Cheverus brings a 24-game winning streak to the 2012 season and that makes them our top pick. Still, watch for Thornton Academy, Lawrence, Leavitt and Wells.
Andrew Libby and No. 2 Thornton Academy will get a shot at top-ranked Cheverus this season.
Photo by Michael Listner
2011 finish: 12-0
Head coach: John Wollfgram
Team Preview
A winner of 24 straight games, Cheverus is looking to win its third-straight
Class A championship in Maine. Coach John Wollfgram returns one of the top
defensive linemen in the state in
Donald Goodrich, who had 10 sacks last year,
including five in a playoff win over Deering. The Stags will need to replace
multi-talented Cam Olson, who was a standout at both quarterback and defensive
back. You can Cheverus more than once on the list of
Maine state football champions over the past 10 years.
2. Thornton Academy (Saco)
2011 finish: 9-2
Head coach: Kevin Kezal
Team Preview
If Cheverus is going to lose a game, it could happen Oct. 13 when it takes on
Thornton Academy. Coach Kevin Kezal returns 14 starters from last year's 9-2
squad. All of the top skill position players return, including All-State
running back
Andrew Libby (6-foot, 205 pounds, junior) and wide receiver
Dakota Tarbox
(6-4, 225). The defense remains solid behind linebacker
Bobby Begin (6-0, 225). Thornton Academy ranks No. 8 on our June, 2011 list of the
Top 10 Maine high school football dynasties.
3. Lawrence (Fairfield)
2011 finish: 11-1
Head coach: John Hersom
Team Preview
Cheverus handed Lawrence its only loss of the season during the second round of
the Class A playoffs. The Bulldogs have not won a state title since 2006, but
coach John Hersom's team has regularly been the team to beat in the Pine Tree
North with five league titles in the past six years. All-State defensive back
Spencer Carey (6-1, 210) returns and he will also be a key player on offense.
The offensive line returns a good one in All-State pick
Caleb Champagne (6-3,
245). Replacing 1,500-yard rusher Shaun Carroll Jr. will be a difficult task. Lawrence ranks No. 4 on our list of
Maine's Top 10 most consistent high school football programs.
4. Leavitt (Turner)
2011 finish: 11-1
Head coach: Mike Hathaway
Team Preview
The favorite to win the Class B state title, Leavitt's only loss was to Wells
in the state championship game. The Hornets have won four straight league
titles and were state champs in 2009. The Hornets have one of the state's top
receivers returning this year in
Brian Bedard. However, Leavitt loses the
state's No. 1 player in Jordan Hersom, who won the James J. Fitzpatrick Trophy
last year recognizing the state's top senior player. Search for Leavitt players on our list of
2011 Maine All-League football teams.
5. Wells
2011 finish: 12-0
Head coach: Tim Roche
Team Preview
Wells completed an unbeaten season last year with a Class B state
championship. That included a 21-13 win over Leavitt in the state championship
game. All-State quarterback Paul McDonough and Fitzpatrick Trophy candidate
Louis DiTomasso (linebacker) have both graduated, leaving coach Tim Roche with
just 13 seniors. The Warriors will be young this year with 16 sophomores on the
roster.
Joey Spinelli at defensive back figures to be Wells' top returning
defensive player. He had five interceptions last year.
