Except for football, Saturday is the final day of fall travel for Maine high school sports fans.

They’ve covered a lot of territory this year, as this state championship day for field hockey and soccer attests.

Our highways are busy today, from one end of Maine to the other as people take to the roads to celebrate with their athletes in victory or to console them in defeat.

Because so many of us will be on the highways in various states of emotion, it is a day to drive as our athletes play: defensively.

A close look at the Maine map, and the lines of intersecting travel that is taking place today – from Van Buren and Eliot, Mount Desert Island and Guilford, North Yarmouth and Sherman Station – leads me to believe many people will visit cities and towns that are new to them.

That opportunity is one of the pleasures of following a high school team. You’re apt to “discover” a Maine town that somehow escaped your attention before.

I am sure “how do you get to?” has been the question of the week for many fans, especially those traveling to more distant sites.

The Class A girls soccer fans from Cony of Augusta and Greeley of Cumberland, and the boys fans of Portland and Mount Ararat in Topsham probably didn’t have to ask directions to Cape Elizabeth.

But since I have had to ask for directions to Eliot, I’ll bet Marshwood fans are checking maps to see how to get to Hall-Dale in Farmingdale.

And I wouldn’t be surprised if folks from Mount Desert Island, Hermon and Windham want to know exactly how to get there, too.

It wasn’t long ago, I recall, the NEWS sports desk stopped referring to Hall-Dale as being “of Hallowell.” Someone finally brought to our attention the fact that the school is located in Farmingdale. Only its address is Hallowell.

It is not easy an place to find, by the way. I still miss the last turn that takes you up to the school, and am forever backtracking to get to it.

Piscataquis fans will have no trouble finding their soccer site in Ellsworth and, since 4 million people pass through that town on their way to Acadia National Park each year, Wiscassett fans should have no trouble, either.

Maybe I’m showing a bit of “The Other Maine” bias, but I would be willing to bet some Brewer residents will have Falmouth fans stopping to ask for directions to the soccer field on Pendleton Street.

Conversely, my guess would be the good guides up in Sherman Station have already scouted out the site and have told everybody who needs to know just exactly how to get there.

You are a fortunate Van Buren or Richmond fan if you’ve been to Baxter State Park, because you know how long it takes to get to East Millinocket.

Those fans are among the lucky ones today. They are the only ones who can cheer for two teams at one site. It doesn’t happen often but, when it does, what a treat it is.

I’m pleased as punch Van Buren is playing in a state championship, and Marshwood of Eliot, too. They and the other teams who can actually be labeled as being from northern or southern Maine are the true equalizers in this north-south equation.

How much nicer that we have a definitive state-wide representation in our championships today rather than the other possibility of teams that are practically neighbors representing the two regions.

Once again, all roads lead to Mount Ararat High School in Topsham for field hockey fans.

No one should have any trouble finding this place. Would you believe, each of the three games is a rematch and at that same site?

Skowhegan is facing South Portland for the third time. Messalonskee of Oakland last met Leavitt of Turner there in 1992. And Orono beat North Yarmouth in Topsham last fall.

Mount Ararat is a great facility with congenial hosts. But there must be a few folks who wish they hadn’t made that commitment for today, because it means they will miss watching their boys play for a state soccer championship in Cape Elizabeth.

Football fans will be on the roads today as well.

Bangor fans take the long trip to my hometown of South Paris for a game with Oxford Hills (I’ve given lots of directions for that one), but Gardiner fans have just a short ride up the interstate to Waterville.

Wherever you go, whatever you do on this day of days, be attentive and alert.

There have been just too many horrible tragedies on our highways lately.

Once the games are over, half of you will be driving home to celebrate; half to commiserate.

In either case, someone will be waiting for you.

Please, drive with care.