EM title contests feature old rivals Belfast vs. Winslow; Foxcroft vs. Stearns

Familiar rivals will battle Saturday for Eastern Maine football championships in Classes B and C.

Belfast Lions (7-2) vs. Winslow (9-0), 1 p.m., Saturday, Poulin Field, Winslow: These teams have met in the playoffs 10 of the last 11 years and combined to win nine of the last 11 Eastern B titles.

In their last 22 meetings overall, each team has won 11 times.

“It’s a nice tradition we’ve had the last several seasons,” said Belfast co-coach Butch Richards. “They get up for us, and we get up for them, and it’s kind of strange when we get to this point and one of us isn’t playing.”

Winslow earned a 28-14 regular-season win at Belfast, as Derek Runnells rushed for 100 yards and two TDs.

One difference in the rematch will be the condition of Belfast quarterback-linebacker Nick Arthers. Arthers played in the first Winslow game, but it was his first full game back after being sidelined with shoulder problems, and he played only on offense.

“One of the keys will be Arthers being back at full strength,” Siviski said. “He was back the first time we played, but he wasn’t right yet, and he was able to run the ball pretty well against Brewer last week.”

Arthers rushed for 62 yards and one touchdown and passed for another TD in the Lions’ 32-0 semifinal win at Brewer. Josh Aldus, a 1,000-yard rusher, had 126 yards and two scores and fullback Paul Herman added 78 total yards and a TD reception.

“Belfast is such a formidable opponent,” Siviski said. “They’ve got tremendous team speed.”

Runnells rushed for 273 yards and four TDs in Winslow’s 47-19 semifinal victory against Oak Hill of Sabattus to top 1,000 yards for the season. The Black Raiders amassed 547 total yards under the leadership of quarterback Josh LaPointe.

“Winslow, like any good team, is not going to surprise you,” Richards said. “They’re where they are because they do certain things well. We like to think the same about ourselves. We’ve had some success over the years because we do what we do well.

“What we need to do against Winslow is take care of our assignments and not let the big play hurt us.”

Stearns Minutemen (9-1) vs. Foxcroft Academy Ponies (10-0), 1 p.m., Saturday, Oakes Field, Dover-Foxcroft: This will be the 10th straight year these teams have met in the playoffs, with Stearns holding a 5-4 edge but Foxcroft winning semifinal matchups each of the last two years.

Foxcroft rallied from a 13-0 deficit to earn a 14-13 regular-season victory earlier this fall.

“For us, it was the first time in a couple of years that we’ve been down that many points, 13-0, and I was very proud of the way our kids persevered and rallied together,” said Foxcroft coach Paul Withee.

“It showed us that when we do have a lead we can’t sit back and wait for the clock to run out,” added Stearns coach Chris Preble.

Foxcroft’s attack, led by 1,000-yard passer Josh Withee, also features 1,000-yard rusher Bobby Gilbert, fullback Lincoln Robinson and wideouts Greg Perry and Matt Earnest.

“Foxcroft always finds a way at a crucial point to come up with a big pass play or a big run play. We’ve got to keep that from happening,” said Preble.

“And we’ve got to get pressure on Withee. If he has time to sit back and read and pick the guy he wants to throw to, he’s lethal, so you have to get to him immediately.”

Stearns counters with several playmakers of its own in quarterback Derek DiFrederico, running backs Matt Wark and Matt Barnett, fullback Craig Cullen and tight end Matt LeGassey.

“Up front is the key for us on offense, because Stearns has the best defense in the league statistically,” said Josh Withee, a senior who also plays in Foxcroft’s defensive secondary.

“On our defensive side of the ball, we need to contain Derek DiFrederico and hold the other guys to a minimum because they’re tough, too.”