BOOTHBAY REGION
Coach: Bryan Dionne, third year
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Last year: 1-7
Returning starters: 8
Impact players: Cormac Miller, sr., FB/LB; Linc Simmons, sr., OL/DL; Shawn Simmons, jr., OL/DL; Julian Aponte, so., QB/DB; Jason Maddocks, jr., RB/LB; Jesse Peters, sr., RB/DB
Outlook: The Seahawks continue to build the program. Miller and Simmons are co-captains and three-year starters. Miller has good speed and could be tough to tackle one-on-one. At 275 pounds, Simmons is someone the team will run behind. More players are in the program than when Dionne began.
FREEPORT
Coach: Rob Grover, fifth year
Last year: 5-4 (lost in quarterfinals)
Returning starters: 8
Impact players: Dan Burke, sr., FB/LB; James Purdy, sr., QB/LB; Jared Polley, sr., TB/DB; Joe Nixon, jr., RB/DB; Darnell Strothers, jr., OG/DE; Ben MacMillian, jr., OG/LB
Outlook: The Falcons are led by Burke and Purdy, both four-year starters. Burke had more than 700 yards rushing and led with 68 tackles in being named all-conference. Purdy was the team’s second-leading tackler at safety. The Falcons have a new line, which is the biggest question mark as the season gets under way.
LISBON
Coach: Dick Mynahan, 26th year
Last year: 8-3 (lost in semifinals)
Returning starters: 10
Impact players: Kasey Garrison, sr., OL/DL; Kyle Sheehan, sr., FB/LB; Brandon Hovey, sr., WR/DB; Quincy Thompson, jr., RB/DE; Ryan Riordan, sr., QB
Outlook: Lisbon should be in the thick of the Western Class C title race as usual. The team has several game-breakers, which could mean trouble for opponents. Thompson had several big catches last year and Riordan has the arm strength to get him the ball. Sheehan is a hard runner who can get the extra yards.
OLD ORCHARD BEACH
Coach: Dean Plante, 11th year
Last year: 3-5
Returning starters: 8
Impact players: Quincy Grace, sr., TE/DE; Joey Gildard, jr., RB/DB; Bryan Roberts, so., FB/LB; Tyler Conners, sr., OT/DT; Nick Carlin, sr., RB/LB; Matt Parks, sr., QB; Tyler Scott, jr., WR/DB; Jim Strohm, sr., WR/DB
Outlook: The Seagulls have one of their quickest teams in several seasons. Roberts rushed for 400 yards last year. Gildard has improved steadily and looks for a good season. Parks shows a lot of poise at quarterback. The Seagulls are looking to turn things around and reach the playoffs.
POLAND
Coach: Ted Tibbetts, second year
Last year: 4-4
Returning starters: 9
Impact players: Tyler Sturtevant, sr., FB/LB; Tony Whalen, sr., QB/DB; Brandon Drottar sr., SE/DE; Isaac Stone, sr., OT/LB; Sam Scales, sr., C/DE; Everett Bertrand, jr., WB/LB
Outlook: The Knights’ offense is bolstered by Whalen, who combined for 1,000 yards passing and running last season. The team has good quickness. The Knights have several starters back, which should bode well for their playoff chances. “I feel we’re a better team now than we were last October,” said Tibbetts.
SACOPEE VALLEY
Coach: Chuck Hamaty, third year
Last year: 0-8
Returning starters: 5
Impact players: Mike Hunter, sr., HB/LB; Clay Cordasco, jr., HB; Zach Barrows, jr., QB/LB; Sawyer Cote, jr., OL/DL; Isaac Moore, jr., HB/LB
Outlook: Hamaty likes the attitude players showed in preseason and continue to show. The veterans are showing strong leadership for the underclassmen, who may be thrust into roles before they’re ready. The success of the season will depend on how quickly the younger players develop.
TRAIP ACADEMY
Coach: Ron Ross, 11th year
Last year: 8-3 (lost in regional final)
Returning starters: 16
Impact players: Corey Aldecoa, sr., RB/DB; Ben Castellano, sr., OT/DT; Danny Eddy, sr., OT/LB; Joe Harty, sr., C/DT; Devon Draker, sr., RB/LB; Cam Cavanaugh, sr., TE/DE; Antensio Martin, sr., WR/DB; Chris Czhor, jr., QB
Outlook: The Rangers, who return 16 starters, should contend again. Aldecoa rushed for 1,627 yards and scored 11 touchdowns. Castellano was a Maine Sunday Telegram All-State selection at tackle. At 5-foot-11, 270 pounds, Castellano will be a force in the middle again. Czhor shows good offensive management and a strong arm.
YARMOUTH
Coach: Chris Pingitore, first year
Last year: 12-0 (Won Class C state title)
Returning starters: 7
Impact players: Brady Neujahr, jr., QB/DB; Tom Lord, jr., FB/LB; Matt Woodbury, jr., HB/LB; Nate Shields-Auble, jr., TE/LB; Matt Klepinger, jr., RB/LB; Brandon Moody, sr., OG/DT
Outlook: The Clippers have a new coach in Pingitore, who assisted Jim Hartman for four seasons. The team has won back-to-back state titles and 24 consecutive games. Although it graduated 12 seniors, Yarmouth should contend for a third title with the likes of Neujahr at QB, Shields-Auble on both sides of the ball and some skilled linemen. Pingitore feels the line is athletic with plenty of quickness. Last season, Neujahr passed for 448 yards and five touchdowns, and ran for 247 yards and six touchdowns.
– Tom Chard
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