Players, fans and coaches enjoy perusing the high school schedule when it comes out, making mental notes of big games. Although coaches like to play “one game at a time,” they notice big games.

Some big games have been played, with more to come. And two of the biggest will take place this weekend: Bangor at Lawrence tonight and Bonny Eagle at Cheverus on Saturday.

All four teams are 6-0 and ranked in the top four in the Portland Press Herald, Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel sports writers’ football poll. Bangor is ranked No. 1, followed by Bonny Eagle, Cheverus and Lawrence.

Bangor and Lawrence will meet at 7 p.m. Since 2006, the winner has claimed home-field advantage throughout the Eastern Class A playoffs, which should be the case again. A year ago, Bangor won 28-21 to snap a six-game losing streak to the Bulldogs.

Bonny Eagle is ranked first in the Western Class A Crabtree standings with a point value of 138.88, followed by Cheverus, Deering and Thornton Academy at 130.88. The Crabtree total is a combination of a team’s winning percentage and its opponents’ winning percentage.

Bonny Eagle will gain the No. 1 seed for the Western Class A playoffs if it beats Cheverus and then Gorham on Oct. 22.

Cheverus and Deering also could gain the top seed by winning out. The Rams also would need a Bonny Eagle loss.

Cheverus and Deering will play Oct. 23 at Cheverus.

The other Western Class A game affecting teams at the other end of the top eight is Windham at Portland tonight. The loser will drop out of contention and the winner would need a victory in its finale to secure a berth.

Westbrook (2-4) would enter the playoff picture by upsetting Deering tonight, then beating Windham next week. The Blue Blazes have shown they can move the ball.

 

AFTER WINNING the Class A state title last season, Windham faced a rebuilding year. In the last two games, the Eagles have made considerable progress.

In one of the more entertaining games of the season, Windham nearly knocked off unbeaten Bonny Eagle before falling short 21-19 last Friday night.

“We’ve really matured the last two weeks,” said Coach Matt Perkins. “We’re starting to hit our stride in all three phases — offense, defense and special teams. We’re starting to see signs the last two weeks.”

The Eagles began the season with four new starters in the line. They have a sophomore tailback in Colby Waterhouse, who, said Perkins, “is getting more comfortable at running back.”

There’s also a new quarterback in Cody Laberge, who had a break-out game against Bonny Eagle. Laberge, who has been a three-year starter at defensive back, showed against the Scots that’s he is a pass-run threat. Laberge scored a touchdown and passed for two more.

“Cody is starting to come into his own,” said Perkins. “He’s starting to feel comfortable. Quarterback is a tough position to learn and play well. He can really stretch the field with his passing.”

Last year’s quarterback, Jackson Taylor, now a University of Maine freshman, didn’t have to run because of the talent around him. He was able to use his strong arm to move the team downfield. This year’s team doesn’t have as many threats, but Laberge is one.

The secondary also has shown talent with 10 interceptions in six games.

“Win these last two games and we get in,” said Perkins. “I like how we match up against anyone.”

 

MAINE CENTRAL INSTITUTE in Pittsfield, a member of Eastern Class C, has used the fake punt 10 times this season, successfully executing it six times, including two for touchdowns.

In last week’s 26-8 victory against Rockland, the Huskies (3-3) threw a 66-yard scoring pass off a fake.

Tyler Maloon passed to Craig Reazor for the score in the fourth quarter that made it 20-8.

The other touchdown off a fake punt came against Orono. Again it was a Maloon scoring pass to Reazor, this one for 65 yards.

Maloon, the punter, is one of the team’s best athletes.

 

Staff Writer Tom Chard can be reached at 791-6419 or at:

tchard@pressherald.com