Last year, Windham was undefeated during the regular season in Class B North and looked like a juggernaut in a region normally characterized by tight races and close, physical contests. In the playoffs, however, the Eagles were tested by Skowhegan in a one-point victory and then by Lawrence in overtime before capturing the regional title.

This year, expect a battle in B North from the opening week.

“I think it’s going to be a dogfight again,” said Windham Coach Matt Perkins. “I think this side is going to be super tough this year.”

Windham was stung by graduation but should be formidable again. Max Arbour, who totaled over 600 receiving yards, returns as one of the region’s best playmakers, along with Alex Yeaton (over 300 receiving yards). Haddon Boyle, who ran for over 900 yards, will be the top back, while Landon Buzulchuck takes over at quarterback.

“We’ve got some real good pieces coming back,” said Perkins, whose son, Tobias, returns at linebacker after ranking second on the team in tackles.

Perkins thinks Skowhegan is the team to beat.

“They’ve got the most guys coming back, very talented,” he said. “Those guys do such a good job. I think they’re going to be the cream of the crop starting off the season.”

Skowhegan returns an explosive offense, led by senior quarterback Adam Savage and a pair of quality wideouts, Quintcey McCray and Tyler Annis, who were first- and second-team all-conference. With first-team pick Hunter McEwen back at linebacker and Kyle and Collin LePage on the line, the River Hawks’ defense is strong as well.

McEwen will also be Skowhegan’s top back. McCray, a starter since his freshman year, and Annis will lead a sturdy secondary.

“We’re going to be very senior-heavy. We have a lot of talented kids that were able to play a lot last year and contribute a great deal,” said River Hawks Coach Ryan Libby. “We’ve got high expectations for sure.”

Lawrence will threaten for the top spot with the return of running back Parker Higgins, arguably B North’s best player and a Fitzpatrick Trophy candidate, and standout tight end and defensive end Lucas Campbell. Cameron Dostie and Hunter Lee are back to anchor the offensive line, and Michael Hamlin takes over at quarterback.

Bolstered by 23 freshmen, Cony saw its turnout climb to 60 players. Among those are new receivers Kam Douin and Parker Sergent, who provide a dose of athleticism to the offense. Jaden Geyer anchors the line and Caden Schleis-Hooyman is an impact player at linebacker. The Rams face a decision at quarterback, as both Davyn Flynn and Dom Napolitano got experience and impressed last fall.

Brewer is a candidate for a breakout season after going 1-8, with a first-team all-conference running back returning in Cameron Hughes and key pieces in linebacker/running back Jackson Gross, tight end/defensive end Aiden Davis and receiver/defensive back Evan Nadeau.

Falmouth, which went 3-4 as a co-op with Greely last fall, will be solo this year. The Navigators return all-conference guard Rocco Mancini and a second-team receiver in Finn Caxton-Smith. Quarterback Peyton Mitchell is a transfer from Cheverus. Six-foot, 290-pound junior Will Gale could become an impact player at tackle.

Messalonskee went 3-6 after back-to-back winless seasons and will look to continue the upward trend behind an offense led by running back Bryce Crowell and a defense led by ball-hawking safety Garrett Card, who led B North in interceptions. Brunswick, whose season was cut short last year in the wake of an investigation into alleged hazing, has a roster in the low 20s but will try to rebound under Coach Brandon Dorsett, who coached at Westbrook last year.

Gardiner returns to B North after playing in C South last year. With starters back in quarterback Wyatt Chadwick, running back Colton Dube, receiver Cole Brann, linebacker Evan Michaud and lineman Drake Ahearn, the Tigers have hopes of making the playoffs. Mt. Blue went 1-6 last year while dealing with injuries and inexperience, but with 22 starters and a returning quarterback in Jayden Meader, the Cougars could threaten for a playoff spot.

CLASS B SOUTH

As Portland Coach Jason McLeod put it, until somebody “knocks the big dog off,” Class B South is ruled by Marshwood, winners of four straight Class B state championships and six in the last seven seasons.

“Obviously we went undefeated last season and then we got our butts handed to us in the playoffs against them,” McLeod said, referring to the Hawks’ 35-0 win in the regional final. “You’ve got to be able to beat them in November. They’ve got the best coach in the league and arguably the best coach in the state.”

