While the fall sports postseason got underway in a triumphant manner in recent days for local golfers (see story), the other sports have made the turn for home in terms of regular season action and a lot of questions remain in regards to who will make the playoffs and where they’ll be seeded.

After another dramatic week, here’s where things stand:

Football

Greely and Falmouth’s football teams earned huge victories last Friday night.

The Rangers, who didn’t win a game in 2022 in their return to stand-alone status, earned their biggest win to date in eight-man football when they held off visiting Yarmouth, the reigning large division state champion, 12-8. Wes Piper broke away for a 51-yard touchdown run to make it 6-0 after one quarter, then he scored on a 6-yard scamper in the second period. Greely didn’t score again, but held Clippers standout Michael McGonagle to 94 yards and behind Jerik Phillips and quarterback Andrew Padgett, ran out the clock on the final 8 minutes, 20 seconds of the game.

“Yarmouth was undefeated, so this means a lot that we came out here and played our best football,” Piper said. “It was a special night, for the seniors especially.”

“It’s crazy, my adrenaline is pumping,” said Padgett. “We needed a home win and we got it done. This is a complete game-changer for us. We’re in it and we’re going for a Gold Ball. Last year was our rebuilding season and this year, we’re underrated. People sleep on us and it gives us an advantage.”

“(Yarmouth) beat us bad last year, so it feels amazing tonight,” defensive standout Brayden Van Pembrook said. “For our second year of football to beat an undefeated team is big. It shows new Greely football and it shows we’re here.”

“This means everything to the guys,” added Greely coach Caleb King. “They work super-hard and we push them every day. They’re a deserving group. We went 0-7 last year and everybody came back. Nobody quit. This team doesn’t have any quit in them and it shows. I’m really proud of them.”

The Rangers (3-3 and third in the eight-man large Crabtree Points standings) close the regular season at Gray-New Gloucester (1-5) Friday.

“We won’t take this win for granted,’ Padgett said. “Gray’s a solid team. We won’t underestimate them. We want to win out and get into the number two spot so we can get a bye and hopefully a home playoff game.”

“We just have to keep our foot on the pedal 100 percent,” said Piper.

“I full-heartedly believe in our team,” Van Pembrook said.

“Hopefully there’s more to come,” King added. “Since week one, we’ve talked about keeping our foot on the gas. We can’t let up or assume we’re better than anybody. We just have to play our game and we’ll be fine.”

Yarmouth got a 2-yard touchdown run from McGonagle but suffered its first loss in six games, as it turned the ball over once and committed seven penalties for 65 yards.

“It’s a tough loss,” Clippers coach Jim Hartman lamented. “We played extremely well. I’m proud of the boys. I thought we were going to pull it out, but we just didn’t get the ball back. We’ve been there. That’s usually us (running out the clock).

“We had a rough week with injuries. We had to replace three offensive players today. We had to switch things around. No excuses, Greely played a hell of a game. We did a great job defensively and Sam(Bradford)  had a good game throwing, but we had three touchdown passes that were dropped or called back. We had stupid penalties we didn’t need to have.”

Falmouth earned its first win in six games, holding off visiting Mt. Blue, 21-12, last Friday. After a scoreless first quarter, Indi Backman scored on a 31-yard touchdown run and after the Cougars tied the score on a fake punt, Backman’s 14-yard TD run gave the Navigators a 13-6 halftime lead. After Mt. Blue crept back within a point, Tres Walker’s 1-yard touchdown run and Backman’s conversion rush accounted for final score. Falmouth, which is ineligible for postseason play following a forfeit loss to Portland earlier this season, hosts Cony (3-3) Friday.

Freeport fell to 2-4 with its fourth straight setback, 46-0, to visiting Oceanside. The Falcons (fourth in Class D South) next face the daunting task of going to 6-0 Foxcroft Academy Friday.

Boys’ soccer

All five boys’ soccer teams appear playoff-bound as the final week of the regular season dawns.

In Class B South, three-time reigning state champion Yarmouth is likely bound for the top seed again after improving to 10-1 with a 6-0 home victory over North Yarmouth Academy, its 10th in a row, last Tuesday. Gideon Ahrens, Luis Cardoso, Adam McLaughlin, Mihailo Medenica, Will Redfield and Zach Turkel all scored. The Clippers went to Freeport Tuesday (see our website for game story), visit York Thursday, then close at home versus Cape Elizabeth Monday.

Greely was 7-3-1 and third in the region following a last-minute 2-1 loss at York and a 4-1 home win over Cape Elizabeth last week. In the victory, Bez Mendelsohn scored twice on penalty kicks and Aaron Park and Owen Piesik also found the net.

