September 20, 2024
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Hard-hitting Devils could test Bangor

It’s time for 100 percent, wall-to-wall, unadulterated playoff action across the state as all three classes enter the regional semifinal phase of the postseason. Several intriguing games dot the schedule for Friday and Saturday as rematches galore populate the weekend slate.

Lewiston (6-3) at Bangor (9-0), 7 p.m., Cameron Stadium: There won’t be any shortage of big hits, collisions, or jarring tackles in this game as these two teams like to play physical ball. Bangor left Lewiston with a 20-7 win five weeks ago, but the Rams were outdone in many statistical categories.

Bangor features one of the most diverse offenses in the Pine Tree Conference with tailback Buddy Nickerson (1,043 yards and 15 touchdowns on 181 carries), option quarterback Chris Bombardier (53 of 99 passes for 803 yards, seven TDs and three interceptions), split end Mike Prentiss (15 receptions, 255 yards, four TDs), and placekicker Nick Achorn (24-for-27 on PAT kicks, two field goals).

Prime Blue Devils offensive players are junior running back Jeremy Madore (580 yards, seven TDs, 101 carries), who missed last week’s game with an unspecified injury and senior back Brandon Kyajohnian (542 yards, four TDs), who missed the Rams game with a leg injury. Lewiston had 39 carries for 242 yards last week.

No. 4 Mattanawcook Academy (5-4) at No. 1 Bucksport, 7 p.m., Carmichael Field: The Lynx of Lincoln were bowled over 47-0 by Bucksport just two weeks ago – one of four shutouts by the Golden Bucks this season. In fact, the Bucks have not allowed a point in 10 straight quarters.

Sophomore back Chris Woodman leads the Bucks in points (60), rushing yards (651) and touchdowns (10). Junior Trevor LaLonde, who broke the LTC’s regular season scoring record for placekickers, is 10th in the league in scoring with 56 points on 6-for-6 field goals and 38-for-40 on PATs. Sophomore back Ty Gardner is still leading MA with 822 yards rushing and seven TDs.

No. 3 Stearns (5-4) at No. 2 Foxcroft Academy (7-2), 7 p.m., Oakes Field: Another big rematch as only two points separated these teams the last time they met, when the Ponies took a 14-12 victory which put them only one win away from tying the all-time series (25-24-1 Stearns edge).

Minutemen quarterback Derek DiFrederico (24-55, 407 yards, five TDs) is coming off a player-of-the-week effort in which he passed for 196 yards and three TDs. Ryan Sweeney leads Stearns with 659 yards on 127 carries. Foxcroft’s big guns are Josh Sands (735 yards, nine TDs), Danny White (532, six TDs, 200 receiving yards) and quarterback Josh Withee (38-92, 609 yards, eight TDs).

Skowhegan (5-4) at Mt. Blue (7-2), 7 p.m., Caldwell Field, Farmington: Just two weeks ago, the Indians pulled off a 25-13 upset over Mt. Blue that got them in the playoffs. They also knocked Cougars starting QB Foster Oakley out with a broken ankle, but backup Chelsea Allen completed six of eight for 98 yards and two TDs last week. Coach Bob LeCours has the Indians on a roll as they’re coming off another shocker, 7-0 against Oxford Hills at South Paris last week.

No. 3 Brewer (7-2) at No. 2 Belfast (7-2), 1 p.m., Saturday: The Witches pulled out a 34-28 overtime thriller two weeks ago, but due to a weaker schedule, will have to face Belfast on its home turf this time around.

As the ground game goes, so go the Witches, who are the LTC’s No. 3 offense. Seth Emerson (861 yards, 93 carries), Josh Caldwell (492, 102, 10 TDs) and Chris Cote (470, 69) get the bulk of the carries for Brewer. Belfast’s top-ranked offense is built around tailback Jeff Parenteau (1,289 yards, 166 carries, 14 TDs), wingback Colby Horne (342, 25, six rushing TDs, plus 11 catches for 246 yards and four receiving TDs), and quarterback Ben Cowan (30-58, 665, 10 TDs).

With so much firepower on the field, defense will make the difference. Brewer’s is currently tops among Class B teams and No. 3 overall with 163.2 yards allowed per game. Belfast is No. 3 and sixth overall with 207.2 per game.

No. 4 Morse (5-4) at No. 1 Winslow (9-0), 1 p.m. Saturday, Poulin Field: The order is a tall one indeed for the Shipbuilders of Bath as they try to snap the Black Raiders’ 20-game win streak on their home turf. Raiders junior tailback Ricky Vigue is No. 2 in the LTC in points (94) and rushing (1,033 yards, 181 carries, 13 TDs) and Chris Langlais is No. 1 among QBs with 800 yards and 14 TDs on 49-for-93 passing.


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