Week 2 Thoughts on the Weekend

- In our years and years of covering football this was one of the most bizarre weeks we have seen. And sure, it’s likely happened before that numbers of past games have needed to be rescheduled due to thunderstorms. In a large enough sample size lots of rarities before greater possibilities. But with records being what they are, we are reliant upon the memories of those in our older demographics to speak up if they have seen anything similar to what happened on Friday.

- Seven games were rescheduled from Friday to Saturday, and a game was pushed out to Monday. Five games that we are aware of were called before running out their full 48 minutes. And almost every game in Southern Maine had at least one storm delay, if not more. We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the Fryeburg Academy vs Westbrook game, which ended a little before 11:30 pm.

- For those that looked over the scores from the weekend, you may have noticed that the Sanford vs Dover game ended as a 7-7 tie. There was no mention publicly of there being a date to reschedule or finish the game, like there was between Scarborough and Bishop Guertin. So what exactly does this mean for Sanford? We reached out to the executive director Mike Burnham at the Maine Principals Association for clarification on this. “My feeling is that it doesn’t count at all where the Crab Tree points are all based on winning percentage.” Unlike its better-known sibling the Heal points, Crabtree rankings do not account for tied games. If you look at the reports on the MPA website, the game is listed as a tie in their schedule but they only have the one game as a countable record. So at the end of the regular season, like Portland, Sanford will only have eight countable games.

- Portland took an early 18-0 lead on Edward Little before the Red Eddies got onto the scoreboard, and the Bulldogs out-gained them 280-123 in total yards as they won 40-6 with the game being called at halftime due to storms. Aidan McGowan ran for 110 yards and four touchdowns on 13 carries to lead Portland’s attack at Fitzpatrick Stadium. Hunter Template ran for a 78-yard touchdown and had a 64-yard punt return. Defensively they held Edward Little to a 1-8 conversion on third downs with Isaak Alkafaji getting a sack and Reegan Buck picking off a pass.

- Oxford Hills had an early lead before Thornton Academy tied it in the third quarter. But they celebrated last with a game-winning 9-yard touchdown pass from Brady Truman to Jacob Carson in the fourth quarter for a 21-14 victory. It is the third consecutive season where the Vikings have started off 2-0. Brady threw all three touchdowns, going 19 for 25 for 321 yards. Receiver Nicholas Binette had a solid night as he caught 7 passes for 189 yards and scored on the Vikings first touchdown, an 80-yard reception and run for a score. He also caught a pass for a two-point conversion on the Vikings second score. Thornton Academy had their opportunities during the contest. Their third quarter saw Harry Bunce and Mauricio Sunderland rush for touchdowns that brought the game to a 14-14 tie. However it was their three turnovers, one being a fumble the following drive after Oxford Hills’ last touchdown, that seemed to limit their opportunity to take a greater control of the scoreboard.

- It has been an uncharacteristic start to the season for Thornton Academy. Last week they dropped a season opener for the first time since 2013, which was a 26-13 defeat to South Portland. And they started a season 0-2 for the first time since 2006. In that season they lost 26-20 to Portland and 23-20 to Marshwood (according to MaxPreps). Like that season, their two losses this season have also been very close. In fact, the Golden Trojans have only lost by a single touchdown each time this year (35-28 loss to Portland last week). They will be looking to get their first notch in the win column but their upcoming games will be not a stroll in the park. They play 2-0 Bonny Eagle in Standish next week, followed up by Windham and Sanford in weeks’ four and five.

- It’s been tough recently for the Deering Rams. But this season’s start has been a successful one after the 35-6 victory in Farmington over Mt. Blue. The Rams have started a season 2-0 and have enjoyed their first two-game winning streak since the 2015 season. Offensively and defensive things have been clicking for them. They have out-gained their opposition in total yards 602 to 402. They are winning the turnover battle with 4 opposing turnovers to their one. And their ground game has been the heart of their offense, consisting of over three-quarters of their offense. Sophomore running back Joey Foley has run for six of their seven touchdowns this season.

