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It’s Championship Saturday in a regional sense, as Eastern Maine titlists will be crowned in Classes B and C while Western Maine champs in all three classes will be determined.
Eastern Maine matchups have Brewer at Winslow in Class B and Foxcroft Academy at Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln in Class C. Skowhegan played at Mt. Blue of Farmington on Friday night in the Eastern A final.
In Western Maine, defending state champion Bonny Eagle of Standish (9-2) visits 9-1 Massabesic of Waterboro for the Class A title, while 8-2 York is at reigning state champ Mountain Valley of Rumford (10-0) in Class B and 7-3 Boothbay travels to 9-1 Lisbon in Class C.
No. 3 Brewer Witches (8-2) vs. No. 1 Winslow Black Raiders (10-0), 1 p.m. Saturday, Poulin Field, Winslow: These teams have had some emotional battles over the last two years, including last year’s Eastern Maine final when Winslow came to Brewer and left with a 14-0 victory.
“The disappointment of not playing up to our capability in that game is something that makes us more determined,” said Brewer coach Ed Ortego. “Our resolve is pretty strong.”
Since dropping a 21-0 decision to Winslow at Doyle Field in Brewer during the regular season, the Witches have posted consecutive wins against Belfast, Gardiner and Leavitt of Turner Center to reach the regional final.
“We’ve been playing good teams lately,” said Ortego, “and the kids have gotten in the rhythm of competing against good teams from week to week.”
Brewer features a multifacted attack that includes the speed of senior quarterback-wingback Ricky Porter, the versatility of senior running back Zach Wilson and the power of senior fullback Ben Caldwell. Junior quarterback Ricky Adams has enabled Porter to play multiple positions, while junior tight end Ryan Babin has made some big catches in recent weeks.
“Brewer looks really improved the last few games,” said Winslow coach Mike Siviski. “Maybe the last time they played us was a wake-up call for them, and Adams playing quarterback has given them more versatility with Porter, who’s a threat to score every time he touches the ball.”
Winslow is coming off a 29-28 victory against Waterville in its semifinal, a game that pitted Waterville’s ball control against the Black Raiders’ big play capability. Winslow’s touchdowns in that game included “drives” of one, three and five plays.
“We were lucky to win that game,” said Siviski.
Winslow also boasts big-play potential. Running backs Justin Lindie, Jared Maroon and John Goulette all have breakaway speed, while Kevin McCabe has emerged as the top receiving threat for junior quarterback Stephen Siviski, the coach’s son.
“They’ve developed more threats in more areas of the field,” said Ortego.
Stephen Siviski spent the week recovering from an ankle injury that sidelined him for much of the Waterville game, and his father is hopeful he’ll be ready to go Saturday.
“With Winslow, as good as they are you have to be sound,” said Ortego. “You don’t have to be perfect, but you have to be sound.”
No. 2 Foxcroft Academy Ponies (9-1) vs. No. 1 Mattanawcook Academy Lynx (9-1), 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Curry Field, Lincoln: This is the rematch from a Week 6 battle in Lincoln in which the Ponies used a late goal-line stand to hand the Lynx their only loss of the season in a 14-12 decision.
That earlier meeting likely will figure into Round 2.
“Obviously the revenge factor is there,” said Foxcroft coach Paul Withee, whose team is making its fifth straight EM final appearance. “I don’t expect any less of a game this time, and the last time it was an all-out battle.”
Mattanawcook, seeking its first EM title since 1999, is coming off a 12-6 semifinal win over No. 4 Bucksport that left the Lynx with a corps of walking wounded for much of this week.
Among the ailing was senior tailback Duncan Markie, who has rushed for 1,532 yards and 18 touchdowns. He left the Bucksport game early with an ankle injury, while two-way tackle Ross Clapp, fullback-defensive end Randy Reed and tight end-defensive end Darren Smart also had ankle woes.
“We’ve got to find 11 able bodies to put on the field,” said MA coach Art Greenlaw.
Senior fullback Jason Murchison came up big in Markie’s absence against Bucksport with 114 rushing yards and the game-winning touchdown. Senior quarterback Dylan Hanscom (560 passing yards), wideout Shey Gardiner and tight end Isaac Young are other key offensive threats for the Lynx.
“They’re very diversified,” said Withee. “They’ve got outstanding backs and they throw the ball well.”
Foxcroft is riding a nine-game win streak, including a 42-7 semifinal victory over No. 3 Orono last Friday. In that game senior tailback Joey Caparrelli rushed for 122 yards while senior quarterback Logan Forrest completed 8 of 14 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns.
The Ponies feature three of the top nine rushers in the LTC during the regular season in Caparrelli, senior fullback James McPhee and junior wingback Brad Bellemare. That trio has a combined 2,121 rushing yards.
Forrest complements that ground game with 916 passing yards. Seniors Jon Catell, McPhee and Scott McKusick are among five Ponies with at least 100 receiving yards.
“They really spread it out,” Greenlaw said. “They have a group of good running backs, their receivers are tough and their quarterback is as good as anybody in the league.”
“I don’t think there will be a lot of surprises on either side of the ball.”
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