“We practiced hard all week,” Park said. “We lost to York Tuesday, so we were looking to bounce back. We were disappointed with that loss. We knew this game would be super-important.”

“Cape is just loaded,” said Mike Andreasen, the Rangers’ longtime coach. “This was big for seeding. It was nice to bounce back because we want to be an elite team and elite teams don’t take games off. We have to be consistent.”

Greely was at Gray-New Gloucester Tuesday, host undefeated Class C South power Mt. Abram Friday and close at Wells Tuesday of next week.

“We have to work on little things in practice and make sure those things convert into games,” Mendelsohn said. “I like our chances.”

“No matter what the score is, we have to keep the same intensity,” said Park. “We have to bring it in practice every single day. We know what we can do if we play our game.”

“We need consistent scoring,” Andreasen added. “We have to make sure our depth can help us. We’re in better position than usual. Better than last year. Mt. Abram will be big for us because they’re undefeated. We could win out and if we do, I hope we finish 2 or 3. I do think the top two teams are Yarmouth and Cape. They were last year and they probably are this year. The fact we beat them both once shows we’re right there.”

Freeport was 6-3-3 and fourth in Class B South after beating host Waynflete (1-0) and falling at York (2-1). Garrett Ritcheson scored the lone goal in the victory. The Falcons hosted Yarmouth Tuesday and close at Cape Elizabeth Thursday.

In Class A South, Falmouth was 5-4-2 and seventh following a 3-1 loss at Kennebunk and a 5-0 victory at Cheverus. Mikey Christman had the lone goal against the Rams and scored three times in the win over the Stags. Evan Mayo and Sam Yoon also found the net.

“We have a lack of varsity experience, but we’ve gotten better as the season’s gone on,” Yoon said. “The best games we play are when we have the most fun.”

“I think when we’re working together as a team and stringing together plays and focusing, we can beat any team if we play well,” Christman said. “If we don’t get down on ourselves, we can be a team to be reckoned with.”

“The goal this season was to get a little bit better every day,” added longtime Falmouth coach Dave Halligan, after his 428th career victory. “We’re small and we’re quick. We won’t get into physical games with anybody. If we use our speed and skill, we’ll be in every game.”

The Navigators hosted Noble Tuesday, go to Massabesic Thursday and finish at home versus Sanford next Tuesday.

“We won’t underestimate anybody,” Yoon said.

“Our goal is to win all three games and get clean sheets, so we can go in with some momentum,” said Christman. “We’re hoping to play at home for playoffs at least for the first game.”

“We’re unbeaten at home, so we hope to get at least one home game and we’ll see what happens from there,” Halligan added. “We know anything can happen if we’re ready. It’s like pulling teeth sometimes, but the young kids are coming along. We’re not playing like freshmen and sophomores anymore. They’ve paid their dues. Hopefully, we’ll play our best soccer at the end.”

NYA, the reigning Class D champion, now in Class C South, fell to 3-8 and eighth after losses at Yarmouth (6-0) and Morse (4-2). The Panthers hoped to end a seven-game skid Tuesday at Wells. After hosting Traip Academy Thursday, the Panthers close at home versus four-time Class C champion Waynflete Tuesday of next week.

Girls’ soccer

On the girls’ side, defending state champion Yarmouth was 8-1-1 and a close second to Cape Elizabeth in the Class B South Heals following a 1-1 draw at NYA last week. Taylor Oranellas scored in the sixth minute and the Clippers had ample chances to put the game away, but couldn’t do so and had to settle for the tie.

“We created some chances, but (NYA’s) a good team and they made it difficult for us,” Yarmouth coach Andy Higgins said. “This is a tough place to play and it’s always a battle with our crosstown rival. We had shots, but they were from a little deeper than they needed to be. A lot of balls deflected off someone. It was one of those days that makes this game so amazing and beautiful and frustrating at the same time. It was a good day of soccer here in Yarmouth. The positive is we got some (Heal Points) out of it. We’ll use it to build and move forward.”

The Clippers hosted Freeport Tuesday (see our website for game story), welcome Wells Thursday, play host to York Saturday and close with a pivotal showdown at Cape Elizabeth Tuesday of next week.

“We love our facility and we’d like to be there as long as we can,” Higgins said. “It’s a special place to all of us, but we have some work to do to make that happen.”

Freeport was 7-2-3 and third in Class B South heading into Tuesday’s game at Yarmouth. Last week, the Falcons downed visiting York, 3-1, for their third straight victory. Kenzie Cochran, Sadie Grogan and Silvi Strong all scored while Amanda Panciocco made six saves. Freeport closes with a home game versus Cape Elizabeth Thursday.

