One sport has already crowned champions and for most of the rest of the local fall athletes, the final week of the regular season is here.

It’s nothing but title-chasing-fun from here on out and here’s a glimpse at where things stand:

Golf

For the first time in a few years, no local teams won a golf state title, but a familiar name took home another individual crown and a pair of area girls excelled as well last weekend at Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro.

At the Class B state match, Freeport junior Eli Spaulding repeated as individual champion by shooting an 18-hole round of 72, good for even par and one stroke ahead of runner-up Jack Quinn of Gardiner. Spaulding shot 68 on the same course as a sophomore. This time, he was the picture of steadiness, making 16 straight pars after an opening bogey on 16 before birdieing the 15th.

“I did feel a little pressure for sure,” said Spaulding. “I knew most eyes were on me, but I knew I just had to stick to my game. Take every shot one shot at a time, because I knew the opportunities were going to come.”

Spaulding knew where he stood going into the 14th, the first of back-to-back par-5s. He hit a shaky approach to rule out a birdie possibility on 14, but chipped to about 5 feet on 15 and made the putt he needed for his winning margin.

“I certainly wanted to make sure I made that one,” Spaulding said of his final putt. “It was right up the hill. Good to finish on birdie. (That) was awesome.”

Spaulding’s teammate Reece Perry also took part as an individual, finishing 47th with a round of 101, but he stole the show with a hole-in-one on the par-3 fourth hole.

Freeport didn’t qualify as a team.

Yarmouth, the reigning Class B team state champion, wound up tying Gardiner for third with a score of 351 (Leavitt was first with a score of 330 and Cape Elizabeth, 344, was runner-up).

The Clippers were paced by Quinn Federle, who tied for 10th with a score of 83, and Sebastien Martinez, who tied for 13th with a score of 85. Andrew Cheever (90) tied for 25th and Nate Hagedorn (93) tied for 31st. David Swift (94) and Will Pattison (109) did not have their scores factored in.

“Usually, you can get by with a kid having an off day and someone steps up,” Yarmouth coach David Cousins said. “We just did not have enough to get it done today.”

In Class A, Greely’s Ruth Weeks was the star, winning the girls’ crown with a score of of 89, one shot better than Thornton Academy’s McKenna Castle.

“It meant a lot, being my senior year, being my last year,” Weeks said. “I was nearly tearing up on the last hole, because it’s just so surreal it’s your last time through. It’s very bittersweet that this is the last one.”

Teammate Karinna Beacham finished sixth with a round of 105.

As a team, the Rangers had a score 338, tying them for seventh with Messalonskee (Brunswick won the title with a score of 312). Greely was led by Landon Werner (82, tie for 22nd). Also scoring were Joe Hansen (84, tie for 28th), Connor Albert (85, tie for 33rd) and Eric Hansen (87, tie for 48th). Will Klein (90) didn’t have his score factored in.

Falmouth had a score of 317 and tied Scarborough for second. The Navigators featured Johnny Hwang, who shot a 76 and tied for fifth. Also scoring were Mitch Ham and Paul Dilworth (79, tied for 16th) and Boden Joyce (83, tied for 25th). Brennan Rumpf (87) and Isaac Laliberte (92) didn’t have their scores factored in. Carley Iannetta (93) placed fourth in the girls’ competition.

In Class C, won by Maranacook, North Yarmouth Academy didn’t qualify as a team, but Maddy Prokopius was second in the girls’ standings with a round of 95, three strokes behind Jillian Plamondon of Maine Central Institute. Nick Pelletier (87) tied for 17th in the overall competition.

Football

On the gridiron, Yarmouth remains undefeated in eight-man large-division play after improving to 6-0 with a 50-20 win at Greely last weekend. It was the first-ever meeting between the programs. Touchdowns from Spencer LaBrecque (1-yard) and Sam Bradford (6-yards) put the Clippers ahead, 12-6, after one quarter. In the second period, McGonagle scored again from 5-yards out, but Yarmouth was only up by eight, 20-12, at the break. The Clippers then put it away with 30 straight points, as Labrecque scored twice (on rushes of 15- and 69-yards) and Bradford (30-yards) and McGonagle (26-yards) added one TD apiece. McGonagle wound up rushing for 341 yards and four touchdowns on 36 carries. LaBrecque gained 109 yards on eight rushes. The Clippers ran for 504 yadrs as a team. Yarmouth looks to improve to 7-0 when it hosts Ellsworth (1-4) Saturday.

Greely dropped to 0-5 with the loss to Yarmouth in its return as a stand-alone varsity program. The Rangers welcome 4-2 Spruce Mountain Friday.

