The candidates for Maine's best senior football player include four quarterbacks, two running backs, a receiver and a defensive back.

Vance had been the Stags' head coach for eight seasons after 10 years as an assistant, winning the 2021 eight-man Large School championship.

It marks the second straight year that Portland shuts out Deering in the annual exhibition game after playing in the state championship game.

This year both teams have new coaches heading into their holiday exhibition, the only Thanksgiving high school football game in the state.

These were among the top individual performances over championship weekend.

The Hornets cruised to the Class C state championship and finished an 11-0 season that included wins over several of the biggest high schools in Maine.

The Rams assert themselves late with three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to pull away for a 40-20 victory.

The Warriors fall behind 21-0 at halftime, then rally to beat the two-time defending champion Ponies for their first state title since 2018.

The Golden Trojans score three touchdowns in the second half of a 24-14 victory for their sixth championship since 2012.

The Hornets complete their second consecutive undefeated season with a 71-12 victory over Oceanside.

The Class A & B title games will be played at Fitzpatrick Stadium, the Class C & D games at Lewiston High.

Senior is more than a big-play quarterback. He works hard to excel in many facets of football, motivated, he says, by "trying to do my best to help the team out."

The undefeated Mariners have been equally dangerous throwing and running the ball, averaging over 40 points per game.

High school football picks, Week 12

But getting to a state championship game is nothing new for either program, which played each other for the Gold Ball in 2015 and 2018.

Longtime head coach can win his second state title Saturday when Bulldogs meet Kennebunk in Portland.

With a new coach leading the way, the Rams have navigated injuries and shaky play late in the season to come within a game of their first state championship since 1991.

The Warriors are 6-0 against Class D opponents this season.

These were among the top individual performances across the state over the weekend.

The Hornets trail by two scores twice, including an 11-point deficit heading into the fourth quarter, but Noah Carpenter helps them battle back and beat the Raiders.

The Red Riots avenge their loss in the 2022 state final, cruising to a 46-18 win over the previously undefeated Seagulls.

The top-seeded Trojans never trail in a 21-13 victory over No. 3 Bonny Eagle in the Class A South championship game.

Cordell Jones races 76 yards for the winning score with 17.4 seconds left after the Vikings had rallied from a 22-7 deficit.

Spencer Laurendeau rushes for 145 yards to lead the Trojans to a 28-0 victory and the Large School division championship.

Dominic Buxton leads the Warriors' ground attack with 167 yards and three scores in a victory over Winthrop/Monmouth-Hall-Dale.

Greely takes on Mt. Desert Island in the Large School division, while Old Orchard Beach and Orono meet in a Small School final rematch.

Some teams hope to make a return trip to the state finals, while others are eager to end long title-game droughts.

High school football picks, Week 11

The Golden Trojans score on two long runs to beat the Spartans in a Class A South semifinal.

Jonah Barstow's 26-yard kick with 13 seconds remaining gives the Rams a 23-22 victory over the Blue Blazes in the Class B South semifinals.

The Mustangs win 14-7 to avenge a midseason 42-7 loss to the Hawks and advance to the Class B South championship game.

The Bulldogs score 20 straight points late in the first half en route to a 32-8 victory and a matchup with defending Class A champ Oxford Hills.

These were among the top individual performances across the state over the past week.

A year after going 0-7 in its first season of eight-man football, Greely is heading to the Large School state championship game.

Even with a few hiccups early – and being forced to punt for the first time all season – the Seagulls defeat Maranacook, 56-8, in the eight-man Small School South final.

Football: Special teams play a big role for the second-seeded Raiders in a Class C South semifinal win.

High school football picks, Week 10

SMAA teams in Class A and Class B South have opted to play regional semifinals on Monday because of scheduling disruptions in the wake of school closures late last week.

Lewiston beat Edward Little, 34-18, a triumph for a heartbroken community just one week after 18 people were killed in a mass shooting.

Some well known names, including Robert Kraft and Mac Jones of the Patriots, are psyched for Lewiston and Auburn's football game this evening.

The Dragons score with 2:26 left, then stop a two-point conversion rush to beat the Clippers, 48-46.

The Rangers win 38-0 and will host Brunswick in the Large School eight-man South final Saturday.

These were among the top individual performances across the state over the weekend.

The Hawks rally for 21 points in final eight minutes but are stopped just short going for winning two-point conversion and the Rams improve to 7-1.

Aidan Taylor catches three second-half touchdown passes for the Blue Blazes, who end the regular season 3-5.

The annual award given to Maine's top high school senior football player will be presented in January.

Many teams have larger rosters this season, but few are anxious to move back to the 11-man version of the sport.

Brunswick and Mt. Ararat/Hyde look to make noise in Large School South, while Morse has bye in the North.