While Pine Tree Conference Class A football schedulers are trying to adapt to a dwindling membership – the division is expected to have 11 teams in 2005, compared to 14 in 2004 -PTC Class B organizers are working to develop a schedule to deal with an increased enrollment.

The PTC B ranks, nine teams strong in 2004, are expected to include 12 schools in 2005, with Waterville and Gardiner dropping down from the PTC A and Maranacook of Readfield likely to move up from the LTC Class C division.

Work is under way to develop a new PTC B schedule, and according to Winslow High athletic director Sean Keenan one possible scenario would include two, six-team divisions, with each team playing an eight-game regular-season schedule.

Under that scenario, each school would play all other teams in its division, as well as three games against teams in the opposite division.

That would be followed by an eight-team playoff format, up from four teams in recent years. Keenan hopes a full schedule, and a breakdown of which schools are in which division, can be developed in time for the March 2 meeting of the PTC-Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference athletic directors.

A record for Rix

Some Maine wrestling history was made last week, as Deanna Rix of Marshwood of South Berwick became the first schoolgirl wrestler in state history to achieve 100 career victories. Rix, the daughter of Marshwood coach Matt Rix, defeated Heath Devoll of Noble of North Berwick 5-2 in a 130-pound match to improve her career record to 100-35 and her season’s record to 23-1.

Rix, a senior, is set to attend Northern Michigan University on a wrestling scholarship in the fall. Noble, the six-time Class A state champion, won the meet 36-29 before a crowd estimated at 1,500.

Timing key for Archer, Heaney

The best time for a high school wrestler to earn his 100th career victory is at a home meet, where friends and families can share in the celebration. But the next-best place may be at a conference championship, regional or state meet, as Cyle Heaney of Foxcroft Academy and Chris Archer of Hermon discovered Saturday during the Penobscot Valley Conference championships at Caribou High School.

Heaney, the PVC 119-pound champion, earned his 100th win with a 7-1 semifinal victory over Jon Pelletier of Bucksport. Archer, who placed second at 171 pounds, also got win No. 100 in the semifinals as he earned a 16-4 major decision over Brandon Chase of Mount Desert Island.

When each achievement was announced, Heaney and Archer were congratulated by literally dozens of their peers, who came out of the stands and stood in line for the chance to express their appreciation for the work required to reach the 100-win mark.

Both Heaney and Archer should be among the top contenders in their weight classes as the Eastern Maine championships are held Saturday. The Eastern A meet is scheduled to be held at Mt. Blue High in Farmington, while Class B will be held at Mount Desert Island High in Bar Harbor and the Class C regional is set for Foxcroft Academy.

The state championship meets for all classes follow on Saturday, Feb. 12, at the Augusta Civic Center. Archer finished second in the 171-pound class at last year’s Class C state meet, while Heaney placed third among Class C wrestlers at 112.

Ernie Clark can be reached at 990-8045, 1-800-310-8600 or eclark@bangordailynews.net