Well it was quite a ride for our local football teams in the regular season. The Wells Warriors, the 2016 Class C state champions, proved they are the team to beat in Class D this season with a perfect 8-0 run.

The young Thornton Academy Golden Trojans, who are 7-1 heading into the postseason, showed that they are still contenders despite losing a ton to graduation over the last few years.

Kennebunk (7-1) dropped a heartbreaker to powerhouse Marshwood a few weeks back, but the Rams are still a legitimate threat to bring home the Gold Ball.

Also in Class B, the Biddeford Tigers lost three games — to the top three seeds in the region — but in each of those games they hung around for a while and made the other teams work for the win.

The Sanford Spartans are the other local team to reach the postseason after they finished the regular season at 4-4.

Massabesic and Old Orchard Beach failed to reach the postseason, but that doesn’t mean the Mustangs and Seagulls didn’t have their highlights in 2017.

OOB went 3-4 on the season and senior quarterback Dylan Boudreau was a human-highlight reel for the Gulls. Boudreau had a ton of help with seniors Ryun Hogan, Cody Blanchette, Zach Brasier and many others putting together stellar campaigns. Head coach Dean Plante will certainly miss this group, which also included standout lineman Tyler Tozier, when he leads the Gulls in 2018.

Massabesic started the season with six straight losses, but the Mustangs gave their fans something to cheer about as they won their final two games to finish at 2-6. Sophomore quarterback Nick Roberge proved he belonged on the varsity stage and will be a player to watch over the next two years. Senior wide receiver Isaac DesVergnes showed why he is one of the best athletes in the state, and he was key to the Mustangs winning back-to-back games to end the 2017 campaign.

Despite their teams missing the postseason, both Boudreau and DesVergnes should get some serious consideration for the Fitzpatrick Trophy, which is given to the best senior football player in the state.

Here are the final regular season Journal Tribune Power Rankings:

1. Wells (8-0, No. 1 in Class D South)

2. Kennebunk (7-1, No. 2 in Class B South)

3. Thornton Academy (7-1, No. 2 in Class A South)

4. Biddeford (5-3, No. 5 in Class B South)

5. Sanford (4-4, No. 5 in Class A South)

6. Old Orchard Beach (3-5, missed playoffs)

7. Massabesic (2-6, missed playoffs)

— The Journal Tribune Power Rankings are selected by Sports Editor Pat McDonald and Associate Sports Editor Alex Sponseller. They can be reached at [email protected] or [email protected].