Three seasons after resigning his post as the Brewer boys varsity basketball coach, Mark Savage is likely headed back to the coach’s box – for the Brewer girls team.

Brewer Superintendent Betsy Webb met with Savage Tuesday afternoon.

“We had a very good interview and I will be recommending Mark to the school committee on October 15,” said Webb. “The factors we felt made Mark the best candidate were his experience at the varsity level, him already being part of the school system, his familiarity with the kids, and his vision for where he wants to see the program go.”

Savage, who led the Brewer boys to the Eastern Maine Class A title in 1988 and compiled a 95-113 record in 11 seasons, will be recommended to replace retired girls varsity coach Tim Thornton.

A teacher at Brewer since 1986, Savage was named Maine Physical Education Teacher of the Year in 1996 for his work in starting and developing a very successful and unique outdoor education program. The University of Maine alumnus has also coached girls varsity soccer at Brewer, Hermon and Bangor High School.

Although Savage resigned as boys coach a year after a failed petition drive by parents to force him out of the position over concerns he failed to supply “positive reinforcement,” neither Webb, athletic director Dennis Kiah or other members of the search committee are concerned about that.

“I was well aware of that situation and that was part of the interview,” Webb said. “Dennis said he’s received very positive feedback from the players and parents over Mark’s involvement.”

Savage was one of four candidates for the position and one of the three finalists who were given interviews.

Black-and-blue Bangor

The Bangor football team lost another two-way starter for an extended period of time as junior Zak Ray is out at two to four weeks with a sprained knee.

“He’s walking around today [Tuesday] and doing exercises to strengthen it,” said head coach Mark Hackett. “His doctor said he could be back sooner than expected.”

Ray suffered the injury during a punt return when another player accidentally rolled up on his leg in a pileup.

Hackett expects to be without Ray, who plays split end and cornerback, at least two weeks. The injury comes three weeks after the Rams lost fullback-nose guard D.J. Johnson for the season with another knee injury, this one involving a tear in his anterior cruciate ligament.

“Hey, football’s a tough game and we’ve been in some physical games,” Hackett said. “We’re banged up, but we have guys who can step in and do the job.”

Junior Mark Huhn has done a nice job for Johnson at fullback, senior Corey Mayhew has stepped in at nose guard, and sophomore Mike Prentiss, who split time with Ray, will get full-time duty at end and the corner.

Blanchette dies at age 47

Former Lawrence of Fairfield and Mount View of Thorndike boys varsity basketball coach Erv Blanchette died of Lou Gehrig’s Disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) at the age of 47 last Wednesday at his home in Brookline, N.H. Maine basketball fans may remember him as the head coach of the 1984 Bulldogs, who came all the way from the seventh-seeded position to win the Eastern Maine Class A championship before finishing 17-5.

Blanchette coached the Mount View boys in 1976 and 1977 before moving on to Lawrence, where he stayed for eight seasons as a coach and English teacher. The Messalonskee High graduate (class of 1972) also coached boys and girls cross country teams at both Lawrence and Mount View.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Hollis Congregational Church in Hollis, N.H.

Andrew Neff’s High School Report is published each Wednesday. He can be reached at 990-8205, toll free at 1-800-310-8600, or at aneff@bangordailynews.net.