Marshwood Coach Alex Rotsko thinks this year’s Hawks are “probably a little more balanced and I would like to think our offensive line is improved.”

Marshwood has to replace quarterback Aidan Sullivan and Varsity Maine All-State selections Cam Cornett and fullback Andrew Goodwin. But the Hawks have three starters back in the offensive line in center Riley Parnham (also a top defensive lineman), guard Will Anderson and tackle Riley St. Pierre. Who will play quarterback is still a question. Rotsko is confident brothers Ty and Kevin Cougler, returning senior two-way starters, and junior Emmanuel Poe will be effective runners. Kevin Cougler moves into the fullback position.

Portland graduated 14 players but is still an experienced group. Several seniors started as freshmen in 2019. Andrew Brenner, a physical linebacker/running back returning from a broken leg in 2021, receiver/defensive back Kennedy Charles, two-way lineman Gavin Bennett and 6-foot-3 quarterback Sam Esposito are the senior captains. The offensive line is big. Bennett, Xander Smith (a top defensive lineman as well), junior Isaak Alkafaji and sophomore Colin Kelly (a transfer from Cheverus) are each 6-5 and weigh between 235 and 265 pounds. Charles, Reegan Buck and Harry Rubin are offensive threats.

Kennebunk has been the one Class B team able to consistently compete with – and beat – Marshwood during its championship run. Coach Joe Rafferty, now in his 44th year, expects the Rams to be a factor again. Jack Cornell, a senior, takes over at quarterback. He’ll look to spread the ball to senior 6-5 tight end/defensive end Jacob Morris, sophomore wide receiver/free safety Max Andrews, and speedy senior running back/linebacker Jack Cataldi. Two-way returning starter John Ogden and senior center Peyton Blanchard lead the linemen.

Kennebunk, which has a roster of 65-70 players, will play its home games at Biddeford’s Waterhouse Field on Saturdays while construction of a new artificial surface field continues.

South Portland went 6-2 in 2019 and 4-4 in 2021 in its two regular seasons under Coach Aaron Filieo after the Red Riots – along with Portland, Massabesic and Deering – shifted from Class A to B South. The Red Riots are looking to go deeper in the playoffs behind dual-threat quarterback Jaelen Jackson, tight end/linebackers Nolan Hobbs and Josh Sparacio, running back/defensive back Johnny Poole and two-way lineman Paul Magaya.

Noble went 6-2 in the regular season and beat South Portland in the playoffs last year, but graduated 17 seniors and has no returning starters on its 65-player roster. The Knights will go with Tommy Gagnon at quarterback, one of several sophomores expected to start. Look for Jamier Rose to be an offensive threat and seniors Aidan O’Connor and Devin Place to get the carries behind an untested line.

Massabesic, 2-7 a year ago, return starters in 18 spots, including dynamic senior quarterback Collin Scully. Massabesic has shifted its offense to a power ground game that will feature Austin Scribner. Second-year coach Lucas Labbe thinks his defense will be stout behind linebacker Ethan Massey, nose guard Caleb Waters, end Preston Steeves and nose guard/linebacker Dom Bubar.

Gorham, 3-5 a year ago, has picked up some of the school’s top athletes from other sports. The Rams return leading rusher Cody Sellick and senior linemen Ian Connors and Hayden Battaglia. Junior quarterback Isaac Young has four tall wide receiver targets with ball skills.

Biddeford (1-8 in 2021) is looking to be more efficient with second-year coach Steve Allosso’s fast-paced spread offense. Ivan Ramos (RB/LB) is a physical two-way player. Seniors Patrick Driscoll (QB), Colin Gregoire (H-back/safety) and Brycen Wolfahrt (WR/LB) are also key returning starters.

CLASS A

Defending champion Thornton Academy returns only two offensive starters and four on defense from its 11-0 team. Varsity Maine All-State defensive back/return man Isaiah Jones has transferred to Dutch Fork High in South Carolina. All-conference center Brent Paulin and 1,000-yard rusher Hayden Whitney are the starters back on offense. Caden True, a junior, will be the quarterback and punter and will play safety. Jack Brochu (DT/OT), linebackers Tommy Johnson and Harry Bunce and cornerback Henry Lausier are the returnees on defense.

