BOYS’ SOCCER

Coach: Mike Hagerty (26th year, 314-59-46 overall record, 11 state championships)

2021 record: 17-0-2 (Beat Winslow, 3-0, to win second consecutive Class B state title)

Top returning players: Liam Hickey (Senior), Truman Peters (Senior), Owen Redfield (Senior), Stevie Walsh (Senior), Jonny Fulton (Junior), Adam McLaughlin (Junior)

Pivotal games: Sept. 3 CAPE ELIZABETH, Sept. 7 @ Freeport, Sept. 14 @ Greely, Oct. 4 @ Cape Elizabeth, Oct. 8 FREEPORT, Oct. 15 GREELY, Oct. 18 @ Waynflete

Coach’s comment: “I’m super-optimistic. The kids are looking fantastic. This year’s group is getting their chance and making the most of it. We’re further along than I thought we’d be. We have depth I didn’t know we’d have. We’ll go 16, 17, 18 deep. We have versatile, multi-sport athletes. Steve (Fulton) was a game-changer, but we’re improved at every other position. We have a great schedule. We don’t expect to go undefeated. We love getting everyone’s best shot.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Yarmouth has long established itself as the Class B gold standard, a model of dominance and excellence that is highly esteemed at the state, regional and even national level (the team is ranked 15th nationally and second in New England in preseason polls). The Clippers received a couple of playoff scares a year ago, but, as champions do, found a way to survive and advance, then secured their state-record 14th all-time championship with relative ease. As always, graduation took its toll, as Steve Fulton, Yarmouth’s Forecaster Fall Athlete of the Year, Maine’s Gatorade Player of the Year and an All-American, has departed, along with fellow all-star Kevin Kamm and several other key contributors, but Yarmouth remains loaded and while there are some serious challengers in the region, the Clippers, based in part on winning an invitational tourney in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, as well as the Northern New England Challenge Cup this summer, suggest that they have what it takes to play into November yet again.

Peters is a top returner. He was an all-conference and Class B South all-region selection a year ago and will be a scoring threat whether he’s up top or in the midfield. The midfield also features McLaughlin (a second-team league all-star in 2021) and Walsh, aka “Stevie Wonder” for his big-game heroics in soccer and basketball. The defense is anchored by Jonny Fulton, Redfield and Hickey (who will also take free kicks and is exceptional at placing long throws into dangerous areas). We’re just getting started, as an abundance of newcomers/players who saw limited time in 2021 are primed to make their mark. Junior Zach Turkel might wind up the team’s leading scorer when all is said and done. He’s up top with juniors Justin Dawes (who will also see time at back) and Zach Kelly and sophomore Zacharias Binda. Senior Cornelius Walsh and sophomore Luis Cardoso will make their mark in the midfield. Senior Wyatt Anderson (who is poised to make quite an impact) and juniors Ben Flowerdew, Matt Gautreau and Sam Lowenstein make an already solid defensive unit even stronger. Replacing Cole Snyder in goal will be junior Ian O’Connor, with help from sophomore Will Raymond.

The Clippers have an abundance of riches and all of the above will help the cause. Rest assured that Cape Elizabeth, Freeport, Greely and York want nothing more than to end Yarmouth’s reign, but wanting to do so and actually being able to do so are starkly different. The Clippers might have a new look, but the end result will likely be the same, a celebratory mass of humanity gathering around a shiny, golden trophy.

GIRLS’ SOCCER

Coach: Andy Higgins (fourth year, 34-8-2 overall record)

2021 record: 15-2-1 (Lost, 3-0, to eventual state champion Cape Elizabeth in Class B South Final)

Top returning players: Ava Feeley (Senior), Macy Gilroy (Senior), Grace Lestage (Senior), Kate Sahagian (Senior), Nori Schneider (Senior), Sara Wentzell (Senior), Kadin Davoren (Junior), Aine Powers (Junior), Neena Panozzo (Junior), Regan Sullivan (Junior), Taylor Oranellas (Sophomore)

Pivotal games: Sept. 3 @ Cape Elizabeth, Sept. 6 FREEPORT, Sept. 13 GREELY, Oct. 3 CAPE ELIZABETH, Oct. 7 @ Freeport, Oct. 15 @ Greely

Coach’s comment: “The kids are hungry. They’re really dedicated and motivated. We still have some things to figure out, but they’re dialed in. We have nice depth all over the field. We have to be prepared to have other girls step up when teams focus on Ava. These girls have been in a lot of big games in a lot of sports and hopefully that will give them confidence in the tight games we’re going to have. On paper, we might be the favorite, but we’ll take it one day at a time.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Yarmouth is the only team to beat Cape Elizabeth during its three-year championship run, but unfortunately for the Clippers, those victories have come during the regular season and they’ve had no answer for the Capers in the playoffs. There are signs that things could be different this fall, however, as graduation has brought Cape Elizabeth back to pack and while Yarmouth has a huge hole to fill after the departure of All-Conference and Class B South all-region standout Katelyn D’Appolonia (who is now playing lacrosse at the University of Colorado), there is an abundance of depth and talent that could all add up to a title winner.

