Falmouth’s Will Blum tries in vain to make a tackle during the Yachtsmen’s 38-27 victory at Leavitt Saturday night.

Yarmouth’s Sophie McGrath scores a goal during the Clippers’ 5-0 home win over Freeport last week.

North Yarmouth Academy’s Zelda Clegg goes to the floor to receive a shot during the Panthers’ 3-0 win over Brunswick last week. NYA was 9-1 on the season at press time.

Greely’s Katherine Leggat-Barr leads the pack at Saturday’s Festival of Champions in Belfast. Leggat-Barr finished fourth individually and the Rangers were second as a team to Cumberland (Rhode Island). 

(Ed. Note: For the complete Yarmouth-Freeport field hockey and Falmouth-Scarborough volleyball game stories, with photos, see theforecaster.net)

The postseason is set to begin with the golf championships this weekend and other sports aren’t far behind. The short but sweet regular season is quickly slipping away and games take on more and more importance by the day.

Here’s a look at where things stand now that the calendar has flipped to October:

Football

It was a mixed bag on the gridiron last weekend as Falmouth and Greely prevailed, but Freeport and Yarmouth lost.

The Yachtsmen got a tussle at Leavitt, but as they did a year ago (24-14 at home), they managed to beat the Hornets, thanks to a second half surge.

Falmouth opened the scoring with a 5-yard run by Brandon Martin, but couldn’t convert the extra point. After Leavitt went ahead, 7-6, Garrett Aube took the Yachtsmen’s next play to the house for 57 yards, making it 12-7, but the hosts rallied to lead, 14-12, then extended their advantage to 21-12. Falmouth got life when quarterback Jack Bryant cut the deficit to 21-18 on a 1-yard keeper touchdown run with 48 seconds left.

The Falmouth QB then opened the second half with a 5-yard scoring run and the Yachtsmen never looked back. The Falmouth defense quieted the Leavitt attack, with Riley Reed’s interception return for a touchdown midway through the third quarter being the linchpin. Th 46-yard pick-six made it 38-21 right after Aube’s 15-yard scoring scamper. The Hornets scored once more, but the Yachtsmen went on to a 38-27 victory.

“I think we just came out and just kept the pace up,” said Bryant, who was 7-of-18 for 137 yards and ran 24 times for 136 yards and two TDs. “And our D really played a great second half. Scoring on that interception was a huge momentum shift for us.”

Falmouth (now 4-1 and third behind Biddeford and Kennebunk in the Class B South Crabtree Points standings) visits 2-3 Morse Friday. Last year, the Yachtsmen beat the visiting Shipbuilders, 31-0, during the regular season, then crushed them, 57-13, in the Class B South quarterfinals. 

Greely is once again enjoying a midseason surge, as it did in 2015 en route to a stunning run to the semifinals. After starting 0-2, the Rangers improved to 3-2 with a hard-fought 40-20 home win over Morse Friday.

Greely (which enjoyed a 27-7 victory at Morse last year) grabbed a 7-0 lead on Tim Coyle’s short touchdown run and after the Shipbuilders got a score of their own but missed the extra point, quarterback Nick Gauvin hit Shane DeWolfe for a 47-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-6 Rangers after one period. Morse rallied to tie the game, 14-14, at halftime, then took a 20-14 lead early in the third quarter, but a 48-yard TD run from Joey Cassella made it 20-20 heading for the final stanza, where Greely dominated. The hosts went on top for good when Cassella scored on a 3-yard run. Cassella added scoring runs of 25 and 24 yards and the Rangers extended their win streak.

“It was a good character win,” said Greely coach David Higgins. “They came back and went ahead, then we had to come back. We talk about overcoming adversity and you also need some luck.

“We always have a tendency to start slowly, then we get better each week. Maybe I need to do a better job with (preseason) double sessions.”

Greely (fifth in Class B South) goes to 1-4 Leavitt Friday. Last year, after losing, 20-14, at home to the Hornets in the regular season, the Rangers shocked the perennial contenders in Turner in the quarterfinals, 34-26. Greely then closes with games at home versus Mt. Ararat and at rival Falmouth.

“The next several weeks should be interesting,” Higgins said. “Leavitt will be challenging and that should be exciting up there. Our primary goal is to get in to the playoffs for the sixth straight year and we want to beat Falmouth no matter what. This league is so much fun. It’s so unpredictable.”

Yarmouth, the defending Class C South champion, dropped its second game in a row Friday, 54-7, at Wells in a rematch of last year’s regional final. The Clippers, who beat the Warriors, 16-15, in the regular season and 17-14 in last year’s playoffs, fell behind, 14-0, after one period and 27-0 before a 2-yard run from quarterback John Thoma got them on the board in the second quarter. That would be it for offense, however, as the Warriors went on top, 34-7, at halftime, 47-7 after three periods and coasted to victory, dropping Yarmouth to 3-2.