- Fly Eagles Fly indeed for the team from Messalonskee. A 35-0 win over previously undefeated Gardiner has Messalonskee in sole possession of first place in the Northern Class B region. The 2-0 start is their best since going 3-0 to begin the 2016 season. They have scored more points and allowed fewer points than any Class B team. Their 82 points scored is the sixth most and their 8 points allowed is the fourth fewest almost all 50 Maine teams in classes A through D. They are averaging 424 yards of offense and 249 passing yards each game. They are also the benefactors of a very favorable turnover battle by an 8-0 margin (6 coming on interceptions).

- Cony and Lawrence both got their first wins of the season on Friday. After storm delays, Cony defeated Skowhegan 22-0 while Lawrence beat Falmouth 27-8.

- The start of the season has not been kind for three Class B teams in Falmouth, Massabesic, and Skowhegan who all had solid 2022 campaigns. The three teams have been outscored a combined 219 points to 25. This includes Skowhegan, one of just two teams (the other being Oak Hill) that have yet to score a point this season. Their paths to break the oh-for starts look to be tough next week as Falmouth is in Gardiner, Massabesic hosts Noble, and Skowhegan travels to Bangor.

- It is quite possible that distances between Fryeburg and Westbrook factored into the decision to do whatever could be done to finish out their game Friday. This was after lightning strikes caused three 30-minute delays, as was explained to us by Fryeburg Academy’s Rick West. What was originally a 7:00 pm start was postponed 20 minutes. By the time refs called the game about two minutes early due to a rash of likely unsportsmanlike conduct penalties (or so it appeared from the video), it was 11:21 pm. The victory was the best offensive performance for the Raiders since a 53-14 regular season victory over Yarmouth in 2016 and a 54-14 win against Gorham in 2013.

- During the much-anticipated Class C showdown between Hermon and Oceanside, it was the Mariners who proved they are every bit the pre-season favorites as they defeated the home-standing Hawks 38-24 during the regular season debut of the artificial turf surface at the renovated Pottle Field. Oceanside jumped out to 8-0 lead on the opening drive with a 39-yard Cohen Galley to Gavin Ripley touchdown, then doubled that lead after recovering a Hermon fumble punctuated by a two-yard touchdown run from Galley. Hermon would narrow that lead with touchdown runs from Bruce Coulter, the second set up after he intercepted a Galley pass, but Hermon inability to score on both their two-point conversions meant Oceanside held a 16-12 lead. Galley would score on a 14-yard touchdown run for his third score of the night and a 24-12 lead at the half. Oceanside benefited from another Hermon miscue, this one a high snap over the punters head on the Hawks opening drive of the second half, that gave the Mariners great field position for their opening second half drive. Galley’s third touchdown gave Oceanside a 30-12 lead. During the rest of the game Hermon would get two more touchdowns, but Galley’s fourth rushing touchdown of the night, a 90-yard scamper along the left sidelines, kept the game out of reach.

- Since the 2011 merger of Rockland and Georges Valley, this is just the third time these Mariners have started a season 2-0. The other two 2-0 starts happened in 2019 and 2022. Oceanside will have a chance to get their first ever 3-0 start next week with a home game against 1-1 Hampden Academy. The Mariners are continuing to showcase one of the top offenses in the state. Last year they ranked fourth amongst classes A through D in scoring offense. Currently, their 88 points scored is exceeded only by Foxcroft Academy (103), Bonny Eagle (95), and Leavitt (90).

