By Michael Hoffer
MaxPreps.com
Top seeds held serve as the Western Class A football playoffs got underway last weekend. In Western A, top-ranked Deering and defending champion Bonny Eagle set the stage for a delicious semifinal with easy victories Friday night. On Saturday, No. 3 Windham won a playoff game for the first time, while No. 2 Thornton Academy began its march with an impressive showing.
The Rams of Deering were never tested by No. 8 Gorham, a team that has given Deering fits in the past (including a 9-7 win in the 2006 regional final). In the regular season meeting, host Gorham led at halftime before Deering senior standout Jack Heary ran wild in the second half of a 49-32 victory, but this time, the top-ranked Rams scored early and often and rolled to a 48-6 triumph behind five TDs from the indomitable Heary.
The Scots of Bonny Eagle only wound up ranked fourth because of a forfeit loss earlier in the season. Bonny Eagle played host to No. 5 Cheverus Friday. The Stags were making their first playoff appearance in five years and had few answers for the defending champs. Scots' senior quarterback extraordinaire Nate Doehler threw for a pair of scores, senior Josh Ruby ran for two TDs and junior Max Alfiero had a punt return for a score as Bonny Eagle cruised, 35-0.
In three of the past four seasons, Deering and Bonny Eagle have done battle in the semifinals. In 2004, the Scots won en route to the state championship. Two years ago, the Rams pulled off an upset win in Standish. Last fall, Bonny Eagle defeated visiting Deering on its way to the state title. The teams engaged in easily the most memorable game of the regular season Oct. 10 in Standish. The Rams trailed all night before rallying for 15 points in the final three-plus minutes of the contest to eke out an improbable 29-28 triumph. Those who plan to attend Saturday hope for more of the same.
On the other side of the bracket, No. 2 Thornton Academy is still seeking some respect. With all eyes on the Rams and Scots, the undefeated Golden Trojans are aching for a chance to prove themselves. Thornton Academy hosted No. 7 Marshwood Saturday and didn't have an easy time of it. The Golden Trojans clung to a 15-12 halftime lead as Hawks' quarterback Sean Gray ran wild for a couple long TDs. Thornton Academy then reasserted control in the second half, scoring each time it touched the ball en route to a 43-26 win behind a huge day from Steve Trask (who rushed for nearly 200 yards).
The Golden Trojans will host No. 3 Windham Saturday. The Eagles continued their surge with their seventh successive victory Saturday over No. 6 Massabesic. The teams were tied at 7-7 at the half, but Windham came to life with three second-half scores. David Ingraham had three TDs. The Eagles will go to Thornton Academy Saturday at 1 p.m. The teams did not play in the regular season.
In Eastern A, two-time defending regional champion Lawrence overcame a slow start to crush No 8 Mt. Blue, 37-14, in the quarterfinals Friday. No. 2 Edward Little beat No. 7 Messalonskee, 28-21; No. 3 Lewiston held off No. 6 Bangor, 34-26, and No. 4 Skowhegan blocked a late field goal attempt to edge No. 5 Brunswick, 22-21.
Skowhegan goes to Lawrence and Edward Little hosts Lewiston in a showdown of neighboring rivals in the semifinals this weekend.
The Class B playoff picture is now set. Two-time defending regional champion Mountain Valley, a veritable juggernaut, pulled away late to down Cape Elizabeth by 34-6 in the regular season finale Halloween Night in Rumford. The win gave the Falcons a 9-0 mark and the top seed for the playoffs. The Capers wound up second.
The biggest news in Class B was Falmouth securing a first-ever postseason spot with a come-from-behind 14-13 win at rival Greely. The Yachtsmen got a huge break late in the fourth quarter when the Rangers fumbled deep in their territory and Falmouth junior quarterback Stefano Mancini capped the rally when he found senior Chip Clement with an 8-yard TD pass with 4.5 seconds to go. The Yachtsmen will be at Mountain Valley in the semifinals.
York is the other squad to qualify in Western B. The Wildcats edged rival Wells, 18-13, Friday to lock up the No. 3 seed. They'll be at No. 2 Cape Elizabeth in the semifinals.
In Eastern B, red-hot No. 5 Morse plays at No. 1 Leavitt in the semifinals. The Shipbuilders blanked No. 4 Winslow, 27-0, Saturday. In the other semifinal, No. 2 MDI hosts No. 3 Gardiner.
The regional finals are Saturday, Nov. 15. The state finals for all classes are Saturday, Nov. 22 at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland.
Michael Hoffer is the sports editor of The Forecaster, a family of weekly newspapers based in Falmouth, Maine. Michael can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net.