The Clippers (third in the Class C South Crabtrees) host 3-2 Spruce Mountain Friday (see theforecaster.net for game story). Last year, Yarmouth won at Spruce Mountain, 29-8.

Freeport fell to 2-3 and sixth in Class C South after a 35-0 setback at Fryeburg Academy. The Raiders (who won, 34-7, in Freeport a year ago) scored single touchdowns in the first three quarters and pushed across two more in the fourth period.

The Falcons look to get back in the win column Saturday when 2-3 Mountain Valley pays a visit. Last year, Freeport lost to the Falcons in Rumford, 20-0.

Boys’ soccer

Falmouth’s boys’ soccer team began the week ranked first in the Class A South Heal Ponits standings. Last week, the Yachtsmen improved to 7-1-1 with shutout wins at Wells (6-0) and at home over Freeport (3-0). Nate Arrants scored twice and Michael Sanzari had the other goal against the Falcons. Falmouth was at Fryeburg Academy Tuesday and hosts Cape Elizabeth Friday.

In Class B South, two-time Class B state champion Yarmouth ascended to the top spot after wins last week at defending Class C South champion Waynflete (4-1), Fryeburg Academy (5-0) and Greely (4-1). Luke Groothoff scored twice against the Flyers and John Clinton and Luke Waeldner had one goal apiece. Groothoff, Matt Dostie, Tahj Garvey, Bill Jacobs and Eric LaBrie all scored against the Raiders. In the win over the Rangers, Gibson Harnett had two goals, while Clinton and Dostie also tickled the twine. The Clippers (7-2) were home against Gray-New Gloucester Tuesday (see theforecaster.net for game story) and visit Wells Thursday.

Freeport went 1-1-1 last week, blanking visiting Poland (7-0), losing at Falmouth (3-0) and tying visiting Waynflete (1-1). Colby Wagner had two goals in the victory, while Caleb Arsenault, Joe Ashby, Eric Pelletier, Jacob Tomm and Shea Wagner all scored once. Eriksen Shea scored against the Flyers, but the Falcons couldn’t hold on. Freeport (5-4-1 and seventh in Class B South) was at Poland Tuesday, hosts York Friday and visits Cape Elizabeth Tuesday of next week in a playoff rematch.

Greely fell to 3-6 and 10th in Class B South after home losses to York (3-0) and Yarmouth (4-1) last week. Will Pidgeon had the goal against the Clippers. The Rangers were at Kennebunk Tuesday, welcome Poland Friday and host Gray-New Gloucester Monday.

In Class C South, North Yarmouth Academy was 7-3 and fifth in the Heals after extending its win streak to five last week by downing visiting Sacopee Valley (1-0) and Traip Academy (3-0). Ryan Baker had the goal against the Hawks.Ryan Baker scored twice and Andrew Keith had the other goal in the win over the Rangers. The Panthers hosted defending regional champion Waynflete Thursday (see theforecaster.net for game story) and visit Sacopee Valley Saturday. 

Girls’ soccer

Yarmouth’s girls’ soccer team took a step closer to the top seed for the Class B South playoffs with wins last week over visiting Fryeburg Academy (2-0) and at defending state champion Greely in a playoff rematch, 4-1. In the win over the Raiders, Eva Then and Amanda Murray had the goals, while Ellie Purgavie and Olivia Feeley had assists. Against the Rangers, Sara D’Appolonia scored twice and Katie Clemmer and Gretchen Barbera had one goal apiece. The Clippers (9-0-1 and first in the Heal Points standings at press time) went to Gray-New Gloucester Tuesday and host Wells Thursday.

Greely preceded its loss to Yarmouth with a 3-2 double overtime victory at York. Katherine Clancy and Courtney Sullivan scored in regulation and Skylar Cooney won it in OT. The Rangers (7-3 and second in Class B South) were home with Kennebunk Tuesday, visit Poland Saturday and play at Gray-New Gloucester Monday.

Freeport ran the gamut last week, beating hosting Lake Region, 2-0, losing at home to Falmouth, 5-0, and tying host Waynflete, 0-0. Catriona Gould and Tia Peterson had the goals in the victory. The Falcons (5-3-1 and ninth in Class B South) hosted Poland Tuesday, visit York Thursday, welcome Sacopee Valley Saturday and play host to Cape Elizabeth Tuesday of next week.

In Class A South, Falmouth made it four victories in five games with wins last week over visiting Wells (7-0) and and host Freeport (5-0). Meghan Dye and Delaney Goodell both scored twice against the Warriors, while Lucy Mahoney, Amelia Waite and Madison Wolf had one goal apiece. In the win over the Falcons, Waite scored twice, while Wolf, Cali Wiberg and Kelly Yoon had one apiece. The Yachtsmen (5-4 and ninth in the region) were home against Fryeburg Academy Tuesday and visit Cape Elizabeth Saturday.

