Western Maine foes provide challenges Bonny Eagle seeks second straight title

The Western Maine representatives in Saturday’s state football finals include the lone 2004 champion still with a chance to make it two in a row in Class A Bonny Eagle of Standish, a preseason favorite to contend for top honors in Class C Lisbon, and a Class B York team that may be a year ahead of schedule.

Bonny Eagle will face Mt. Blue of Farmington in the 11 a.m. Class A final at Portland’s Fitzpatrick Stadium, followed by the B game between York and Brewer at 2:30 p.m. and the C clash between Lisbon and Foxcroft Academy at 6 p.m.

The York Wildcats graduated 20 of 22 starters from their 2004 team, and just four seniors start for ninth-year coach Randy Small’s club.

“I don’t think anyone expected us to be here at the start of the season,” said Small.

York (9-2) is seeking its first state title since 1989. The Wildcats also won Western B titles in 2000 and 2001, but lost to Winslow in the state final both years.

York was thumped by rival Wells 41-6 in its regular-season finale, but avenged that loss in the regional semifinals before ousting 2004 Class B state champ Mountain Valley of Rumford 16-14 in WM final, ending the Falcons’ 21-game winning streak.

York is led by junior tailback Zach Pruger, who has rushed for 1,450 yards and 16 touchdowns, and senior quarterback Chris Knox, who doubles as an all-conference outside linebacker. All-conference tight end Anthony Romano, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound junior, is the leading receiver, while junior wideouts Dan Moran and Al Blomquist are other threats.

“We take what the other team gives us,” said Small. “We’ve thrown three times in a game, and we’ve thrown it 30 times in a game.”

Brandon Cross, a two-time all-conference middle linebacker, anchors the defense with Knox and Jim Quinn, an all-league defensive end.

Lisbon (10-1) is led by senior tailback-free safety Levi Ervin and 6-foot-4, 280-pound tackle Elijah Trefts.

Ervin, a 6-foot-4, 205-pound tailback, has rushed for more than 1,500 yards for 18th-year coach Dick Mynahan’s Greyhounds, and also leads the team in pass receiving.

Levi’s just a tremendous student-athlete,” said Mynahan. “He’s a four-year player for me, and probably his best position is not running back, but he does a tremendous job both on the field and as a leader.”

Trefts creates much of the running room for Ervin while also anchoring a defense that allowed just 45 points in 11 games – including no touchdowns in the last four games and just two TDs since Lisbon lost to Mattanawcook Academy 21-14 in Week 3 of the season.

Senior Chris Brunick, a converted wide receiver, handles the quarterback duties for Lisbon, and while the Greyhounds aren’t a prolific passing team, Mynahan likes the growth he has seen in his signal caller.

“In the second half of the Mattanawcook game, he really took over the team and led us to a couple of touchdowns,” said Mynahan. “I think that was the night Chris became a quarterback.”

Lisbon is back in the state final for the second time in three years, and is seeking its first Class C title since 1997. The Greyhounds lost to Foxcroft 26-20 in the 2003 final and rallied past the Ponies 19-14 in 1997.

Bonny Eagle returns to the Class A final for the second straight year after winning the school’s first state championship in 2004.

Graduated is Fitzpatrick Trophy finalist Matt O’Donnell, a quarterback who both passed and rushed for more than 1,000 yards a year ago while running the Scots’ spread offense.

But in his place is his brother, senior Mike O’Donnell, who has been nearly as successful in leading eighth-year coach Kevin Cooper’s club to a 9-2 record. O’Donnell, quarterbacking for the first time since middle school, also has topped 1,000 yards both rushing and passing while directing an attack that features senior fullback John Wiechman.

Wiechman, who starred for Bonny Eagle in last year’s state final, has rushed for more than 1,500 yards for the second straight year behind an offensive front led by two-way standout Charlie Butler.