“We’ve got some talented kids, it’s just there were very talented kids ahead of them and they’ve kind of bided their time,” said Thornton Coach Kevin Kezal.

Class A runner-up Oxford Hills is primed to return to the state championship game behind senior quarterback Eli Soehren, the Maine Gatorade Player of the Year in 2021. The Vikings’ 14 seniors are talented, athletic and competitive. Tight end Lincoln Merrill and receivers Tanner Bickford and junior Teigan Pelletier will present problems in coverage, and Trey Morrison returns at running back. Zach Louvat was a second-team all-Class A pick as both an offensive and defensive lineman.

“We have quite a bit of talent returning and the new ones are pretty good as well. Our expectations are to compete in that state championship game again,” said Oxford Hills Coach Mark Soehren.

Bonny Eagle has a 35-man varsity roster (not counting 26 freshmen) and only a handful of returning starters. Coach Kevin Cooper is high on senior quarterback Cam Marcello, who directed the Scots to wins last year against Scarborough and Kennebunk when 2021 starter Terrell Edwards was injured. Edwards is not on the team this year. Trevor Perkins is a returning starter at cornerback and will be the lead running back. Captains Nick Riker and Brody Ernst head an all-new offensive line.

If Scarborough picks up a couple of wins in its first three games against Thornton, Bonny Eagle and Marshwood, it will be right in the mix. Griffin Denbow returns as the top running back. Charlie Murray, who intercepted seven passes in 2021, and tight end Timmy Crockett are receiving threats. Quarterback is still a battle between seniors Keegan Weed and DJ Alston.

Sanford wants to be a power running team with big backs Jordan Bissonnette (6-1, 220), Cam Suhy (6-1, 227) and LJ McFarland behind a big line that includes junior Tucker Walker (6-3, 310) and PJ White (6-3, 285) and senior Cam Penney (6-0, 280). If the Spartans avoid injuries, especially on the line, they can contend for a top-four position.

After a much-improved 7-1 regular season, Bangor will probably take a step back after graduating a strong senior class and having 6-7 receiver Landon Clark, a top basketball prospect, transfer to St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire.

New coaches take over at Lewiston and Edward Little. Jason Versey, a starter on Lewiston’s last championship team in 1987, believes his 71-player roster has made the commitments to offseason conditioning and that the Blue Devils will be more competitive.

At Edward Little, former Bridgton Academy assistant Rick Kramer has six offensive and seven defensive starters back from a winless squad. The Red Eddies’ first three opponents (Messalonskee, Brewer, Spaulding of Rochester, New Hampshire) won four games combined in 2021.

CLASS C SOUTH

This seven-team division is arguably the most competitive among the 11-man football regions, with two teams that won championships in 2021 and three others that have won or played in a state title game in the past three seasons.

Defending state champion Cape Elizabeth returns six starters on both sides, including Varsity Maine All-State receiver/safety/return specialist Nick Laughlin, a Fitzpatrick Trophy candidate. Rugged Mike Foley, a strong-armed junior, takes over at quarterback after starting at center. Senior captains Luke Mello (TE/OLB), Owen Tighe (TE/DE) and James Rickman (RB/DE), junior Ceroi Mello (RB/SS), and linemen Jake Liess and Brendan Guthrie are also back. Cape’s weakness is depth, with a roster of less than 30 players.

Leavitt, the 2019 state champ and last year’s regional runner-up, has a 62 players overall and seven starters back on both sides. Noah Carpenter is expected to be one of the top quarterbacks in the state. Speedy slot Dayton Calder, who led the team in touchdowns last season, 6-4 tight end Brett Coburn, and rangy receivers Sawyer Hathaway (6-3) and Nick Morin are returning threats. Beau Mayo and Jace Negley are returning linemen. Coburn is a disruptive force at defensive end. Calder, Carpenter and the 6-5 Morin return to the secondary.

Cheverus is the new kid on the block, back in 11-man football after rolling to the 2021 eight-man Large School title. The Stags’ line is untested, with Sawyer Merrill the only returning starter, but seniors Rilan Smith and Matt Fogg are two quality backs, and Gio St. Onge at quarterback brings a competitive edge.

Wells (2016 Class C and 2017-18 Class D champions) has 54 players, with six starters back on both sides. Coach Tim Roche “loves” his backfield, led by Michael Lewinski and junior Conner Whitten. Lewinski is also a weapon in the kicking game and a tough block at defensive end.