Field hockey

Falmouth’s field hockey team is in the hunt for the top seed in the Class A South playoffs. Last week, the Yachtsmen bounced back from just their second loss with a 1-0 home triumph over Fryeburg Academy and a 6-2 win at Freeport. Kate Kelley had the goal against the Raiders. In the victory over the Falcons, Devon Sarazin went off for four goals and Kelley and Stone Carmichael had one apiece. Falmouth (11-2 and first in Class A South at press time) finished at home versus Cape Elizabeth Thursday.

In Class B South, Yarmouth is heating up at the right time. Last week, the Clippers blanked host Cape Elizabeth (3-0) and visiting Freeport (5-0) and won, 4-1, at home over Greely. Against the Falcons, Ally MacLeod had two goals, while Maggie Gunville, Abby McDowell and Sophie McGrath had one apiece.

“We fight for everything,” MacLeod said. “As long as we fight until the end and work together, we’ll keep hitting the ball until someone finally makes it.”

“I was really pleased with the second half,” Ashley said. “We were a little flat at the beginning, but it was nice to see us pick us up and have some different scorers.”

In the win over the Rangers, MacLeod had two more goals, while Eliza Lunt and Emilie Martin also rattled the cage. Yarmouth (8-4 and third behind York and Kennebunk in the region) hosted Kennebunk in a pivotal contest on Senior Night Wednesday (see theforecaster.net for game story) and closes at Gray-New Gloucester Monday. 

Freeport’s skid hit four last week with losses at Yarmouth (5-0) and at home versus Falmouth (6-2). Against the Clippers, goalie Megan Seymour made 11 saves, but the Falcons couldn’t generate any offense.

“Yarmouth’s a good team, but I’m disappointed that we can’t compete with them more,” said Freeport coach Marcia Wood. “I think that’s my biggest frustration.”

Natalie Anderson and Bailey Coffin scored against the Yachtsmen. Freeport (4-6-1 and ninth in Class B South) was home against Cape Elizabeth Tuesday, goes to Fryeburg Academy Thursday and closes at Greely Saturday.

Speaking of Greely, the Rangers beat visiting Gray-New Gloucester, 2-1, and lost, 4-1, at Yarmouth last week. In the win over the Patriots, Erin O’Donovan scored in the first half (Maddy Perfetti got the assist) and Perfetti scored late. Greely (5-6 and clinging to the 10th and final playoff spot in Class B South) was at two-time defending Class B champion York Tuesday, hosts Freeport Saturday and welcomes Cape Elizabeth in the regular season finale Monday.

In Class C South, NYA’s skid hit three with a 3-0 home loss to Traip Academy Friday. The Panthers (5-4-2 and sixth in the Heals) were home against the Maine Girls’ Academy/Waynflete co-op team Tuesday, play at Wells Thursday and close at Traip Academy Tuesday of next week.

Volleyball

Greely’s volleyball team has yet to lose a set, not to mention a match. Last week, the Rangers swept visiting Yarmouth (25-8, 25-12, 25-25-13), visiting Gardiner and host Mt. Desert Island to improve to 10-0. Against the Clippers, Kayley Cimino had 11 kills and Molly Chapin added nine and Morgan Selby had 20 assists. Greely (first in the Class A Heal Points standings) was at Gorham Tuesday and welcomes Thornton Academy Thursday.

Falmouth was 7-3 after splitting two four-set matches last week, winning at Windham (25-15, 22-25, 25-16, 25-18) and losing at Scarborough (13-25, 9-25, 26-24, 16-25).  In the victory, Madi Tait had 27 digs and 16 kills. Against the defending Class A champion Red Storm, Tait had six kills and five service points, Alison Noyes had eight kills and Alaina Birkel added 17 assists.

“(Scarborough’s) a very good team,” Yachtsmen coach Molly Northway said. “It was a good matchup. The girls gave their all. They really were trying. It was a good team dynamic overall.”

Falmouth (fifth in Class A) was home against Bonny Eagle Tuesday, hosts Cony on Senior Night Thursday and goes to Yarmouth Tuesday of next week.

Yarmouth looked to give coach Jim Senecal his 100th victory with the program when it hosted South Portland Tuesday (see theforecaster.net for match story). Last week, the Clippers lost in three sets at Greely, then improved to 7-2 and seventh in Class A with a three set (25-14, 25-11, 25-4) win at Cony. In the loss, Yarmouth got eight kills from Alison Clark and 11 assists from Dominique Moran. Against the Rams, Clark had 12 kills, Moran added 22 assists and Rachel Chillé produced 22 service points and had eight kills. The Clippers go to Cape Elizabeth Thursday and welcome Falmouth Tuesday of next week.