This year’s squad is paced by Feeley, who will play next year at Boston College. Feeley, a first-team All-Conference and all-region selection a year ago, has a cannon of a leg, can bury shots from anywhere and seems to come up biggest in clutch spots. She’s going to play in the midfield and up top and will take a lot of free kicks. Opposing defenses will try to slow her down, but Feeley will have ample help putting the ball in the net. Lestage, an all-star last season, Powers (the lacrosse standout) and juniors Sonja Bell and Brooke Boone will also be heard from up top. Other midfielders to watch include the dynamic Davoren (All-Conference and all-region last fall), Gilroy and Oranellas. On defense, Panozzo, Sahagian (who will also see time in the midfield), Schenider and Wentzell have experience. They’re joined by junior Cate King and sophomore Eleanor Ting. Sullivan returns in goal. Senior Eden Young will also see time.

It all adds up to a potential powerhouse. The Clippers will get to measure themselves twice against not only Cape Elizabeth, but against Freeport, Greely and York as well, so this squad will be ready for the postseason gauntlet when it arrives. After some close calls, Yarmouth is poised to win its first title in five years if all the pieces fall into place.

FOOTBALL

Coach: Jim Hartman (third year, 5-12 overall record)

2021 record: 1-7 (Lost, 52-12, to Spruce Mountain in Eight-man large North Division state quarterfinals)

Top returning players: Asa Jordan (Senior), Spencer LaBrecque (Senior), Kai Sullivan (Senior), Rufus MacVane (Junior), Michael McGonagle (Junior), Wyatt Gawtry (Sophomore)

Pivotal games: Oct. 7 @ Greely, Oct. 21 @ Mt. Ararat

Coach’s comment: “We’re certainly better than last year. We were competitive last year, but we were young and we ran out of gas. I think we should be competitive this season. For me, the Gold Ball is always the goal.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Yarmouth will be a co-op team with North Yarmouth Academy this season and should be vastly improved from the squad that one just once in 2021. The Clippers’ season was short-circuited early in an Opening Day loss at Cheverus when junior quarterback Sam Bradford was injured. The tone was set and the squad never fully recovered.

Bradford, now a senior, is back under center this season and he’ll be handing the ball often to LaBrecque, who will be a wrecking ball, perhaps one of the best players at the Eight-man level. MacVane and McGonagle will see their share of carries as well. Sullivan, a three-year starter, is playing tight end. Junior Trent Richards will see time there as well. The line features Gawtry and Jordan, along with junior Eddie Kim. Bradford will also punt, while LaBrecque will be the placekicker.

On defense, the line features Jordan, Kim, LaBrecque and McGonagle. Gawtry and MacVane are top linebackers. The secondary features Sullivan.

Yarmouth will be much better equipped to stay in games the whole way and to earn some victories. This should be a turn-around season for the Clippers, who could be in line for a playoff run if all goes well.

FIELD HOCKEY

Coach: Molly Saunders (third year, 14-9-2 overall record)

2021 results: 9-5-2 (Lost, 4-0, to Cape Elizabeth in Class B South semifinals)

Top returning players: Aubrey Collier (Junior), Colleen Lynch (Junior), Sophie Smith (Junior)

Pivotal games: Sept. 6 @ Freeport, Sept. 9 GREELY, Sept. 19 @ Cape Elizabeth, Sept. 22 @ York, Oct. 10 FREEPORT, Oct. 18 @ Greely

Coach’s comment: “This year we don’t have any seniors, which makes us a very young varsity team. We are looking to rebuild our structure. One thing we have to look forward to is we won’t be losing anyone next year, so it can only improve from here. As a coach, I’m just excited for another great fall season being out there on the pitch with all of these amazing girls.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Yarmouth has been to the semifinals or better in five of the past eight seasons and while this year’s team is young, there is hope for steady improvement and another deep playoff run.

Smith, a second-team league all-star last fall, was the team’s top scorer in 2021 and will be a top threat again. Lynch is a captain who will anchor the midfield. Collier is a top defender. Replacing all-state goalie Cassie Walsh will be a tall task. Junior Quincy Schnee, the junior varsity goalie the past two seasons, will step in. The Clippers have some promising younger players ready to make their mark as well.

Yarmouth won’t have many easy games and might have some speed bumps early in the season, but the Clippers will find themselves in position to shock some teams once the playoffs arrive.

