Lawrence, FA, Falcons will reign

Just three games remain in the high school season – all with the Gold Ball as a prize. So here are the picks for Saturday’s state championship games at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland, in the order of when they will be played:

Class A, Lawrence (11-0) vs. Bonny Eagle (11-0): This game is a tribute to Lawrence of Fairfield football past and present.

The current Bulldogs are the defending state champs, and coach John Hersom’s club owns the state’s longest winning streak at 22 games.

Bonny Eagle of Standish, the 2004 and 2005 state champion, is built on Lawrence tradition. Coach Kevin Cooper played on two state championship teams at Lawrence during the 1980s under his father, Pete, who coached the Bulldogs for 28 years and now assists his son with the Scots.

Both teams boast dynamic offenses led by top quarterbacks in Lawrence senior Jack Hersom – who gets my Fitzpatrick Trophy vote – and Bonny Eagle junior Nate Doehler – the early Fitzy favorite next year.

Both teams also feature aggressive defenses, particularly Lawrence, which has allowed just two touchdowns in three playoff victories.

Western A may have been deeper among its eight playoff qualifiers, but I’ve believed throughout the year that Lawrence, Bonny Eagle and Bangor are the state’s three best teams.

And the way Lawrence took Bangor’s best shot last weekend before pulling away late in the Eastern A final is enough to convince me the Bulldogs still have the talent and mental toughness to fend off any challenge – including Bonny Eagle.

Prediction: Lawrence 28-21.

Class C, Foxcroft Academy (11-0) vs. Boothbay (10-1): Fitzpatrick Stadium has become a second home for Foxcroft, which will be playing there for the fifth time in the six years Championship Saturday has been held in Portland.

This is a rematch of the 2002 final won by Boothbay that matches Foxcroft’s athleticism and depth against Boothbay’s relentless double-wing – an offense Foxcroft hasn’t faced since 2002.

The difference this time may be on defense. Foxcroft has allowed just one TD in two postseason wins and just 68 points throughout the fall; its defense featuring ends Jon Geiger and Evan Worthing, a stout interior and considerable strength and quickness on the edges.

Boothbay, which exceeded preseason expectations by winning the Western C title, has allowed more than twice as many points (147) as the Ponies this fall and has yet to post a shutout this season.

That may be attributed to the depth from top to bottom in Western C this season, but I think the LTC was deeper at the top, with Foxcroft, John Bapst of Bangor and a healthy Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln team all capable of faring well against the best from the West.

Prediction: Foxcroft 27-14.

Class B, Gardiner (10-1) vs. Mountain Valley (10-1): I’ve been on Gardiner’s bandwagon since Day 1, and the Tigers shook off a late loss to Morse of Bath to roll through the Eastern C playoffs, capped by a 37-0 blitzing of 2006 champ Winslow.

The Tigers have plenty of star power, led by senior quarterback Kyle Stilphen and senior running back Bass Chadwick. So does Mountain Valley, particularly junior running back Justin Staires, who will get plenty of Fitzpatrick Trophy consideration in 2008.

The Falcons are the more experienced big-game team, however, having won the 2004 and 2006 state titles. That experience should serve them well again Saturday.

Prediction: Mountain Valley 21-20.

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