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1. Thornton Academy

The Golden Trojans executed their game plan perfectly in the Class A state final last spring to upset Falmouth and win their first championship since 2019. With a number of key players returning, Thornton will again be among the Class A contenders. Grady Hersey, a Varsity Maine All-State selection, is the Trojans’ top defender and is also strong on faceoffs. Colin Pennell returns in net after making 16 saves in the state championship game. Coach Ryan Hersey also welcomes back a trio of attackmen who combined for 113 goals last season: Will Edborg (50 goals, 27 assists), Ben White (36 goals, 22 assists) and Ben Knox (27 goals, 15 assists). Trevor Baillargeon, a junior transfer from Windham, will contribute in the midfield, helping to fill the void left by the graduation of Jack DeLeo.

2. Falmouth

The Navigators graduated a lot of talent, including several All-Americans, but Falmouth is a deep program that simply restocks and prepares to make another deep playoff run. This season should be no different. It helps to return a pair of All-Americans: midfielder Hayden Davis (47 goals, 49 assists last season) and the 2025 SMAA Player of the Year, faceoff specialist Peter Kearns (16 goals and an 88% faceoff win rate). TJ Saulter (16 goals, 18 assists) returns on attack, and Ian Christie (22 goals, four assists) is also a scoring threat. Cameron Day will be in net, Dylan Cleveland leads the defense and Brendon Welch is a long-stick midfielder. Hudson Barry and Zach Small will also contribute in the midfield, and Riser Backman (defense) and Will Davis (attack) will have expanded roles.

3. Yarmouth

After winning back-to-back Class B state titles, the Clippers make the jump to Class A, where they join a crowded field of contenders. It helps that Yarmouth might have the best goalie in the state. Will Redfield, a returning Varsity Maine All-State player and All-American, posted a save percentage over 65% last season. Long-stick midfielder Nate Buchanan will again be asked to defend each opponent’s top offensive player. Coach Jon Miller called midfielder Ian Minnahan (50 goals in 2025) a player who makes big plays in big games. Attack Hakon Yao totaled more than 60 points in each of the past two seasons, highlighted by the winning overtime goal in the state final last spring. George Brown also scored more than 60 points in each of the past two seasons.

4. York

On one hand, the Wildcats lost a lot of talent to graduation, including Evan Anastas, the Varsity Maine Player of the Year. On the other hand, York returns a deep senior class, the largest coach Bill McNamara has had in five years. That should help the Wildcats, who played in the past three Class B finals, remain a challenger for the top spot in June. Senior Brendan Dowling returns in goal and is a strong last line of defense. Seniors Jake Fletcher and Caleb Donnell, and junior Coen Camire lead the defense with long-stick midfielder Callan Forbes, a junior. In the midfield, the Wildcats are led by seniors Josh Neal, Trueman Thompson and Parker Humphrey, as well as junior Tyler Moores. Cooper Dodge was an all-conference player at attack last season and will pace York’s offense with junior Noah Stone.

5. North Yarmouth Academy

The Panthers held off Maranacook/Winthrop for the Class C title last season and should remain a contender. Gavin Thomas, a senior who scored 51 goals and had 12 assists last year, will again lead the midfield. Stephen Connolly, a sophomore midfielder, transferred from Gorham, and coach Peter Gerrity expects him to be an immediate fixture in NYA’s lineup. Senior Cameron Veitch moves from midfield to attack, where Gerrity expects him to be a calming presence. Sophomore Colby Cuthbert will see an expanded role in the attack. A trio of juniors head NYA’s defense: Camden Wilkinson, Nathan McGillicuddy and William Wignall. Harry Seely, a senior, is back in net.