MOUNT DESERT ISLAND (9-1) vs. WELLS (10-1)

WHERE: Fitzpatrick Stadium, Portland

KICKOFF: 2:36 p.m., Saturday

TELEVISION: WPXT

When MDI has the ball

Coach Mark Shields’ team runs a Straight-T offense, intent on grinding away the clock and using deception to free up its three-back set behind junior quarterback Andrew Phelps. Halfback Colby Lee rushed for 966 yards and 8 TDs with an impressive 10.2 yards-per-catch average in the regular season. The other halfback and lone senior starter on offense is Chris Farnsworth (75 rushes, 422 yards, 8 TDs). The Trojans lost all-conference fullback Croix Albee to a knee injury late in the season. But former tight end Graham Goode has been effective in that spot during the team’s playoff run, including a 12-7 North final win against defending champ Winslow. Wells, which eliminated Cape Elizabeth’s running attack in the South final (22 carries, 29 yards), counters with a strong defensive front led by defensive tackle Jordan Cluff, and tough inside linebackers Nolan Potter and Sean McCormack-Kuhman. Teams have scored only 76 points (6.9 per game) against Wells.

When Wells has the ball

The Warriors will run all day if backs Evan Whitten, Riley Dempsey and power fullback Potter are gaining consistent yardage behind a veteran offensive line. That formula worked to the tune of 41.8 points per game as Wells dominated every team it played except Cape Elizabeth. But as they showed against Cape in the South final, they can be effective throwing when needed. Quarterback Owen Berry completed 7 of 9 passes for 125 yards in that game, with Cluff his favorite target. A key matchup on the line will be Wells center McCormack-Kuhman against two-time, first-team all-conference nose guard Josiah Joy. Goode at inside linebacker and Micah Hallett on the defensive line are two other key Trojan defenders Wells will need to negate.

Outlook

Wells’ 19 seniors have spent two years preparing to get to this game after consecutive losses in the regional final. The Warriors expect to have a large cheering section, making them a strong favorite. Wells also has a significant depth advantage over the Trojans, who expect to dress about 25 healthy players.

– Steve Craig

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