Freeport bounced back from last week’s loss to Fryeburg Academy and improved to 4-2 with a 28-21 win at Winthrop in a playoff rematch last Friday. The Falcons took a 7-0 lead on a 39-yard touchdown pass from Aidan Heath to Max Peters midway through the opening quarter. The Ramblers would respond and cut the deficit to 7-6, but Freeport went on top, 21-6, thanks to a 71-yard TD run by Adam Michaud and a 43-yard scoring pass from Heath to Peters with 26 seconds left in the half.

“Those (touchdown passes from Heath to Peters) were two huge plays by two senior captains,” said Freeport coach Paul St. Pierre. “Aidan and Max have been playing together for a long time and they needed to step up. I told all our seniors they needed to step up and they went out there and executed.”

Freeport scored on the opening possession of the second half as Noah Michaud ran 20 yards for a score to make it 28-6 and the Falcons held on for dear life from there.

Michaud ran the ball six times for 107 yards and Jordan Knighton rushed for 105 yards on 20 carries. Heath completed 4-of-7 passes for 93 yards, two touchdowns and an interception with all four completions going to Peters. The Falcons had four sacks on defense.

“I’m not going to lie, I was a little nervous with how banged-up we were and with how we showed out pretty badly against Fryeburg, but people just stepped it up,” Peters said. “We have to clean up the penalties, but we still played awesome and I’m super happy with the result.”

Freeport has its bye this week, then has another critical game, at home against Foxcroft Academy, Oct. 21.

Falmouth also bounced back from a loss and improved to 4-2 after a 30-7 win at Brewer. After surrendering the game’s first points, the Navigators got on the board on a 40-yard touchdown pass from Finn Caxton-Smith to Lucas Dilworth. Indi Backman’s 80-yard TD scamper put Falmouth ahead for good, 12-7, at the half. Lineman Will Gale then stole the show and helped the Navigators put it away by returning an interception for a score. Backman ran for 140 yards on 10 carries and had a dozen tackles on defense. The Navigators welcome 0-6 Brunswick Thursday.

Boys’ soccer

On the pitch, Falmouth was 6-4-1 and 10th in the Class A South Heal Points standings following wins last week at Biddeford (6-0) and at home over previously undefeated Deering in overtime (3-2). The victory over the Rams was the 500th in the long soccer coaching career of Dave Halligan. Justin Mayo scored early for the Navigators and after Deering pulled even, Ben Pausman converted a penalty kick with eight minutes left to seemingly win it, but the Rams tied it again, sending the game to overtime, where Mason Quiet played the hero with a gorgeous 35-yard free kick.

“This is what we dream of,” Quiet said. “Overtime, against one of the best teams in the league. (Deering) played unbelievable. We knew coming in what we needed to do, we fought the whole game in and in overtime and the result came at the end. It was awesome.”

“This is special because these guys have been struggling,” Halligan said. “I didn’t want anyone to know about (500) because it’s about them, not about me. It’s their win tonight. I didn’t score a single goal. We’ve always stressed team-first and the rest takes care of itself. We’ve got a good program. The coaching staff. The youth program. People are excited about soccer here. We’ve had ups and downs, but we strive to have more ups than downs.”

Falmouth hosts Portland in a pivotal contest Wednesday (see pressherald.com/forecaster/forecaster-sports/ for game story), welcomes reigning Class A champion Marshwood in a playoff rematch Saturday and closes the regular season at Kennebunk Monday.

“We need to get a little better each day,” Halligan said. “There’s no magic, no secrets, we just have to go out and work. We’d rather have these types of games going into the tournament. I think anybody can win this year. There’s a lot of good teams, but I’m pleased with where we are. We can compete.”

In Class B, two-time reigning state champion Yarmouth was 8-1-2 and third in the Heals following a 3-0 loss at Cape Elizabeth and a 1-1 home tie versus Freeport last week. The loss to the Capers snapped a 31-game unbeaten streak.

“Overall, what a great soccer game,” longtime Clippers coach Mike Hagerty said. “Pretty even. I don’t think we played badly. Our effort was pretty good, but we just couldn’t score. I thought both teams played a very good game and I think it was a pretty even game.”

In the draw, Zack Kelley scored late to salvage a tie and goalkeeper Ian O’Connor made eight saves. Yarmouth went to York Tuesday, hosts Greely Saturday (see pressherald.com/forecaster/forecaster-sports/ for game story) and closes the regular season with a delicious showdown at three-time defending Class C champion Waynflete Tuesday of next week.

“We need to do simple things,” Hagerty said. “We have to be better and clean up our mistakes.”