York has one of the state’s premier two-way linemen in 6-foot, 260-pound Matt Charpentier but is replacing most of its skill position players. Senior brothers Jake (WR) and Sam (RB) Fogg and junior receivers Brady Higgins and Ben Brown will be top options for new quarterback Gavin Davis.

Fryeburg Academy (2018 Class C runner-up) is known for its tough defense and has two proven offensive threats in running back Haden Fox and junior Gunnar Saunders, a returning starter at quarterback who may also line up at running back and receiver. Gabe McKenney and Will Hallam anchor the offensive line.

Expect Westbrook to improve under first-year coach Sam Johnson, with talented veterans like speedy receiver/return man Steven White, physical 6-1, 225-pound tight end/defensive end Damen Chandler and more experience on the offensive line.

CLASS C NORTH

Winslow won this region last year, but Black Raiders Coach Wes Littlefield said another team is leading the way in the preseason.

“Hermon is going to be the team to beat, I think, in our league,” he said. “They’re bringing back pretty much everyone from last year except for a couple of kids.”

The Hawks went 4-4 but made it to the regional final. With 10 starters back on both sides of the ball, including quarterback Johnny Kokoska, running back Gary Glidden, linemen Hunter Kenna and Jaykob Dow and receiver Chasen Flanders, Hermon will be a team with experience and speed.

“(We’ll) play with confidence every down,” Coach Kyle Gallant said. “The ‘we are young’ excuse won’t work this season.”

Medomak Valley, which was the region’s top seed last year, returns running back/linebacker Hayden Staples and linemen Connor Light and Marshall Addy and should be a contender for first place again. Oceanside and Winslow, which brings back one of the region’s best offensive players in running back Matt Quirion as well as linebacker Pedro Garcia and lineman Jaxen Wiegand, should find themselves in the top half of the league as well.

“The defensive backfield from last year is pretty much intact,” Littlefield said. “We’ve put together a fairly nice backfield, both offensively and defensively.”

Nokomis, led by returning quarterback Grady Hartsgrove, receiver Madden White and running back Isaiah Morin, and MCI, with quarterback Max Bottenfield and receiver Braydon Fitts, will look to be competitive again after struggling last season.

CLASS D

Trying to overtake a team coming off an undefeated season and state championship is hard enough. When that team has all but three starters back, as is the case at Foxcroft Academy, it’s even tougher.

“Bringing back that many kids is a huge bonus,” said Coach Danny White, whose team went 11-0 in winning its first state title since 2012. “We bring back a really experienced group that played a lot of football last year.”

The Ponies will be formidable up front with four starting linemen back and also boasts a top-notch collection of skill players, led by receiver Caden Crocker, whom White called “arguably the best player in Northern Maine,” and running back Jesse Drury. There will be a new quarterback, however, as Wyatt Rayfield takes over for record-setter Austin Seavey.

“I think he’s poised to have a really good season,” White said, “and take advantage of the weapons that we have.”

Winthrop/Monmouth/Hall-Dale, Foxcroft’s opponent in the Class D final last fall, should contend again. Dom Trott is back after leading the team in tackles at linebacker and rushing for 855 yards and 16 touchdowns. Skill players Robby Feeney, Nick Keezer and Brayden Stubbert will lead a potent offense, and there are eight starters back on defense.

“We’re one of the fastest teams in the division,” said Coach Dave St. Hilaire. “We can have a couple of different groups that are very, very talented.”

There are challengers beyond those two teams. Freeport was strong at 6-3 last year and returns Class D all-stars in running back/safety Jordan Knighton and quarterback Aiden Heath, along with running back/linebacker Nick White and lineman Cort Lefebvre.

“We have to use our team speed and athleticism on both sides of the ball,” Coach Paul St. Pierre said. “We’re undersized, but have experience.”

Lisbon, led by all-stars Colby Levasseur at running back/linebacker and Canaan Cameron at tight end/defense line, projects to be a top four team in the region. Quarterback/safety Jimmy Fitzsimmons returns for the Greyhounds. Oak Hill, Madison, Poland and John Bapst will look to surprise people. John Bapst is led by seniors Nolan Mitchell at running back/defensive back and Zane Baker at running back/linebacker.