VOLLEYBALL

Coach: Jim Senecal (15th year, 166-58 overall record, six state championships)

2021 record: 17-0 (Beat Cape Elizabeth, 3-2, to win third consecutive Class B state title)

Top returning players: Dorcas Bolese (Senior), Brianna Torres (Senior), Annie Vinnakota (Junior)

Pivotal matches: Sept. 2 @ Falmouth, Sept. 8 @ Cape Elizabeth, Sept. 10 GREELY, Sept. 22 SCARBOROUGH, Oct. 3 FALMOUTH, Oct. 7 CAPE ELIZABETH

Coach’s comment: “We graduated 10 players from last year’s team and we will be looking for several new players to step in and contribute right away. Having won state titles the last three seasons puts a target on our backs for sure. So far, I have been pleased with how the players have come together. Sure it’s a new team, but we do return three starters from last year’s team and a lot of very talented underclassmen. We’ll fight for every point and I would not be surprised if we were able to contend once again this year.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Yarmouth has become a model of volleyball excellence and last year went undefeated for the first time, rallying past rival Cape Elizabeth in five games in a state match for the ages to make it three championships in a row. Graduation hit the program hard, most notably the loss of superstar setter/Maine Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year/Forecaster Fall Athlete of the Year Sophie Dickson, but the Clippers are poised to reload and while it might not be a perfect season, it could wind up being memorable nonetheless.

Torres is a captain, who will be a standout on the defensive end as well as a top server (she was on the line to close out the state match and had 24 aces, as well as 60 digs last fall). Vinnakota became a star in the state match last season, helping push Yarmouth over the top. This season, Vinnakota (who had 87 kills and 53 digs a year ago) will move from middle hitter to outside hitter and will use her jumping ability and power to score an abundance of points. Bolese also saw ample time in 2021. Bolese, who stands 6-feet, will be a middle hitter. She had 40 kills last season and her blocking ability will be crucial during the course of the season. Junior Alla Elhai was poised to replace Dickson at setter, but is sidelined to start the year with an injury. The hope is she’ll return to help the cause. Sophomores Laila Brewer and Norah Lushman will fill that role for the time being. Senior Samantha Beaudoin should play a bigger role as a hitter, while classmate Leila Tati-Pamboo is a blocker to watch. Newcomers of note include freshmen Grace Keaney (a 6-foot-1 middle hitter) and Ella Cameron (defensive specialist), who project to see a lot of playing time right from the get-go. Senior Molly Sullivan and sophomores Madi Beaudoin, Katie Belesca and Lilly Burrows also factor into the mix.

Another coronation won’t come easily, not that it ever does, but Yarmouth has to be viewed as the favorite until and unless someone takes away its title. If the new players get up to speed and live up to potential, the Clippers might once again be the last team standing.

CROSS COUNTRY

Coach: Sarah Carrigan (fifth year)

2021 results:
(Boys) 6th @ Class B state meet
(Girls) 8th @ Class B state meet

Top returners:
(Boys) Josh Leinwand (Senior), Aksel Yeo (Senior), Cam Pernal (Sophomore)
(Girls) Josephine Nicholas (Senior), Madeleine Jones (Sophomore)

Coach’s comment: “This season, we are hoping to rebuild a team that was top-heavy with seniors last year. We are hoping to create a team that enjoys each other’s company and prioritizes having fun while running.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Yarmouth has been a state meet regular in recent seasons and should be competitive again in 2022.

The boys return state meet scorers Leinwand (20th), Pernal (30th) and Yeo (53rd). Seniors Stuart Baybutt and Isaac Pendleton are new and will provide depth. The Clippers have the pieces in place to be strong in the league and make it to states for the seventh consecutive year.

On the girls’ side, Jones returns after placing 18th at states as a freshman. Nicholas (41st) is also back. Juniors Eliza Grimnes, Lauren Keaney and Celia Wood will help the cause as well. Yarmouth hasn’t missed the state meet since 2009 and should make its mark in the postseason again.

GOLF

Coach: David Cousins (third year, one state title)

2021 results: Class B state champions

Top returners: Quinn Federle (Senior), Nate Hagedorn (Senior), Andrew Cheever (Junior), Sebastien Martinez (Junior), David Swift (Junior)

Coach’s comment: “We have high expectations, returning five of our top six golfers from last year’s championship squad. We look to contend again for a title although we realize we’re in a different type of battle this year. In the past two years, we may have snuck up on some teams with some very consistent scoring and that will definitely have to continue. Other teams will be focusing on taking us down so we will have to remain sharp and true to our game and style. If our returning golfers can show year-over-year improvement along with several of the newcomers pushing the veteran golfers while gaining some confidence on their own, we could find ourselves contending again for another state title. My job is to keep them grounded and humble and I am confident they will as they are all good, coachable young adults. They will make YHS proud.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Yarmouth made history a year ago, winning Class B for the first time (by a whopping 16 strokes) and with most of those golfers returning, the Clippers have high hopes of stealing more headlines.

Cheever, a reigning league all-star, is the top returner. He shot a 77 at last year’s state match, good for second in all of Class B. Hagedorn was right on Cheever’s heels last season, shooting a 79 (which placed him fourth). Federle shot 81 at states, while Martinez had a round of 85. Swift (103) didn’t have his score factored in, but he’ll be heard from this season. Senior Will Pattison and juniors Ben Demasco, Aaron Mason and Colter Olson also hope to contribute.

Yarmouth will wear the bulls-eye this season, but it shouldn’t matter. This group knows what it takes to win. Look for a successful regular season from the Clippers, who hope to save their best for the biggest match in October. Once again.

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

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