Freeport was 4-3-4 and fifth in Class B South entering Tuesday’s home game versus Greely (see pressherald.com/forecaster/forecaster-sports/ for game story). Last week, the Falcons beat host York (1-0) and Wells (6-0), then settled for a 1-1 tie at Yarmouth. Alex Graver scored against the Clippers. Freeport is home versus Poland Thursday, then closes at home versus top-ranked Cape Elizabeth Tuesday of next week.

Greely was 6-4-1 and seventh in the region after a 2-1 home loss to Cape Elizabeth Saturday. The Capers won the game in final minute. The Rangers were at Freeport Tuesday, go to Yarmouth Saturday and close at home versus York Tuesday of next week.

Reigning Class D South champion North Yarmouth Academy was 6-5 and fifth in the region following a come-from-behind 2-1 double-overtime home win over Gray-New Gloucester last week. The victory, the Panthers’ fourth in succession, saw Cooper St. Hilaire tie the contest in the 76th minute off a corner kick, then Rodgers Crowley produce the game-winning tally.

“I just took advantage of what I was given and slotted it home,” Crowley said, of his game-winner. “I told my coaches at full time that I’m never going to score, so it was pretty exciting.”

“Never a doubt with these guys,” said Panthers’ first-year coach Branden Noltkamper. “I couldn’t be happier for them. Their work ethic and spirit means they never give up on anything and it showed today.”

NYA was home versus Sacopee Valley Tuesday, goes to St. Dom’s Thursday and finishes up the regular season Tuesday of next week at Traip Academy.

“Momentum has changed for us,” said Noltkamper. “We’re all bought-in. We’re going in the right direction.”

Girls’ soccer

On the girls’ side, Falmouth made it four straight victories and improved to 8-4 and sixth in the Class A South Heal Points standings following a 6-0 home victory over Biddeford, a 4-1 win at Deering and a 3-0 victory at Portland. Against the Bulldogs, Josie D’Andrea scored early and Elise Gearan added two goals.

“That fast start was important,” said Gearan. “We started slowly earlier in the season, so getting a quick goal today was helpful.”

“We’ve been able to score some goals and that’s a huge help,” said first-year coach Ben Johnson. “The girls have worked hard in practice and that’s paid off. ”

The Navigators go to Marshwood Saturday and close the regular season at home versus Windham Tuesday of next week.

“We still have two hard games and we’ll see what we can do,” Johnson said. “We need the Heal Points and hope to be our best for playoffs. We still have a lot to get better at and if we do, we’ll be tough to beat.”

In Class B South, Yarmouth improved to 8-3 and second behind Cape Elizabeth in the standings after last week’s 2-0 victory at Freeport. The Clippers got goals from Aine Powers and Ava Feeley and three saves from goalkeeper Regan Sullivan.

“Our defense is really close on and off the field,” said Sullivan. “Freeport has a strong offense, but our chemistry made the difference.”

“We’ve grown so much from the beginning of the season and I feel really confident that we can do well in the playoffs,” Powers said.

“The defense is getting better every day,” Yarmouth coach Andy Higgins added. “They’re peaking at the right time. Regan has really emerged. She’s gone from being a great shot-stopper to a great goalie to a great leader. You can hear her in the back organizing and encouraging her teammates. She’s a huge piece. I couldn’t be more proud of how she’s competing and leading these girls.”

The Clippers were home with York Tuesday, go to Greely Saturday and close at home versus Wells Tuesday of next week.

“We want to play well going into playoffs,” Higgins said. “We have to dial in and every day get a little better.”

Freeport was 5-5-1 and 10th in Class B South after a 1-1 home tie against York and a 2-0 home loss to Yarmouth. In the draw, Kate Tracy set up Emily Olsen in the 78th minute. The Falcons couldn’t find the net against the Clippers.

“It’s always a tight game with (Yarmouth),” said Freeport coach David Intraversato. “I told the girls before the game that we’d see them again. We’ll see where we made mistakes and we’ll move on.”

The Falcons went to Greely Tuesday (see pressherald.com/forecaster/forecaster-sports/ for game story), welcome Poland Friday and close at home versus three-time reigning Class B champion Cape Elizabeth Tuesday of next week.

Greely fell to 7-3-1 and fourth in Class B South following a 3-0 loss at Cape Elizabeth Friday. The Rangers hosted Freeport Tuesday, welcome Yarmouth Saturday and go to York Tuesday of next week.

NYA, the three-time reigning Class D champion, improved to 10-0 and first in the South Region Heals following last week’s 4-1 win at Gray-New Gloucester. Angel Huntsman scored three times and Ella Giguere also scored a goal. The Panthers, riding a 30-game unbeaten streak, was at Sacopee Valley Tuesday, hosts St. Dom’s Thursday, goes to Waynflete Saturday and is home against Traip Academy Tuesday of next week.