- The Friday night contest between Maine Central Institute and Winthrop/Monmouth/Hall-Dale became the 22^nd 11 man contest since 2004 to reach the century mark in total points scored. The last half of the fourth quarter was a back-and-forth contest but it was the Ramblers emerging victorious over the Huskies in overtime by the score of 53-47. With 4:46 left in the game the Ramblers held a 33-28 lead. A touchdown and a successful PAT kick by MCI gave them a 35-33 lead with 4:28 left in the game. The Huskies would expand their lead by another touchdown at the 2:19 mark. The expanded lead began after their recovered a Ramblers fumble. However, the Ramblers came back 37 seconds later with a touchdown and a successful two-point conversion to tie the game 41-41 with 1:42 remaining. The Huskies quickly scored 25 seconds later, but missed the PAT kick, to reclaim the lead 47-41. The Ramblers would quickly get down the field, twice converting on fourth downs, before scoring with just 9.7 seconds left. The PAT kick would be blocked, tying the game 47-47, eventually leading to overtime. In overtime the Ramblers would score and score while the Huskies did not, leading to the 53-47 Winthrop/Monmouth/Hall-Dale victory.

- Poland was able to get two first-half scores before then bunkering down to shut out the Old Town Coyotes 16-0 before the game was called around the midway point of the fourth quarter due to storms. The win is significant for a Knights program that hasn’t had much to celebrate since their program began in 2004. This is the first ever 2-0 start in program history. They are the only team in classes A through D to have yet to allow a point this season, and one of three teams in the state with a zero on the points allowed column (along with 8 man teams Waterville and Old Orchard Beach). Poland will look to continue the shutout run next week against 0-2 Oak Hill. The Raiders have yet to score any points this season. If Poland can continue the run they are on they will become the first team in the ten-year history of the revised Class D to have not allowed any points after the first three games of the season. That distinction would also place them alongside such teams as 2006 Mountain Valley, 2006 Foxcroft Academy, 2010 Cape Elizabeth, and 2010 Lisbon, who are the only ones since 2004 to have not allowed any points after the first three games of the season.

- The battle at the top of the 8 man large school Northern region has the makings of an interesting watch thus far. Camden Hills, Mount Desert Island, and Waterville are all 2-0 after picking up wins Friday night. Camden Hills, bringing in lights for their Friday night hosting of undefeated Greely, held the Rangers to –6 yards rushing and had a commanding lead before giving up the lone touchdown in the fourth quarter for a 28-6 victory. Waterville shut out Mt. Ararat 24-0 to become one of just two teams in the four-year history of 8 man football under the MPA to have allowed zero points after two games. Mount Desert Island had another impressive showing with their 44-16 win against Gray-New Gloucester. These three undefeated teams will be playing next Saturday in some games that will mold the early race in the region as Camden Hills hosts Mount Desert Island while Waterville hosts 1-1 Morse.

- Domination was a fair way to describe Yarmouth’s 59-14 win over Spruce Mountain. They held a 45-8 lead at the half to force running time in the second half. The Clippers put together an eye-popping 416 yards of rushing yardage, with Michael McGonagle getting five rushing touchdowns and a lion’s share of that yardage. And defensively they held the Phoenix to only 61 yards of offense and four first downs while stopping them on all 10 third-down conversions and both fourth-down conversions.

- Many new that Old Orchard Beach would be a good team coming into the season. They are meeting all those expectations and then some with their 2-0 record after shutting out Dirigo 54-0 on Friday before the game was called at halftime due to storms. The team got rushing touchdowns from Welsey Gallant (2), Asher Hubert (2), Reid MacNair (1), and Brady Plante (2) as they accounted for 193 of the team’s 201 total yards running. They scored two-point conversions on each of their seven touchdowns. But again, the defense is as much of the stars of the team’s play as the offense. They combined for 5 tackles of losses while Brayden Mansur (2), Andrew Hodgkins (1), and Hubert (1) recovered turnovers committed by the Cougars. Like Waterville, they have yet to allow a single point this season and join Waterville as they only teams in the MPA’s history of 8 man football to have not allowed a single point after the first two games of the season. They host 1-1 Boothbay next week.

