 yards) and halfback Matt Waite (550 yards on 71 carries).

John Bapst (0-6) at Stearns (3-3), 7 p.m., Alumni Field, Millinocket: The visiting Crusaders of Bangor are out to snap a 29-game losing streak dating back to the sixth week of the 1998 season, when they had to forfeit games due to a lack of players. Despite an 0-3 start, the Minutemen find themselves in the playoff race and need this game badly to stay alive and kicking. Key players are Stearns’ Ryan Sweeney (261 yards rushing, three TDs) and Bapst’s Pat Healy (431 yards rushing).


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