Favorites: Rams, FA, Gardiner

It’s that time again. Time for the annual one-guy-chats-up-a-few coaches-and-chats-up folks-who-chatted-up-a-few-other-coaches, then-puts-his-finger-into-the-air-to-gauge-the-prevailing-sentiment Eastern Maine high school football preseason poll.

High school polls have popped up all over the place in recent years, and the best thing about them is they mean nothing, because unlike in big-time college football, these titles are determined totally on the field, this year on Saturday, Nov. 17, at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland.

But who can resist the guessing game?

Class A: Defending state champ Lawrence of Fairfield, Bangor, Lewiston and Skowhegan seem best positioned to vie for the 2007 EM crown.

Lawrence has a solid group back from its undefeated 2006 squad. Lewiston lost Fitzpatrick Trophy winner Jared Turcotte to the University of Maine but may have the requisite returning talent to advance even deeper than last fall’s regional semifinal run.

Skowhegan, while young in 2006, boasts plenty of experience now – not to mention a double-wing offense that has proven frustrating to rival defenses.

But the pick is Bangor. The Rams have three-year starters at virtually every skill position, and are adapting quite nicely to a newly installed Wing-T formation. They also are taking a page from Lawrence’s playbook, trading in some size for more athleticism and aggressiveness along the line of scrimmage.

Class B: This division may be deeper in the middle than it is at the top, the result of significant graduation losses among several 2006 playoff teams – including Hampden Academy, Mount Desert Island and Waterville.

Those teams all still will figure in the postseason chase with younger players getting better by the game. Belfast will be its competitive self, led by a rugged ground game and an aggressive defense, and Morse of Bath is a sleeper pick.

While defending champion Winslow sent a stellar group of skill-position players off to college, the Black Raiders will turn to a big line and their even bigger tradition – four regional titles in the last seven years – in its quest to repeat.

But the pick is Gardiner. The Tigers, who lost to Winslow in last year’s EM final after defeating the Black Raiders during the regular season, return the most veteran team among the contenders led by senior quarterback Kyle Stilphen.

Class C: As many as six teams begin the season with the highest of aspirations.

Orono gained valuable experience last year in hopes of returning to the playoffs, and Bucksport always is a strong contender. Another narrow miss last fall will provide additional motivation for Rockland, while John Bapst of Bangor brings back its most veteran team in years after breaking a decade-long postseason drought last fall.

But any discussion of this division ultimately ends with a rematch of the 2005 and 2006 LTC finals – Foxcroft Academy vs. Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln.

MA returns more experience, particularly along the line of scrimmage, but Foxcroft truly is the reloading type, transforming one year’s depth into the next year’s stars. The Ponies have played in six straight Eastern C finals, winning four regional titles and the 2003 state championship.

MA nearly ousted Foxcroft in last year’s EM final, but until they are defeated on the field the Ponies are the choice to win it all again.

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