NYA continues to sizzle and began the week 9-1 and third behind Calais and Woodland in Class B after wins last week over at home over York in four sets (25-14, 25-21, 23-25, 25-11) and at home in straight sets over Brunswick (26-24, 25-13, 25-10), Bucksport (25-20, 25-14, 25-15) and Sumner (25-12, 25-5, 25-17). Against the Wildcats, Jordan Ackerman served six aces and Zelda Clegg had six kills. Maggie Larson had six aces and five kills and Tessa Quattrucci added eight aces against the Dragons. In the win over Bucksport, Ackerman had nine aces and Clegg added nine kills. Suzanna Butterfield had 13 aces against Sumner. The Panthers go Down East to Jonesport-Beals Friday and to Machias and Washington Academy Saturday.

Cross country

Local cross country teams made the trip to Belfast Saturday to compete in the 15th annual Festival of Champions. More than 1,700 runners from 76 schools (68 Maine schools) competed.

Falmouth’s boys’ squad finished first, while Greely was fourth, Maine Coast Waldorf School came in 10th and Yarmouth was 17th. NYA was 46th out of 61 scoring teams.

The Yachtsmen were led by Jeremiah Sands, who had the third-best individual time (15 minutes, 58.15 seconds). Conner Piers (16th, 16:38.21) and John Auer (19th, 16:40.86) also placed in the top 20.

The Rangers were paced by Luke Marsanskis (20th, 16:41.78).

Tucker Pierce had the top finish for MCW (ninth, 16:29.17).

The Clippers featured Luke Laverdiere (15:33), who was first among 868 runners who completed the course.

“I think I’m in excellent shape,” said Laverdiere. “It’s halfway through the season and I think it’s definitely a good gauge for what I wanted to do this year.”

The Panthers were led by Rick Hilscher (154th, 18:34.46).

In the girls’ meet, won by Cumberland, Rhode Island, Greely came in second out of 58 teams, Yarmouth was third, Falmouth placed 13th and MCW was 30th.

Individually, Falmouth’s Malaika Pasch (second, 18:36.49) and Yarmouth’s Anneka Murrin (third, 18:36.83) excelled. Greely produced the fourth place (Katherine Leggat-Barr, 18:37.74) and fifth place (Carolyn Todd, 18:45.94) finishers. Olivia Skillings led MCW with a 33rd-place showing (20:13.09). NYA didn’t score as a team, but Megan Alberding had the 75th-fastest time (20:55.08).

Freeport, along with Traip, Waynflete and Wells, ran at York last weekend. In the boys’ race, the Falcons were second, as Yacob Olins came in sixth in 16:22. On the girls’ side, Freeport came in fourth, as Lily Horne led the way individually with a third-place finish (19:36). 

This weekend, in the regular season finale, Falmouth and Freeport join Gray-New Gloucester and Waynflete at Greely, NYA joins Kennebunk, Old Orchard Beach, Traip Academy, Wells and York at Cape Elizabeth and Yarmouth, along with Fryeburg Academy, Lake Region, Sacopee Valley and St. Dom’s, runs at Poland.

Golf

The golf regular season has concluded and the team state match is Saturday at Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro.

The SMAA qualifier was held Monday where Falmouth and Greely both made the cut. The Rangers were first with a team score of 312, four strokes better than Cheverus. The Yachtsmen (327) came in fifth and six teams earned state berths.

The WMC qualifier was contested Tuesday. Yarmouth earned an automatic berth by beating York, 5-2, in the conference semifinals. The Clippers met undefeated, defending Class B champion Cape Elizabeth in the conference final.

In the girls’ state qualifier, held last week, Greely’s Erin Holmes and Rachel Smith both stole the show by shooting a 77 to easily make the cut. Greely’s Jenna Pavis (84), Greely’s Isabella Perry (98), Yarmouth’s Celia Clarke (107) and Freeport’s Molly Whelan (110) also qualified for the girls’ singles championship match Saturday, Oct. 15 at Natanis.

Falmouth finished the regular season 8-2 after beating Portland (10.5-2.5) and South Portland (12-1).

Greely also wound up 8-2 after a 10-3 loss to Thornton Academy and a 7-6 victory over Gorham.

Yarmouth closed with a 10-1 record after a 7-0 loss to Cape Elizabeth.

Freeport wound up 3-6 after closing with a 4-3 win over Poland.

NYA went 5-3 in the regular season.

Sun Journal staff writer Wil Kramlich and Bangor Daily News staff writer Ryan McLaughlin contributed to this story.

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @foresports.

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