Tommy Ellis has witnessed the rebuilding of two South Portland sports teams.

As the Red Riots quarterback, he led South Portland until a broken hand in October ended his season. The team still reached the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

Now, as a four-year regular and team captain for the Red Riots hockey team, Ellis is leading the Red Riots one more time.

The high school hockey playoffs begin tonight with the regional Class A semifinals. Ellis and his underdog South Portland team will take on defending state champion and top-seeded Biddeford at 6 p.m. at the Biddeford Ice Area.

Before Ellis and his fellow seniors first donned their red and white jerseys, South Portland was 4-16 in 2007. The school’s record gradually improved as the Red Riots defeated other Tier II and Tier III schools.

This season, South Portland graduated to Tier I, playing alongside the best teams. The Red Riots’ record (6-10-2) is not impressive but, because of their strength of schedule, they became the eighth seed for the playoffs.

“The growth (of the program) has been incredible,” Ellis said. “As our class matured, the team matured.”

The top eight scorers on the team are seniors, led by Zach Griffin’s 27 points. Ellis has 10 points (four goals and six assists) but scoring is not his real value to the team.

“Tommy is the quintessential defenseman,” South Portland Coach Joe Robinson said. “He never gets beat one-on-one. He’s our leader.”

And, according to the other coaches, Ellis is one of the leading senior Class A players in the state. He was recently named one of eight semifinalists for the Travis Roy Award.

“He’s an incredible player,” Robinson said. “His hockey awareness, his stick handling, his skating.”

Ellis also stands out in the classroom, as a member of the National Honor Society. The college acceptance letters are just coming in. Ellis plans to study geology and play football for a Division III school.

But his mind will be on hockey tonight. Ellis and his teammates have their hands full with unbeaten Biddeford (15-0-3). South Portland lost twice to the Tigers this season, 6-4 and 5-0.

In the first game, Biddeford took a 4-0 lead in the second period. The Red Riots tied it 4-4 in the third, then the Tigers pulled away for a 6-4 win.

“We know we have it in us,” Ellis said.

Tonight’s games will feature four Western Class A quarterfinals, and three Eastern teams. Only seven Eastern teams make the playoffs, so top-seeded Lewiston has a bye.

The semifinals for both Class A and Class B begin this weekend.

Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at:

kthomas@pressherald.com

 

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