CAMDEN HILLS
Coach: Steve Wadsworth, first year
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Last year: 0-8
Returning starters: 7
Impact players: Alex Crans, sr., WR/DB; Coleman Powers, sr., WR/DB; Alex Bryant, sr., OL/DL; John White, sr., G/DT; Ian Nason, sr., OG/K; Isaac Young, jr., RB/LB; Brian Jones, jr., WR/DB; Connor Graffam, jr., WR/DE; Alex Switzer, jr., OL/DL; Chris Weiss, so., RB/DB; Colt Muir, so., OL/LB; Wyatt Summers, so., DE
Outlook: The Windjammers have a new coach in Wadsworth, who coached at the middle school the last three years. He has made several positional changes to get more offense. The team has talent at skill positions and a lot of speed.
CAPE ELIZABETH
Coach: Aaron Filieo, ninth year
Last year: 7-3 (lost in semifinals)
Returning starters: 7
Impact players: Kyle Snowden, sr., OL/DL; Connor Maguire, sr., QB/DB; Austin Petsinger, sr., TE/LB; Cam Wilson, sr., RB/DB; Jamie Hewes, sr., OL/DL
Outlook: Cape has talent at the skill positions but not a lot of team depth, so staying healthy will be important. Maguire looks to add to his improvement from a year ago. He will be a key to the team’s chances of making the playoffs. The backs will run behind Snowden, who turned into the team’s best blocker last season.
FALMOUTH
Coach: John Fitzsimmons, sixth year
Last year: 6-3 (lost in quarterfinals)
Returning starters: 3
Impact players: John Walker, sr., OG/LB; Jacob Buhelt, sr., RB/DB; Alex Derhagopian, sr., RB/LB; Justin Rogers, jr., WR; Jack Simonds, so., 6-5, WR; Storm Covens, jr., QB; Noah Nelson, so., QB; Joe Goodrich, jr., kicker/punter
Outlook: The Yachtsmen, who graduated 13 seniors, are a young team that should improve. Walker is 6-foot-2, 275 pounds, and has the potential to be one of the top linemen in Western Class B. Derhagopian is a strong open-field runner. The team has size and speed at wide receiver with Rogers and Simonds, both 6-4. Covens and Nelson, the quarterbacks, must get them the ball.
FRYEBURG ACADEMY
Coach: David Turner, fifth year
Last year: 2-6
Returning starters: 13
Impact players: Kyle Bonner, sr., RB/DB; Andrew Rascor, sr., QB/DB; Ian MacFawn, sr., OL/DE; Tanner Wentworth, sr., TE/LB; C.J. Bartlett, sr., TE/DL; Dick Thurston, sr., WR/DE; Devine Dockery, sr., RB/LB; Bright Amoako, sr., WR/DB
Outlook: This is Bonner’s fourth year as a defensive starter. The Raiders are hopeful of improving their record with players who saw significant action last year. The core players will need to have big years. Developing both lines will be a key. The Raiders are hoping to turn last year’s close losses into wins. The team hopes to be competitive in every game.
GRAY-NEW GLOUCESTER
Coach: Jim Hersom, first year
Last year: 1-8
Returning starters: 8
Impact players: Josh Greenleaf, sr., RB/DB; Colin Skillings, sr., FB/LB; Cam Quintal, sr., C/NG; Tyler Hicks, jr., G/LB; Aron Chapman, sr., TE/DE
Outlook: The Patriots have a new coach in Hersom, who last was a head coach at Edward Little in 2005. He has been impressed with the players’ attitude and commitment. Several seniors are playing their third year of varsity. The team will look to capitalize on that experience. The Patriots will look to grow and grab a few wins. “We’re going to try to be as competitive as we can and play as hard as we can,” said Hersom.
GREELY
Coach: David Higgins, fourth year
Last year: 5-4 (lost in quarterfinals)
Returning starters: 6
Impact players: Drew Hodge, sr., QB/DB; Svenn Jacobson, sr., RB/LB; Nick Maynard, sr., WR/DB; Dylan Rasch, jr., OL/DL; Alex Moore, sr., RB/LB; James Ferrar, jr., RB/DL
Outlook: The Rangers have Jacobson, an all-conference running back his first two seasons. The team will run the triple option and with Hodge has an experienced hands at the controls. Hodge is a co-captain with Rasch, who brings experience to the line. Maynard made several nice catches last season and figures to be even better.
LAKE REGION
Coach: Brian Jahna, first year
Last year: 0-8
Returning starters: 5
Impact players: Kamen Scott, sr., OL/DL; Mike Triglione, sr., QB/LB; Jarid Pierce, sr., OL/DL; Cody Gibbons, jr., RB/LB; Derek Douglas, sr., OL; Kyle Stevens, sr., RB/LB; David Cosgrove, sr., OL/DL; Quinn Piland, so., QB/DB
Outlook: The numbers are low with a substantial percentage coming from the freshman class. The players are embracing the program, producing a lot of positive energy and demonstrating poise and character. “If we stay healthy, we should continue to improve as the season progresses,” said Jahna.
MARSHWOOD
Coach: Alex Rotsko, first year
Last year: 2-6
Returning starters: 5
Impact players: Tyler Gagnon, jr., OL/DL; Eric Pratt, sr., OL/DL; Noah Kreider, jr., WR/DB; Cameron Roll, jr., QB/LB; Brett Gerry, so., RB/LB; Dan Lizzotte, sr., FB/LB; Nick Janes, sr., RB/DB; Beau Blanchette, jr., TE/DL
Outlook: The Hawks have a new coach in Rotsko, a former head coach at American International College in Springfield, Mass. He was also a successful high school coach in Longmeadow, Mass. The Hawks will run the wing-T with Gerry and Lizzotte getting their share of carries. How the Hawks adjust to a new offense and coach will determine their success.