- The fourth quarter of the game in Houlton between the Shiretowners and Bucksport was one of those exciting back-and-forth battles we having become accustomed to in 8 man football. In the third quarter Bucksport held a 20-14 lead. Between that and the end of the game is literally was back and forth: 22-20 Houlton, 26-22 Bucksport, 28-26 Houlton, and 34-28 Bucksport. Then, on the final drive of the game, Houlton scores with 11 seconds to game to tie the game 34-34. The Shires went for the two-point conversion and the victory, but the pass attempt was incomplete and sent the contest to overtime. Bucksport won the coin toss and opted to take first possession. They capitalized with a touchdown and a successful two-point conversion for a 42-34 advantage. Houlton, on their possession, would score but the Golden Bucks stopped their rushing attempt to end overtime with the 42-40 win.

- Five games on Saturday were resumptions of contests stopped Friday due to storms. Two of those games resumed at 10 am. In one of those contests Marshwood came in with a 21-6 third quarter lead over Biddeford. That lead did not change as the Hawks scored two more touchdowns to win 40-6. The other morning game was the resumption of Brunswick against Morse in Bath. That game was tied 22-22 in the third quarter. Morse scored first and got a two-point conversion to give the Shipbuilders the 30-22 lead. With 45 seconds later Brunswick scored to narrow the deficit to 30-28. The Dragons went for two, but Morse’s Braeden Cunningham made the defensive stop for what would be the game-winning tackle and the Morse 30-28 victory. During the early afternoon resumption between Lewiston and South Portland, the Blue Devils increased their lead from the initial 8-0 to 16-0, saw South Portland storm back to tie the game 16-16, then Lewiston the game-winning 22-yard field goal from Michael Caron with 9.5 seconds later for the 19-16 win. The late afternoon resumption between Bangor and Windham was stopped when the Eagles were up 28-6 in the third quarter. They tackled on another touchdown and kept Bangor off the board to win 35-6. The nighttime resumption of Kennebunk and Massabesic picked up from the Rams 13-6 lead in the second. The lead remained with the Rams as they won 38-6.

- Two games were moved from Friday night to Saturday. Both were Saturday night contests. In a battle of Class A unbeaten teams, it was all Bonny Eagle as they defeated Noble 45-14. The Scots dominated on the ground with 309 rushing yards and capitalized on two Noble turnovers. The other contest was between Wells and York. The Warriors had a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, but York would score 32 unanswered points for the 32-14 road victory. Fumbles and turnovers on downs were the undoing of Wells as York got the ball back nine times as a result (three by fumbles, six on unsuccessful fourth down attempts). York was able to utilize an air attack with 193 passing yards and 3 touchdowns on 12 completed passes.

- Cheverus took a 21-6 lead into the fourth quarter, but it took an unsuccessful two-point conversion pass from Gorham’s Izak Young and a Stags-recovered onside kick to secure a 21-20 victory over the Rams on Saturday afternoon. Cheverus running back Joe Osei scored his fifth and sixth rushing touchdown of the season.

- Madison and Winslow played a close-fought contest on Saturday, the Black Raiders were without six of their starters due to injury. The teams exchanged fourth leads going into the final minutes of the fourth quarter. It was Winslow’s Hassan Hobbi that became the most unlikely of heroes on the day. He was helped back teammates and running back Matt Quirion. It was his seven carries for 35 yards that led helped give Winslow enough field position for Hobbi’s 34-yard field goal attempt. His kick was long enough and split the uprights to give Winslow the 16-14 lead. Then, on the next position, Hobbi would pick off Madison’s pass by Brode Strout to clinch the victory. Despite the loss, Madison was able to take a number of positives away from this game. Amongst them, the Bulldogs ended a 4-game / 17-quarter stretch where they had no scored any points. That ended when Strout completed a 29-yard touchdown pass to Pablo Giddings.

- It took a crazy finish for Sacopee Valley to win their game 48-44 on Saturday against Telstar and continue their unbeaten start to the season. The Rebels held a lead through much of the contest. In the final five minutes of the game, Sacopee Valley drove the length of the field on nine plays with Tyler Easterbrooks completing a 15-yard pass to Brady Metcalf in the back of the end zone for the touchdown. A successful two-point conversion put the Hawks down 44-42. They would recover their onside kick attempt and went on a ten-play drive. On the final play as time expired, Easterbrooks completed a 6-yard touchdown pass to Dylan Capano for the walk-off touchdown and the 48-44 victory. While the win gives Sacopee Valley a 2-0 start, this is not their first such start to a season. In 2017, the first year of the two-year developmental Class E experiment, Sacopee Valley defeated Traip Academy 25-0 and Stearns 15-12 to start off 2-0. In the eleven-year history of the program they have never started a season 3-0. Their next game is against 1-1 Dirigo.

