Santa Claus will be generous with Maine sports fans this year, because the naughty have been few when compared to the nice.

The Patriots will win it all again and make history while doing it, leaving Miami’s undefeated 1972 team to pour its champagne down the drain. The Celtics won’t win it all, but they’ll take their fans on a ride deep into postseason play.

And the Red Sox? Once they add Johan Santana to the rotation, the road to another World Series title will be well paved.

Here are a few other gifts Rudolph and the gang should drop through chimneys around the state:

. For high school football in Maine, enough teams to expand to four classes. What’s the magic number? I think we’re close. There were 70 varsity programs statewide this year, and several other schools are inching closer to joining the ranks. If you get to 72, that would make for four nine-team divisions in both Eastern or Western Maine, all with sufficient preseason time leading to eight-game regular-season schedules. And beyond basing classification just on enrollment, Santa suggests adopting a format in which teams could be moved up or down a class periodically based on performance. Such flexibility could match the best teams against the best, while giving struggling programs a better chance to develop into one of the best.

. For high school wrestling, an all-class state championship meet. The current state meets in Classes A, B and C come several weeks before the New England championships, leaving Maine’s top wrestlers on their own to prepare while wrestling schedules in some other states lead right into the New Englands. So split the down time here with an additional showcase event that crowns individual state champions by weight classes, not school classification, and help them prepare for New England competition.

. For the City of Bangor, artificial turf for Cameron Stadium. Santa didn’t deliver on this request last year, perhaps because he couldn’t fit a gift the size of a football field inside his sack of goodies. Maybe he’ll try a gift card this year, as momentum for a refurbished multipurpose facility continues to build momentum in some quarters of the Queen City. Turf would greatly expand use of the field from mud season to when the snow flies, with reduced maintenance needs. It also may enable the city to host a variety of other events, such as state championships in soccer, field hockey or even football, or bring new sports to the area such as high school lacrosse?

. For Husson College baseball coach John Winkin, a return to good health. Your impact on the baseball world is unequaled in these parts. Santa sees it every time you’re standing behind the backstop at a high school game. There’s always a buzz among the players in the dugouts, wondering if they’re the next pitcher or middle infielder on your recruiting horizon. Here’s hoping you can get back at it soon.

. For University of Maine men’s basketball coach Ted Woodward, the final piece to your recruiting puzzle, a true point guard. There’s excitement in the state’s basketball community about the talent that’s already been assembled and the potential it represents. A true ballhandling point guard in the spirit of Andy Bedard, Casey Arena or Marty Higgins may be all that separates the Black Bears from their goal – a first-ever trip to the NCAA tournament.

. And lastly, for all this holiday season, the love of family, the best of health and the spirit of optimism. Merry Christmas!

eclark@bangordailynews.net

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