Camden Hills
Coach: Steve Wadsworth, second year
Last year: 1-7
Returning starters: 10
Impact players: Connor Graffam, sr., TE/DE; Isaac Young, sr., RB/LB; Alex Switzer, sr., OT/DT; Brian Jones, sr., WR/LB; Marty Farrell, sr., RB/CB; Sean Mellon, jr., G/LB; Caylo Littlejohn, jr., G/LB; Nick Rozsahegyi, so., QB/DB; Taylor Crosby, so., RB/DB; Jake Chamberlain, so., WB/DB; Wyatt Summers, jr., DE; Nate Pascal, jr., WR/CB
Outlook: Camden Hills could be competitive if it stays healthy. At 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, Graffam will be a good target for QB Rozsahegyi. The Windjammers aren’t eligible for the playoffs because based on enrollment, they’re a Class B school playing in Class C. The numbers are low so that’s why Camden Hills elected to play down.
Cape Elizabeth
Coach: Aaron Filieo, 10th year
Last year: 3-6
Returning starters: 9
Impact players: Nick Moulton, sr., RB/LB; Tony Moulton, sr., RB/DB; Caelan Houle, sr., OT/DT; Tom Feenstra, sr., TE/DE; Damien Allain, sr., C/DT
Outlook: After a good run of talent, the Capers are retooling. Cape moves to Class C which will give it a chance to play schools more its size. The Capers will look to spread the running chores around. The Moultons should form a strong running combination. Filieo liked the team’s chemistry in preseason and looks for it to continue. Feenstra is a good target at TE. The keys are always the same for the Capers, said Filieo. “We want to get better each week.”
Freeport
Coach: Rob Grover, sixth year
Last year: 4-4
Returning starters: 8
Impact players: Joe Nixon, sr., RB/DB; Adam Brobst, sr., OT/LB; Cam Buthlay, sr., TE/LB; Darnel Strother, sr., OG/DE; Ben MacMillan, sr., FB/LB
Outlook: The Falcons have the potential to be strong defensively, but a lack of depth could hurt their chances overall. The team will start with 27 players. Nixon gained 600 yards and MacMillan had 530 yards. If the line can open holes, they could have strong seasons.
Gray-New Gloucester
Coach: Jim Hersom, second year
Last year: 1-7
Returning starters: 6
Impact players: Tyler Hicks, sr., OG/LB; Adam Dumas, jr., FB/LB; Carson Hodsdon, jr., QB/DB; Zachary Haskell, so., RB/DB; Justin McKenna, sr., WR/DB; Colby Graffius, sr., OG/DT
Outlook: The move to Class C should help the Patriots. The addition of several players who haven’t played for the last two years will help the depth. The team has a strong sophomore class with 14 players. The team will count on Hicks, Dumas and Hodsdon to key the offense.
Lake Region
Coach: Brian Jahna, second year
Last year: 1-7
Returning starters: 7
Impact players: Cody Gibbons, sr., RB/DB/LB; Nolan Abrams, sr., OL/DL; Brian Brooks, sr., OL/LB; Erik Christenson, sr., RB/DE; Quinn Piland, jr., QB/LB; Nick Wandishin, so., WR/DB; Gunnar Harriman, so., RB/DB
Outlook: Moving to Class C should help the Lakers’ struggling program. Although the roster numbers have improved slightly, lack of depth could still be a concern. This is a young team, with developing senior leadership.
Poland
Coach: Ted Tibbetts, third year
Last year: 2-6
Returning starters: 14
Impact players: Everett Bertrand, sr., RB/LB; Nick Cote, jr., RB; Jake Simard, sr., OG/LB
Outlook: The Knights have 14 starters back and are led by a trio of players — Bertrand, Cote and Simard. Poland is looking to get off to a fast start and set the tone for the season. Bertrand is called the energy of the team by the coach. Cote is a versatile player and Simard provides a physical presence in the line. If they can reverse some of the close losses a year ago, the Knights could vie for a playoff spot.
Spruce Mountain
Coach: Walter Polky, second year
Last year: 3-5
Returning starters: 8
Impact players: Peter Theriault, so., QB/DB; Matt Vigue, jr., TB/DB;
Outlook: The team is still young, but a move to Class C should help down the road.
Mountain Valley
Coach: Jim Aylward, 25th year
Last year: 3-6, lost in Western Class B quarterfinals
Returning starters: 3
Impact players: Tom Thibeau, sr., Brandon Roberts, sr., Austin Varnum, sr., Anthony Boucher, sr., Dalton Milledge, jr., Caleb Gauvin, jr., Josh Mason, jr., Zac Gonzales, jr., Alan Carrier, so.,
Outlook: The Falcons are young and may struggle early in the season because of inexperience and academic eligibility issues. Aylward calls this his youngest and least experienced team. He’s looking for the young players to develop so that Mountain Valley can be a factor once again.
Yarmouth
Coach: Chris Pingitore, second year
Last year: 2-7
Returning starters: 10
Impact players: Brady Neujahr, sr., QB/DB; Tom Lord, sr., FB/DL; Matt Woodbury, sr., RB/LB; Matt Klepinger, sr., RB/DB; Rhys Eddy, sr., WR/LB; Nate Shields-Auble, sr., OT/DT
Outlook: The Clippers should bounce back from a losing season with the potential to be one of the better teams in Class C. Neujahr starts his fourth season at QB. He played on championship teams his first two seasons. Last season, he passed and ran for close to 1,000 yards and scored six touchdowns. Yarmouth expects to throw the ball more and look for Woodbury, Klepinger and Eddy to be prime targets. The line could be a question mark, but Shields-Auble, at 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, is a proven player at tackle.
Wells
Coach: Tim Roche, 15th year
Last year: 7-3, lost in Western Class B semifinals
Returning starters: 3
Impact players: Jake Moody, sr., RB/DB; Chris Carney, jr., RB/LB; Colin Sevigney, sr., FB/LB; Charlie Taylor, sr., OT/DE; Jake Godin, sr., DE; Nate Booth, jr., QB/DB; Ryan Marsh, jr., TE/LB; Mike Curtis, jr., OT/LB; Kyle Goodale, jr., OT/DT; Robbie Chaplin, jr., C/DT
Outlook: Wells has a good turnout of players, led by Moody, who can play any of the skill positions. He will be one of the team’s go-to players. Another player in the same mold is Curtis, a physical presence in the line and at linebacker. The program is young with 26 freshmen. The program’s goal is always the same – win a state title. Wells moves from Class B to Class C.
— Tom Chard, Staff Writer
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