Greely fell to 4-5-2 and fifth after recent 2-1 losses at Cape Elizabeth and at home to York. Avery Bush scored against the Capers. The Rangers hoped to snap a three-game skid and a five-game winless streak Tuesday when they hosted Gray-New Gloucester. Greely goes to Hall-Dale Friday and closes at home versus Wells Tuesday of next week.

In Class A South, Falmouth was 8-2-1 and fifth following a 1-1 home tie against Sanford and a 3-0 loss at Thornton Academy. Margo Hesson scored in the draw. Abigail Pausman stopped 10 shots in the setback. The Navigators go to Massabesic Wednesday and to Gorham Friday, then finish the regular season at home Monday versus reigning Class A champion Scarborough.

In Class C South, NYA, the four-time reigning Class D champ which has moved up this fall, was 7-1-3 and first in the Heals following a 1-1 home tie versus Yarmouth and a 2-1 home win over Morse. In the draw, Ella Giguere scored late and Sarah Moore made 16 key saves.

“I’ll take this,” said Panthers coach Ricky Doyon. “(Yarmouth’s) a quality team. That’s one of the better teams around. If we can play like we did today as far as intensity, we’ll get good opportunities and hopefully no more overtimes. Three in a row is enough.”

In the victory over the Shipbuilders, freshmen Natasha Godfrey and Caroline Matusovich scored the goals. NYA goes to Traip Academy Thursday, visits Monmouth Academy Saturday and closes at Waynflete (the lone team to beat the Panthers this season) Tuesday of next week.

“That loss still stings,” Doyon said. “We want to finish strong, We want to be home.”

Field hockey

Yarmouth’s field hockey team suffered its first loss Monday, 1-0, at Edward Little. The Clippers had played host York to a 1-1 draw last week in a game which saw Erica O’Connor score the goal.

“I think it was a full, 60-minute game, plus two eight-minute overtimes, competitive the whole time,” Yarmouth first-year coach Bre Morrill said, of the tie. “We were very happy with how we played.”

Quincy Schnee made 12 saves in the loss to the Red Eddies. Yarmouth (9-1-1 and ranked first in the Class B South Heals) was at Fryeburg Academy Tuesday, goes to Lake Region Thursday and closes the regular season at home versus St. Dom’s Tuesday of next week.

Freeport was 7-3-1 and second in Class B South after snapping a three-game winless streak last Wednesday with a 7-0 home victory over Greely. Liza Flower had three goals, Emily Groves scored twice, while Ellie Foss and Anna Maschino had one goal apiece.

“That first goal was really helpful,” said Flower. “We were on fire after that.”

“I told the girls before this game, ‘It’s time to get our act together. We only have four more games and it’s time to dig deep and start playing our best,’” Falcons coach Marcia Wood said. “We needed a game like this. To play like this was awesome.”

Freeport was at Gray-New Gloucester/NYA Tuesday, goes to Cape Elizabeth Friday, then closes at home versus Fryeburg Academy Monday.

“We hope to finish strong,” said Flower. “Hopefully we can keep this going. We just have to communicate and trust each other. I feel like this team is really close.”

“I want to be (the number two seed),” Wood said. “I think we need to win out. We won’t overlook anyone. I’m just hoping we can finish strong.”

Greely was 5-6 and sixth in Class B South (where eight teams make the playoffs) after a 7-0 loss at Freeport and a 1-0 home win over Cape Elizabeth. Against the Falcons, Mya Vickerson made eight saves.

“It was a similar story in both of our games this year,” said Greely coach Burgess LePage. “Freeport’s speed is unrivaled in our conference. Especially on turf.”

In the win, Lauren Hazard scored the goal, assisted by Julia Brubaker. The Rangers were at Poland Tuesday, host Traip Academy Thursday and finish at home versus Gray-New Gloucester/NYA Monday.

“Making the playoffs is a big goal,” said LePage. “We can’t miss by a millimeter again. I feel really good about our season. We have depth and each player has their own thing they bring to the field to keep momentum going.”

In Class A South, Falmouth was 8-3 and fourth following a 3-0 home win over Bonny Eagle, a 7-0 win at Portland/Deering and a 4-0 home loss to reigning Class A South champion Cheverus. Against the Scots, Elizabeth Brown, Jaelyn Meader and Allie Sweetser all scored once. In the win over Portland/Deering, Brown and Meader both rattled the cage twice, while Lux Dugan, Taylor Lallemand and Valerie Rand added a goal apiece. The Navigators then held the prolific Stags scoreless for three quarters Monday before surrendering four goals in the fourth period. Goalie Adele Gamage impressed with 13 saves for Falmouth, but despite a fabulous effort, the Navigators weren’t able to pull off the upset.

