Seems like these Rams got a taste of the big time and now they want more.

Last year the Gorham High boys’ soccer team reached the Class A state championship game for the first time in 33 years.

Gorham entered this season missing six players from the 2016 team. Still, the Rams are one step from the state title game again.

Third-seeded Gorham (13-2-1) will be home against fourth-ranked Portland (12-3-1) in the Class A South final at 6 p.m. Wednesday. The winner plays in the state title game Saturday in Hampden.

Wednesday’s game is a rematch of last year’s South final won by Gorham, 1-0.

The Rams may not feature the skills of last year but thave experience in the spotlight.

“I think it makes a big difference,” said Coach Tim King. “They’ve played in big games and felt that pressure. They’ve been behind and battled back.”

The Rams lost just twice this year – 1-0 to Falmouth (which they avenged with a 1-0 win in the South semifinals) and 2-1 to Portland on Sept. 9. The Bulldogs grabbed a 2-0 halftime lead.

“They are incredibly fast to the ball. That gave us some problems,” King said. “By the second half we adjusted.”

Gorham usually adjusts with a sound defensive game – nine shutouts this year – a crafty midfield and strong, sizable forwards.

“This is a different team from last year, for sure,” King said. “Last year we were more technically sound; the skill level might have been higher.

“This team, in my opinion, is bigger and tougher. They battle.”

That battle is anchored by a defense featuring two returning players, sweeper Aaron Farr and outside back Garrett Higgins.

The offense begins with returning midfielder Andrew Rent, only a sophomore but already a force. It was Rent’s assist to Kyle King that provided the winner against Falmouth.

“We rely a lot on Andrew,” King said. “He keys a lot of what we can do.”

What Gorham likes to do is get the ball to the powerful feet of Kyle King (yes, he’s the coach’s son) and Sam Burghardt. Midfielder Nick Sturtevant also creates chances.

Portland is a team that looks for opportunities, especially with its speed.

“We try to put the ball where the guys can compete for it,” said Coach Rocco Frenzilli. “If we play our game, stay with our system of play … it all comes down to execution.”

Portland was 9-1 at one point before a tough stretch against South Portland and Scarborough (both 1-0 losses) and rival Deering (1-1 tie). Since then the Bulldogs are 3-0, including a 1-0 win over Scarborough in the quarterfinals and a 2-1 win over Thornton Academy in the semifinals.

Portland has a solid defense, backed by returning goalie Rowan Daligan and back Quinn Clarke.

The Bulldogs have spread around their scoring, although Zekariya Shaib has been getting big goals lately. Samuel Nkurunziza, Berrick Bobe and Alex Millones are also threats.

THE CLASS B South final features top seed and three-time defending state champion Yarmouth (14-0) at home against second-seeded York (12-2). The Clippers look all-powerful.

Only two opponents have stayed within one goal – and York is one of them. Cape Elizabeth was the other, and the Wildcats survived their semifinal with Cape, winning on penalty kicks.

During the season Yarmouth beat York 3-2 and 1-0, both games in September. Both games were tied with less than 10 minutes remaining.

Still, the Wildcats’ task is daunting. They need to penetrate Yarmouth’s defense, which boasts 10 shutouts, allowing one goal over its last seven games.

York’s offense starts with Alex Nickerson and Zach Westman. The deep Clippers are led by Luke Groothoff and Eric Labrie.

York last reached the state title game in 1998.

IN CLASS C South, top-seeded Maranacook (15-1) is home against seventh-seeded Traip Academy (11-4-1).

Don’t let the seedings fool you. Traip played a tough schedule (a loss to B power York and a 0-1-1 record against Waynflete), then beat second-ranked Monmouth Academy 2-1 and third-seeded Hall-Dale 2-0 in the playoffs.

Goalkeeper Jayce Nielson has played well. Teddy Driscoll, Pablo Zapata and Devon LaRoche all have scored in the postseason.

Maranacook, which lost only to Class A power Lewiston, beat Waynflete 2-1 in double overtime in the semifinals. The Black Bears won back-to-back state titles in 2013 and ’14.

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