MORSE
Coach: Jason Darling, third year
Last year: 4-4 (lost in quarterfinals)
Returning starters: 14
Impact players: Kevin McKellar, sr., QB/DB; D’Vaughn Myers, sr., RB/DB; Keegan Drouin, sr., WR/DB; Liam McDonough, jr., FB/LB; Kaleb Snowdon, jr., OG/NG; Cameron Malcolm, jr., OT/DT
Outlook: The Shipbuilders, who should be one of the top teams in Eastern Class B, have 14 returning starters from a playoff team. McKellar and Myers were all-conference picks. Snowdon and Malcolm have started in the line since their freshmen years. “We’ve had a good preseason and we’re relatively healthy,” said Darling.
MOUNTAIN VALLEY
Coach: Jim Aylward, 24th year
Last year: 9-2 (lost in regional final)
Returning starters: 7
Impact players: Matt Hosie, sr., RB/LB; Colin Merrill, sr., LB; Jake Theriault, jr., RB/DB; Santos Rodriguez, sr., OL/DL; Ryan Nichols, sr., RB
Outlook: The Falcons begin each season expecting to compete for a title. Hosie is one of the top backs in Western Class B. The team graduated key players but there’s enough returning to cushion the losses. There might not be as much depth as in the past.
OCEANSIDE
Coach: Woody Moore, sixth year
Last year: 2-6
Returning starters: 14
Impact players: Sam Meklin, sr., QB/DE; Matt Zable, sr., WR/DB; Dan Hendricks, sr., WR/LB; Dan Stone, sr., RB/LB; Jacob Butman, sr., TE/DB; Jake St. Pierre, sr., C/DT; Raheem James, sr., RB/DB; Garrette Burns, jr., RB/LB; Damien Ball, jr., RB/DB
Outlook: The Mariners thought they would have a new coach because Moore lost his health teacher job with the elimination of federal money. Archie Stalcup stepped in and coached the team in preseason, but Moore — who coached four years at Rockland before the school merged with Georges Valley — is back after getting a job as a health coordinator. Stalcup will assist. The team is led by Meklin, who is 6-foot-5, 215 pounds. There’s strong senior leadership as the class has played together for a few years.
SPRUCE MOUNTAIN
Coach: Walter Polky, first year
Last year: 4-4 (lost in quarterfinals)
Returning starters: 2
Impact players: Peter Theriault, so., QB/DB; Josh Wilcox, sr., HB/DE; Brandon Hodges, sr., OG/LB; Matt Vigue, so., TB/DB; Carl Souther, sr., OT/DT; Brent Buote, sr., FB/DE; James Metzger, sr., OT/DT
Outlook: The team has a new coach in Polky, who worked with the secondary, running backs and receivers in three years at Bates College. There are a total of three seniors on offense and defense. Polky has incorporated a new offense and defense, and the players will need time to adjust.
WELLS
Coach: Tim Roche, 14th year
Last year: 12-0 (Class B state champion)
Returning starters: 3
Impact players: Dante Fanning, sr., FB/LB; Joey Spinelli, sr., RB/DB; Gavin Snapp, sr., QB/DB; Drew Shelley, sr., RB/LB; Dylan Stevens, sr., TE/DE; Jason Chase, sr., DE; Colin Harrington, sr., OL/DL; Matt Fischer, sr., OL/DL; Marc Surprenanp, sr., OL/DL
Outlook: The Warriors graduated 17 seniors from last year’s Class B state champs, but feel they have the potential to be in the thick of the race again. Spinelli looks to repeat a strong season. Fanning and Shelley could be breakaway threats. Snapp steps in at quarterback.
WESTBROOK
Coach: Jeff Guerette, fifth year
Last year: 5-5 (lost in semifinals)
Returning starters: 13
Impact players: Aaron Duncanson, sr., SE/DB; Ben Grant, sr., HB/DE; Devon Grant, sr., OT/DT; Josh Tardiff, sr., OT/DT; Trey Arsenault, jr., C/LB; Noah Collins, jr., TE/LB; Kyle Heath, jr., QB/DB; Collin Joyce, jr., HB/DB; Cale Bollig, sr., FB/DE
Outlook: The Blue Blazes made the playoffs in their first Class B season and look to repeat. Heath moves from running back to quarterback, where the team hopes to use his speed. Duncanson is expected to be a key target. Westbrook hopes to be more balanced between the run and pass.
YORK
Coach: Randy Small, 16th year
Last year: 3-6 (lost in quarterfinals)
Returning starters: 18
Impact players: Thomas Kinton, sr., FB/LB; Patrick Walsh, sr., C/DL; Alex Mercurio, sr., OG/LB; Taylor Newton, sr., OG/DT; Wes Warner, sr., WR/DB; Zach Faskianos, sr., FB/DE; Ross Hogan, jr., QB/DB; Kyle Miller, jr., OT/DT; Ethan McDonough, jr., OT/DT; Ryan Miller, jr., RB/LB; Sean Kelly, jr., RB/DE; Mitchell Lee, jr., WR/LB
Outlook: The Wildcats have experience, depth and 18 returning starters. A lot of them are entering their third year as regulars. Small has been impressed with the work ethic. The Wildcats will use a two-tailback offense. Hogan is a returning starter with a strong arm. At 200 pounds, Kelly has the power to break tackles. The team has the potential for a deep playoff run.
— Tom Chard
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