- As we look at the schedules for the opening quarter to the season, we can determine a few trends. One of those is how relatively tough or easy a schedule is for a team. Crabtree rankings make it easy. You just take their season long schedule, or as we call it the Crabtree Classic number, and subtract a team’s winning percentage from that number.
The five teams with the toughest schedule – Thornton Academy (87.500), Cape Elizabeth (81.250), Spruce Mountain (78.571), Brewer (75.000), and Edward Little (72.222).
The five teams with the easiest schedule – Messalonskee (18.750), Yarmouth (21.429), Deering (25.000), Winslow (25.000), and Portland (33.333).

- New Hampshire tracker
Bedford defeated Nashua South 21-0 on Friday. The 2-0 Bulldogs will travel to 0-1 Keene next Friday.
Bishop Guertin elected not to return to Scarborough to finish their game that was 13-10 at halftime before being delayed due to storms. The 0-1 Cardinals host 1-1 Nashua North this Saturday.
Dover elected not to complete their game with Sanford that was tied 7-7 before being delayed due to storms. The 1-0 Green Wave will host 2-0 Portsmouth-Oyster River this Friday.
Merrimack’s game against Nashua North was stopped on Friday due to storms with Keene leading 6-0 in the second quarter. The game was resumed on Monday with Keene winning 12-0. The 0-2 Tomahawks will travel to 1-1 Goffstown this Friday.
Portsmouth-Oyster River defeated Winnacunnet 42-0 on Friday. The 2-0 ClipperCats will travel to 1-0 Dover this Friday.
Spaulding lost 27-22 to Timberlane on Thursday. The 0-2 Red Raiders will host 2-0 Exeter this Thursday.
Winnacunnet lost 42-0 to Portsmouth-Oyster River on Friday. The 0-2 Warriors will host 0-2 Manchester Memorial this Friday.

- Quote of the week
"It’s been my goal to have a long field goal like that, and I was able to do it at a good time. I wasn’t feeling any pressure. As I walked out there, I said, ‘Have faith in me; l have faith in you.’ They started screaming, and I just went out there and hit it and started hugging people. It was great."
Hassan Hobbi, Winslow kicker

- Streak tracker
There are 25 unbeaten teams in Maine, down from last week’s 39 
The longest active winning streaks belongs to Leavitt (13), Oxford Hills (13), Foxcroft Academy (10), Old Orchard Beach (9), and Yarmouth (5)
3 teams ended their losing streak of 4 or more games; Marshwood (5), York (4), and John Bapst (4)
The longest active losing streaks belongs to Traip Academy (20), Madison (10), Valley (9), Edward Little (8), and Mount View (7)

- First place teams after week two
Class A North – Oxford Hills (no change)
Class A South – Sanford (no change)
Class B North – Messalonskee (change from last week)
Class B South – Kennebunk (no change)
Class C North – Oceanside (change from last week)
Class C South – Leavitt (change from last week)
Class D North – Foxcroft Academy (no change)
Class D South – Freeport (no change)
8 Man Large School North – Camden Hills (change from last week)
8 Man Large School South – Yarmouth (change from last week)
8 Man Small School North – Bucksport, Dexter, and Orono (change from last week)
8 Man Small School South – Maranacook, Old Orchard Beach, and Sacopee Valley (change from last week)

- Five games of interest to us in week three
Bonny Eagle vs Thornton Academy
Sanford vs South Portland
Messalonskee vs Cony
Foxcroft Academy vs Hermon
Camden Hills vs Mount Desert Island

What are your thoughts on the weekend?