“I’m thrilled with all of it,” said longtime Falmouth coach Robin Haley. “I’m very proud of my team tonight. We just focused on playing our game and what we know we’re capable of doing. This is a very close team. The girls trust each other and they’re willing to work for each other. That made a difference for us.”

The Navigators host Scarborough Wednesday (see our website for game story), visit Thornton Academy Friday and close next Tuesday at Gorham.

“Tonight I think showed our team what they’re capable of and this was a big game, so now we have to regroup and get ready for Scarborough, a very talented team,” Haley said. “We’re capable of doing big things on any given day.”

Volleyball

Yarmouth’s volleyball team, the four-time reigning Class B champion, earned a huge victory last Tuesday, downing visiting Class A power Scarborough in four games (25-21, 21-25, 26-24, 25-14). The match turned late in the third set, when the Clippers trailed, 24-20, but scored six straight points before going on to a decisive win in the fourth game.

“I think our attitude and energy was a huge part of it,” said Drea Rideout, who had eight aces. “We kept it all together. I think we’ve recently really connected as a team. We’ve gotten really close and we’re working hard together and it’s paying off.”

“That was definitely very exciting,” said Yarmouth’s first-year coach Erin Quirk. “It’s a big win for us. I just told them to play our game and not think about who’s on the other side of the net. We just took it one point at a time. This is really good for our confidence.”

The Clippers improved to 6-3 Saturday with their fourth straight victory, 3-2 (25-21, 25-21, 18-25, 22-25, 15-11), over visiting York. Grace Keaney had a dozen kills. Yarmouth (now fifth in Class B) has a busy closing stretch, going to Gray-New Gloucester Tuesday, hosting Wells Thursday, playing at Mt. Desert Island and Ellsworth Saturday, then finishing at rival Cape Elizabeth Tuesday of next week.

“I think we just need to keep the same energy and attitude we had in this game,” said Rideout. “We have to stay humble because this win doesn’t mean everything. We still have to push through.”

“I really like this group,” said Quirk. “I’m really proud of the girls and what they’ve done this year.”

Falmouth was 7-3 and fourth in Class B following a straight set (25-21, 25-15, 25-19) win at Cheverus and a 3-0 loss at Deering last week. The Navigators hosted Gorham in a key match Tuesday, welcome Windham Thursday, then close at Scarborough Monday.

Greely was 7-3 and seventh in Class B (where 13 teams make the postseason) after outlasting visiting Cape Elizabeth in five games (23-25, 25-22, 25-22, 19-25, 15-12) and beating visiting Wells in three sets (25-7, 25-17, 25-19). Against the Capers, Molly Mulligan had seven kills, Annabelle Talley added six kills and Ella Leding had five blocks. In the win over the Warriors, Talley and Alyssa Hilbers had six aces apiece, while Mulligan finished with five kills. The Rangers hosted Lake Region Tuesday, go to Westbrook Thursday, welcome York Saturday, then finish at Gray-New Gloucester Tuesday of next week.

In Class C, NYA was 1-9 and 10th (only eight teams make the playoffs) after losing in straight sets at Maranacook last week. The Panthers host Maranacook Thursday, go to Calais and Woodland Saturday, then finish at Lake Region Tuesday of next week.

Cross country

Falmouth’s girls were first at a four-team meet at Scarborough last week. Maeve Ginevan had the second-best individual time (20 minutes, 17 seconds). The boys placed third, as Christopher Jaynes was ninth (18:01).

Yarmouth and Maine Coast Waldorf took part in a five-team meet at Cape Elizabeth. The Clippers boys were second to the hosts and MCW came in fifth. Individually, Yarmouth’s Cameron Pernal was third (17:35). MCW was led by Quinn Chessa (14th, 19:25). In the girls’ competition, Yarmouth was second behind Cape Elizabeth and MCW finished third. MCW’s Soren Stark-Chessa was first individually (18:09). The Clippers were paced by Norah Mills (fifth, 21:19).

Freeport and Greely competed at Traip Academy. The Falcons girls came in first and the Rangers were second. Greely’s Rowan Barry had the top time (19:47.9). Freeport was led by Lucy Huggett (third, 20:25.6). In the boys’ meet, the Falcons were second behind York and the Rangers finished third. Freeport’s Will Spaulding was first individually (16:26.73). Greely’s William Coull placed third (16:34.57).

Press Herald staff writer Drew Bonifant contributed to this story.

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net. For game updates and links to game stories, follow him on Threads: @foresports2023

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