A change of the calendar brings a new level of excitement to the fall sports campaign.

We’re now in the second half of the regular season schedule and every remaining contest is filled with importance.

The postseason isn’t far off and the fun is just beginning for Cape Elizabeth and South Portland’s teams.

Here’s an overview:

Football

South Portland’s football team is off to its best start in 23 seasons after improving to 4-0 with a 41-20 home victory over Windham last Friday.

After a scoreless first period, the Red Riots went ahead to stay in the second on a 1-yard touchdown run from Connor Gerard. Quarterback Easton Healy added a 4-yard TD scamper and after the Eagles got on the board, Healy hit Alex Horton with a 54-yard scoring strike to make it 20-7 at halftime. Healy scored on a 6-yard run in the third quarter, then he ran for another TD (7-yards) early in the fourth for a 34-7 advantage. After Windham answered with a score, Chris Salamone put it away with a 19-yard touchdown run and one final Eagles’ TD accounted for the final score.

South Portland has a big test Friday, when it goes to dangerous Bonny Eagle (see our website for game story). The Red Riots and Scots (who are 2-2 this fall) didn’t meet a year ago. The teams haven’t played since 2018 and South Portland hasn’t beaten Bonny Eagle since 2015.

Cape Elizabeth, meanwhile, evened its record at 2-2 last Saturday by downing visiting Freeport, 21-3.

The Capers go to 1-3 York Saturday afternoon. Last year, Cape Elizabeth downed the Wildcats twice, 30-27 at home in the regular season and 41-6 in the Class C South quarterfinals.

Boys’ soccer

South Portland’s Jackson Houlette dribbles the ball up the field during last week’s home loss to Falmouth. Hoffer photo.

Cape Elizabeth’s boys’ soccer team improved to 7-1-1 after a 4-1 home win over York last week and Tuesday’s 4-0 victory at Gray-New Gloucester. Against the Wildcats, Harry Converse, Luis Gonzales, Tully Haydar and Will Vaine all scored. In the win over the Patriots, Converse had three goals and Caiden Johnson scored the other.

The Capers welcome Brunswick Saturday and have a huge home test next Wednesday versus Greely.

South Portland took a 3-4 mark into Wednesday’s game at Cheverus following a 1-0 home loss to Falmouth and a 2-1 double-overtime victory at Gorham last week. In the setback, the Red Riots conceded a goal early in the second half and couldn’t answer.

“It was nice to get opportunities early but we have to finish the whole game,” South Portland coach Bryan Hoy said. “The second half wasn’t our best performance. It can be frustrating sometimes. We had a good shot at the end there that got deflected in the box. Other than that, we didn’t generate much pressure in the second half.”

In the victory, Ben Morin scored both goals, with the winner coming on a penalty kick.

The Red Riots welcome Deering Friday and go to Sanford Wednesday of next week.

“I keep telling the guys it doesn’t really matter where we go in, as long as we get in,” Hoy said. “We’ll have to win some road games, but that’s not a problem for us.”

Girls’ soccer

On the girls’ side, Cape Elizabeth improved to 7-0-1 after a 2-1 home win over Gray-New Gloucester Tuesday. Addie Miller and Hailey Gorman each scored once.

The Capers visit Class A North power Brunswick Saturday, then have a pivotal showdown at Greely Wednesday of next week.

South Portland was 2-5-1 following a 2-1 loss at Falmouth, a 5-0 home victory over Massabesic and a 2-0 setback at Deering. Marina Bassett had the lone goal versus the Navigators. In the win, Maci Raucher scored twice and Mayla Costa, Mya Lawrence and Charlie Savage added one apiece.

The Red Riots hosted Bonny Eagle Thursday and go to Thornton Academy Tuesday of next week.

Field hockey

Cape Elizabeth’s Wylie Stoecklein fights for possession during Monday’s overtime loss at Greely. Hoffer photo.

The South Portland/Westbrook co-op field hockey team was 3-3-1 entering a showdown at Scarborough Wednesday. The squad was coming off a 6-1 home victory over Bonny Eagle and a 4-1 setback at Sanford. Jane Phillips had three goals in the win, while Lily Dorrington scored twice and Mackenzie Hall also rattled the cage. Vivian Lolar made 22 saves in the loss to the Spartans. After going to Bonny Eagle Saturday, South Portland/Westbrook returns home Tuesday of next week to face Noble.

Cape Elizabeth was 1-6 after Monday’s 1-0 overtime loss at Greely and Tuesday’s 1-0 overtime win at Poland. Against the Rangers, the Capers came as close to victory as they had all season, but fell just short despite six saves from goalie Lulu Stoecklein.

“This was honestly our best game,” Cape Elizabeth first-year coach Michelle Lemelin said. “We really connected and had a lot of possession. I really felt like we were winning, but it slipped by us.

“I think since the start of preseason to now, we’ve made great strides. It just hasn’t come out as a ‘W’ yet. We just need more experience and time on the field.”

Against the Knights, the Capers broke through, as Clio Cook-Sharp scored three minutes into OT and Stoecklein made five saves.

“We really brought our game today and connected very well,” Lemelin said. “It was a fun game to watch and a very close game. I think our captains really carried our team to victory today being positive and constructive in-between quarters. We haven’t had much experience with overtime, but they knew from our previous game that these were precious minutes and every play is important. I am super-proud of them.”

Cape Elizabeth plays at Leavitt Friday, welcomes Yarmouth Monday, then visits Fryeburg Academy Wednesday of next week.

“We’re trying to adjust and get better,” Lemelin said. “It’s gone by so fast. We only have a couple weeks left and there’s still so much to do. We want to finish strong and find a way to get in the playoffs. We have two more games this week. We’re hoping to get a win.”

Volleyball

Cape Elizabeth’s volleyball team improved to 5-2 after Tuesday’s 3-0 win at Gray-New Gloucester

The Capers were at Wells Thursday and travel to Gardiner Tuesday of next week.

South Portland was 3-5 following a four set win at Brunswick and a four set loss at Marshwood.

The Red Riots hosted Deering Thursday and welcome Bonny Eagle Tuesday of next week.

Cross country

South Portland’s cross country team joined Kennebunk and Scarborough at Noble last week. The Red Riots boys were second to the Red Storm and were paced individually by Evan Small, who was fifth in 17 minutes, 41.12 seconds. South Portland’s girls were third (Scarborough won) and had the second-fastest individual in Julia Tompkins (21:30.15).

Cape Elizabeth joined Fryeburg Academy and St. Dom’s at Lake Region. The Capers girls finished first and Hannah Frothingham was tops individually (20:58). Cape Elizabeth’s boys were second to the Lakers and were led by Liam Nudd (third, 18:00).

Golf

The golf season was winding down at press time.

South Portland was 2-7 heading into Thursday’s finale versus Falmouth. The Red Riots lost earlier this week to Scarborough (9-4) and Cheverus (12-1). Against the Red Storm, Corbin Voisine had a team-best nine-hole round of 37. In the loss to the Stags, Evan Campbell shot a 38. The Southwestern Maine Activities Association state qualifier is next week.

Cape Elizabeth finished eighth at Tuesday’s Western Maine Conference qualifier and did not make the cut for the state match.