Marshwood will look to distance itself from the competition this season as it brings back a solid number of starters.
Photo by Michael Listner
Last year: 10-1
Head coach: John Wolfgram
Team PreviewCheverus saw a 34-game win streak come to an end with a 20-13 loss to Thornton Academy in the Class A semifinals. Cheverus had won the state championship the previous two seasons. Coach John Wolfgram has posted a 47-8 record over the past five seasons with three straight Southern Maine Conference championships. While the bulk of last year's top players have graduated, Cheverus returns several key players, including center
Patrick Ball, tight end
Zordan Holman and wide receiver
Noah Stebbins. The key game of the regular season comes on Oct. 12 when Cheverus hosts Thornton Academy.
See the Top 15 Maine high school football dynasties2. Thornton Academy (Saco)
Last year: 11-1 state champion
Head coach: Kevin Kezal
Team PreviewThe Trojans captured the state championship last year, defeating two-time champion Cheverus 20-13 in the semifinals and Lawrence 37-23 in the championship game.
Andrew Libby earned state player of the year honors last year and returns to lead the offense at quarterback. He gained 1,092 yards rushing with 23 touchdowns last year. He's joined by all-conference tight end
Cody Lynn and tackle
Ian Paul (6-foot-2, 240 pounds). Thornton has eight returning starters, four on each side of the ball, along with a 7-1 JV team moving up to the varsity level.
See last season's all-league football teams from Maine 3. Lawrence (Fairfield)
Last year: 11-1
Head coach: John Hersom
Team PreviewLawrence has won the Class A Pine Tree Conference the past three seasons and is 32-1 over the past five years in league play. Last year, the Bulldogs lost just once, a 37-23 defeat at the hands of Thornton Academy in the Class A championship game. Lawrence moves down to Class B this year, however, and could be a favorite to win the state title in that division. A key matchup with defending state champion Mt. Blue looms on Sept. 13. Lawrence had a senior-dominated team last year, but will rely on returning all-area players
Chad Martin (kicker),
Xavier Lewis (defensive back) and
Kyle Mclain (center).
See last season's Maine football playoff brackets
4. Mt. Blue (Farmington)
Last year: 12-0 Class B state champion
Head coach: Gary Parlin
Team PreviewMt. Blue will have to replace all-state quarterback Jordan Whitney, but it has one of the state's top returning defensive players in all-state defensive tackle
Colin Richards (6-2, 215), who had 87 tackles last year. Coach Gary Parlin also has 13 starters back, including eight on defense. Among the top offensive returning starters include senior athlete
Cam Abbott(6-2, 200) and senior wide receiver
Nate Backus (5-11, 175). The Cougars start the season with a 12-game win streak, but will have to face Class A finalist Lawrence in the second week.
5. Marshwood (South Berwick)
Last year: 10-2
Head coach: Alex Rotsko
Team PreviewThe Class B runner-up to Mt. Blue last year, Marshwood should contend again with 14 starters returning, including seven on each side of the ball. Most importantly, Marshwood returns quarterback
Cameron Roll (6-0, 175) along with leading running back
Brett Gerry (5-10, 180) and top receiver
Noah Kreider (6-0, 175). The Hawks have a strong junior class that went 6-2 at the JV level last year.
