Class A
BONNY EAGLE (10-0) vs. PORTLAND (9-1)
WHERE: Fitzpatrick Stadium, Portland
KICKOFF: 11:06 a.m., Saturday
TELEVISION: WPXT
When Bonny Eagle has the ball
The Scots operate out of a spread formation but don’t be fooled. This is a team that is quite happy running the ball and controlling the clock. The Scots are fueled by the read-option rushes of quarterback Cam Day (942 yards, 12 TDs) and by 220-pound fullback Nick Thorne, back to full strength after missing most of five games during the season. With home run threats such as junior running back Alex Sprague (1,167 yards, 18 TDs), senior wideout Cam Theberge (21 receptions, 15.4 yards per catch) and lanky junior receiver Kordell Menard (7 TDs on 15 catches), the Scots can score quickly (41.7 points per game). Portland’s defense gives up 12.4 points per game. The Bulldogs are led by middle linebacker Dylan Bolduc, linemen Ethan Hoyt and Nick Giaquinto, and defensive back Vincent Pasquali (6 INTs, third on the team in tackles). Being able to cover and make tackles in the open part of the field will be key for Portland.
When Portland has the ball
The Bulldogs average 39.2 points per game with quarterback Issiah Bachelder (63.4 percent completion rate, 1,141 yards, 18 TDs) directing the show. Much of Portland’s pass success comes off play-action as teams creep up to try to stop hard-running Dylan Bolduc (1,224 yards, 14 TDs), shifty Jake Knopp (548 yards) and Bachelder (449 yards, 11 TDs). When Windham slowed Portland’s run game in the North final, Bachelder went to the air and briskly moved his team down the field. Griffin Foley, at 6-foot-2 with good hands, and 245-pound tight end Ethan Hoyt have a big size advantage against the Scots’ secondary. Scarborough was able to hit Bonny Eagle (12.6 points against) for three touchdown passes in the South final but the secondary is full of ballhawks in Theberge, Greg Emerson, and Menard.
Outlook
Portland, playing in its second straight final, is on its home field and looking for its first title since 2002. The Scots won it all in 2013 when the current seniors were freshmen. With playmakers on both sides of the ball, the game could be decided by the dangerous return men: Theberge and Sprague for Bonny Eagle, and Pasquali for Portland.
– Steve Craig
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