Rams host undefeated Skowhegan Rockland battles Bapst in pivotal LTC clash

Week 5 of the high school football season marks the start of the second half of the schedule, and with it the sense of urgency becomes heightened as playoff scenarios begin to assume a more prominent place in the minds of all who began preseason practices with lofty ambitions.

Skowhegan Indians (4-0) vs. Bangor Rams (3-1), 7 p.m. Friday, Cameron Stadium, Bangor: These teams haven’t met in a countable game since the 2004 Eastern A final, when Bangor edged Skowhegan 28-22 to avenge a 44-8 regular-season loss to the Indians.

Both teams feature high-scoring offenses, with Bangor averaging 43 points per game and Skowhegan at 42 ppg.

“I don’t think we’re going to be able to shut them down completely,” said Bangor coach Mark Hackett. “I think it could be three scores to two, or it could be six scores to five.”

Skowhegan features a punishing ground game from its double-wing formation, though in recent weeks coach Mike Marston’s Indians also have shown a power-I formation.

Senior Zach Whiting has rushed for more than 200 yards in each of the last three games, and has 788 yards and 10 TDs on just 71 carries. Junior Billy Clark has added 335 yards.

“Their power running game is a concern,” said Hackett.

Skowhegan has passed infrequently, with senior quarterback Eric Thistle completing 6 of 14 attempts for 146 yards.

Bangor also relies heavily on the run, led by seniors Kyle Vanidestine (417 rushing yards) and Shane Walton (314 yards).

Bangor is in the midst of its toughest stretch of the season, with next week’s game at Lewiston potentially its third unbeaten opponent in four weeks, though Lewiston visits 3-1 Mount Ararat of Topsham this weekend.

“I like where we’re at right now,” said Hackett. “The leadership has come forward, and I like the fact we’ve got some tough games down the stretch. It should be exciting.”

John Bapst Crusaders (3-1) vs. Rockland Tigers (3-1), 7 p.m. Friday, Wasgatt Field, Rockland: Last year’s meeting was one of the most exciting games of the season, with John Bapst edging Rockland 27-26.

That win ultimately was the difference as John Bapst made its first postseason appearance since 1997 and Rockland just missed a playoff berth.

“When we beat them last year, at the time we knew it would be big,” said John Bapst coach Dan O’Connell. “But we didn’t know how big.”

The rematch has its own LTC playoff implications. John Bapst, Rockland and Orono are all tied for second place, one game behind 4-0 Foxcroft Academy and one game ahead of both Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln and Bucksport.

Both teams are riding three-game win streaks since opening-night losses, Bapst by one point at Foxcroft and Rockland by 22-12 at Mattanawcook.

Rockland and John Bapst also represent the most balanced offenses in the conference. Rockland features senior quarterback Andrew Weiss, who is working his way back toward 100 percent after suffering a shoulder injury in the season opener, along with sophomore running back Sam Weiss – who has 10 touchdowns in the last two games – and wideout Nick Baudanza.

“We’ve got to account for Andrew Weiss,” said O’Connell. “Offensively, defensively or on special teams he’s capable of making big plays. The kids understand they definitely have a big test ahead of them.”

John Bapst counters with senior quarterback Kyle Gallant, senior tailback Nick Smith and senior wideout Aaron Healey.

“They’ve got great guys in the specialty areas, guys who can catch the ball, a guy who can throw it and guys who can run it, and up front they’re pretty big,” said Rockland coach Woody Moore.

Hampden Academy Broncos (2-2) vs. Leavitt Hornets (3-1), 7 p.m. Saturday at Turner Center: These teams are meeting for the first time since a 2005 PTC Class B quarterfinal won by Leavitt 46-21.

This year’s game poses a matchup between a Hampden defense coming off a shutout victory over Mount Desert Island against a Leavitt offense averaging 29 points per game.

Given that Hampden has not scored more than 14 points in a game yet this fall, it’s imperative the Broncos slow the Hornets’ attack if they are to earn their first road win of the season and move above .500 for the first time in 2007.

Hampden boasts the current PTC Class B player of the week in wideout Nolan Turner (13 catches, 276 yards), while Leavitt is led by QB Evan Barker (378 rushing yards, 355 passing yards and 11 TDs).

Oak Hill Raiders (1-3) vs. Mount Desert Island Trojans (2-2), 7 p.m. Friday, Bar Harbor: MDI earned a 42-18 victory over Oak Hill at Sabattus last fall, but don’t expect this game to be as high scoring.

MDI has been solid defensively, yielding just 34 points in three games since a season-opening 34-6 loss at Winslow. Oak Hill has allowed the second-most points in the PTC B ranks, but its losses have come to the top three teams in the standings – Gardiner, Leavitt and Winslow.

An MDI win could improve its chances to host a postseason game in a month, while a loss would further jam an already-crowded middle of the PTC Class B pack.