Road to playoffs less jammed for Week 8

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Week 8 of the high school football campaign marks the end of the regular season in Class A, but the continuation of playoff posturing in Classes B and C.

Winslow (6-0) vs. Belfast (5-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Belfast: These schools have produced nine of the last 11 Eastern B champions – Belfast winning in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999 and 2002 and Winslow in 1992, 1993, 2000 and 2001.

“We look at Winslow,” said Belfast co-coach Butch Arthers, “and they’re an excellent football team that seems to bring out the best in us, and we seem to bring out the best in them.”

Winslow has breezed through its first six games, rarely being tested after intermission.

“I’ve been concerned about the lack of playing time our starters have been getting in a lot of games,” said Winslow coach Mike Siviski. “A big question will be how prepared we are to play a full game.”

That question should be answered over the next two weeks, with Belfast and next week’s foe, Brewer, holding a combined 10-2 record.

“We thought our two most difficult games might come at the end of the season with Belfast and Brewer,” said Siviski. “Friday night will be a real challenge for us, and it may be a game for home field advantage in the playoffs.”

Winslow boasts a veteran line and explosive backs, particularly Derek Runnels (590 rushing yards, 11 TDs) and Ryan Lindie (8.8 yards per carry). Quarterback Josh LaPointe has completed 62 percent of his passes for 366 yards.

Belfast features the conference’s leading rusher in junior Josh Aldus (725 yards, 16 TDs), as well as a dangerous receiving and kick-return threat in Garren Horne and a defense anchored by middle linebacker Paul Herman.

The Lions will welcome back senior quarterback Nick Arthers to the lineup. Arthers has missed much of the season due to two different injuries to his left, or non-throwing, shoulder.

Hampden Academy (4-2) vs. Brewer (5-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Brewer: Brewer’s current run of five straight victories – in addition to an exhibition win at Gorham – has been fueled by a steadily improving option offense and a resilient defense.

“Our D-line has really set the table for everything we do defensively,” said Brewer coach Ed Ortego. “Nobody’s knocked them back, and we’ve rotated eight, nine or 10 linemen into a game. That helps a lot in terms of depth, and they’ve all done a good job of staying low and putting forth a good line charge.”

That defense has gotten a boost from senior free safety Andy Frost, who had two interceptions in the Witches’ 16-7 win at Leavitt last Friday night to earn PTC Class B Player of the Week honors.

The Brewer defense figures to be tested by a Hampden Academy team in search of a playoff berth of its own.

“They’ve probably got as much speed as anyone we’ve played,” Ortego said. “They run a lot of quick-hitting plays, and we’ve got to make sure we stay in position or they’ll take it all the way.”

Hampden is battling 4-2 Oak Hill – a team that defeated the Broncos 7-0 in week 5 – for what likely will be the fourth and final PTC Class B playoff berth.

While Oak Hill doesn’t have too many Crabtree points available in its remaining games against 1-5 Morse of Bath on Saturday and 0-6 Old Town next week, the Broncos have a pair of point-worthy opponents left, Brewer and then 5-1 Belfast on Halloween.

But to claim a playoff berth, coach John Sparacio’s club likely needs to win at least one of those games.

Bangor Rams (6-1) vs. Messalonskee Eagles (3-4), 7 p.m. Friday at Oakland: With a win Bangor can conclude its regular season unbeaten in PTC play, with its only loss at Western A’s Cheverus of Portland in week 2.

The Rams also are looking to build on their current five-game winning streak. Bangor has outscored its last three opponents by a combined 106-7, thanks to a punishing rushing attack featuring senior tailback Mike Prentiss – one of the state’s top rushers with more than 1,350 yards – and a defense that has allowed just 20 points in its last six games.

“The guys are really focused on trying to do something special,” said Bangor coach Mark Hackett.

Messalonskee has a chance to claim the fourth and final playoff berth in the PTC North, but likely needs to upset Bangor in order to push past Cony of Augusta in the Crabtree point ratings.

“That’s the way we’re looking at it, that this is do or die for them, so they’ll be fired up to play us,” said Hackett.

Foxcroft Academy Ponies (7-0) vs. Rockland Tigers (4-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Rockland: Foxcroft seeks to extend its regular-season winning streak to 20 games against a Rockland team on a roll of its own.

The Tigers, paced by senior running back Trevor Davis, have won four of their last five games since opening the season with losses at Stearns and Bucksport.

“Rockland is big,” said Foxcroft coach Paul Withee. “Their quarterback [John Coppola] does a nice job throwing the ball, and Davis is a decent back.”

Foxcroft is poised for a second straight first-place finish in the LTC regular-season standings, and with that comes home field advantage throughout the Eastern C playoffs.

The Ponies features the state’s stingiest Class C defense, a unit led by senior linebacker Lincoln Robinson that is allowing just 6.7 points per game.

Offensively the Ponies rely on senior quarterback Josh Withee (711 passing yards, 8 TDs, 1 interception) and junior tailback Bobby Gilbert (98 carries, 624 yards, 10 TDs).

“We’ve been pretty consistent all season,” said coach Withee.