Field hockey

Freeport’s field hockey team was 8-3-1 and third in the Class B South Heals following a 3-0 home win over Greely and a 3-2 double-overtime victory at Yarmouth. Against the Rangers, Ava Gervais, Anna Maschino and Chloe White each scored, while Lizalyn Boudreau had two assists and Emily Groves added one. Groves scored twice against the Clippers, including in overtime, while Gervais also rattled the cage. The Falcons go to Gray-New Gloucester Wednesday and close the regular season at Fryeburg Academy Friday.

Yarmouth was 6-5 and fifth after a 3-0 home win over Lake Region and a 3-2 double-overtime home loss to Freeport. In the victory, Kate Tenhoor, Sophie Smith and Celia Zinman all scored. In the setback, Smith scored both goals. The Clippers are at Fryeburg Academy Wednesday, go to York Saturday and close at Greely Tuesday of next week.

Greely was 1-8-2 and 10th in Class B South following a 3-0 loss at Freeport and a 4-0 home win over Poland. In the victory, Caitie Frost scored two goals, while Daphne Campo and Maya Douglas added one apiece. The Rangers host Wells Wednesday and welcome York Friday, then close at Yarmouth Tuesday of next week.

Falmouth was 5-6-1 and eighth in Class A South entering Tuesday’s game at Marshwood. Last week, the Navigators lost at home to Scarborough (2-0) and settled for a 1-1 home draw versus Sanford. Anna Turgeon had the goal against the Spartans. Falmouth finishes the regular season Friday at home versus Portland/Deering.

Volleyball

Yarmouth’s three-time reigning Class B champion volleyball team improved to 11-1 and first in the Heals following straight-set victories last week over visiting York (25-22, 25-18, 25-14) and visiting Cape Elizabeth in a state rematch (25-22, 25-22, 25-19). Against the Wildcats, Dorcas Bolese and Annie Vinnakota both had nine kills.

“I was definitely expecting a close match,” said senior libero Bri Torres, after the York victory. “At the beginning of the season, we had a lot to work with with younger players moving up from JV to varsity. That’s a big jump, but I feel like they’re filling in nicely. Whatever the challenge, we can rise to the occasion.”

“These matches are nerve-wracking, but to watch the girls rise up and play at the level they played tonight, it was good to see,” said Yarmouth coach Jim Senecal.

In the win over the Capers, Torres had 17 digs and Leila Tati-Pambou added eight kills. The Clippers were at Windham Tuesday and close the regular season at York Thursday.

“There are a lot of good teams, so we’ll see how it goes,” Senecal said. “It would be foolish to say we don’t have a chance, but any team could get us. I like where we are, but we’ll have to come in ready to go.”

Greely was 7-5 and eighth in Class B after a four-set (11-25, 25-23, 17-25, 14-25) loss at Cape Elizabeth and a four-game home loss to Windham. The Rangers were at Westbrook Tuesday and close at home versus Messalonskee Saturday.

Falmouth was 5-7 and seventh in Class A following a straight-set (14-25, 16-25, 21-25) home loss to reigning Class A champion Scarborough and a four-game (25-15, 25-19, 22-25, 25-18) victory at Thornton Academy last week.  Against the Golden Trojans, Victoria Abbott had four aces, 26 digs and 15 kills and Ginevra Marcoccio tallied 11 assists and 11 digs. The Navigators close at Cape Elizabeth Thursday.

NYA was 3-7 and seventh in Class C after a 3-0 loss at Wells and a 3-2 home win over Bucksport last week. The Panthers hosted Lake Region Tuesday, welcome Wells Friday and close at home versus Jonesport-Beals Saturday.

Cross country

On the trails, we’re a little over a week away from the regional championship meet.

Freeport hosted Greely, Wells and York last week. The Rangers girls were first and produced top individual Rowan Barry (21 minutes, 28.9 seconds). The Falcons were second and had the fourth-place individual in Caroline Carter (21:42.7). In the boys’ meet, Freeport was first and was led by top individual Henry Horne (17:05.2). Greely came in second and was paced by Hayden MacArthur (third, 17:33.9).

Falmouth hosted Gorham, Scarborough and Windham. The Navigators girls finished first and were led by Fiona Hanrahan (second, 21:18). The boys were third and featured third-place individual Miles Woodbury (18:40).

Press Herald staff writer Drew Bonifant and Kennebec Journal staff writer Mike Mandell contributed to this story.

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

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