Included in this week's most intriguing contests are regional final rematches, teams aiming to prove themselves and a boys' soccer rivalry of A North contenders.

Girls’ soccer: Belle Kalil sparks the Rams’ offense with four goals in a 6-0 win over Biddeford.

Defending Class A champions open with a 2-1 victory over the Eagles.

The Dragons and Eagles look forward to playing every game, but they savor their showdowns in particular.

A mix of new and experienced players to keep an eye for on the pitch this season.

Eight backs make our list of some of the top players in the region, as defense looks to be a strength around southern Maine.

Seven teams from the deep and talented SMAA make our list.

The Maine Principals' Association revises longstanding rule, but "strongly recommends that soccer players continue to wear a well-fitted mouth guard."

Zeus and Saion Rankin left Japan to live with their grandparents in Biddeford, to the delight of Tigers soccer fans.

After years of being mandatory, mouth guards are optional this season.

Justin Morrill takes over the program from longtime coach Mike Hagerty, who retired after winning 14 state championships.

Just 17 days after a deadly mass shooting, the Blue Devils delivered the city some joy with a Class A boys' soccer state championship.

In 27 seasons, Hagerty built the Clippers into a powerhouse that won 13 state championships.

The senior striker scored 33 goals, the second-highest single-season output in Class A history.

The senior-heavy list includes players from state championship teams Lewiston, Yarmouth and Mt. Abram.

The invitation to Foxborough included a private meeting with Patriots owner Robert Kraft, on-field access before the game and a chance to ring the bell atop the new, 218-foot Gillette Stadium Lighthouse.

The invitation to Foxborough included a private meeting with Patriots owner Robert Kraft, on-field access before the game and a chance to ring the bell atop the new, 218-foot Gillette Stadium Lighthouse.

The Clippers strike just 29 seconds into the match and roll from there, easily winning a state championship game rematch.

Tegra Mbele scores his second goal of the game in the 14th minute of overtime, lifting the Blue Devils to a 3-2 victory.

Deering is going for its first Gold Ball in Class A ,while Yarmouth looks for its eighth in nine seasons in Class B.

Max Gilbert scores his first goal of the year, and the defense does the rest for the three-time defending state champions.

Four players score for the unbeaten Roadrunners on the way to a 5-1 victory in the Class C South final.

Nick Simon Mboumba's free kick goal in the first half holds up for the Rams to win the A South title

In Class A South, Deering meets Portland, while in Class B South Cape Elizabeth looks to end Yarmouth's championship reign.

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

Mustangs earn first berth in state final since 2016 Class C championship game.

The Class A South rivals battle to a scoreless draw through two regulation and two overtimes before the Bulldogs prevail on Francisco Samuel's clinching penalty kick.

Nick Simon Mboumba converts a free kick in the 110th minute to give the third-seeded Rams a 1-0 semifinal victory over No. 7 Falmouth.

The Bulldogs overcome outstanding goaltending from Seamus Corry, and Paulo Joao's goal off a rebound sends the Bulldogs to the Class A South semifinals.

Chandrel Mangele-Laza scores the winner, sending the Rams to the Class A South semifinals against Falmouth.

The four-time defending state champions sweep Falmouth, 25-11, 25-22, 25-19.

Emma Bowden's goal with 23 seconds left in the first overtime lifts the Patriots to a 3-2 win over the Rangers.

The Rams take a big step toward a first-round playoff bye, leaping ahead of Portland in the Class A South Heal point standings.

Kilson Joao breaks a scoreless tie in the first half, and the Red Storm tack on two goals after halftime.

The Stags score their goals in the fourth quarter, beating Falmouth, 4-0.

Field hockey: Lucy and Lily Johnson lead the top-ranked Stags to their 42nd straight regular-season win, 7-0.

Bez Mendelsohn scores twice on penalty kicks as the Rangers improve to 7-3-1.

The Eagles score twice in 40 seconds to remain the only unbeaten team in Class A South.

Field hockey: After a scoreless first half, Leavitt beats Freeport for its third consecutive shutout and seventh overall this season.

Evelyn Agrondnia has three assists as the Capers beat the Dragons, 3-1.

The Greyhounds score twice in the second half to take game between young Class C South squads.

The Bulldogs score twice in the second half and improve to 7-0-1 with a 3-0 victory.

Field hockey: Allie Sweetser connects on a penalty stroke with 2:40 to play as the Navigators pull out a 3-2 win over the Eagles.

Field hockey: The Clippers get goals from Sophie Smith and Celia Zinman in the final nine minutes to escape with their seventh straight win, 2-1.

Yousif Ibrahim is looking to make name for himself in Baghdad while participating in prospect camp.

The Bulldogs show off their talent and depth, improving to 3-0-1 with their win over the Navigators.

Gorham nearly erases a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter, but a missed 2-point conversion allows Cheverus to escape with a 21-20 victory.

New-look Dragons graduated 16 players, but still should be in the mix yet again.

Football: Teddy Peters passes for four touchdowns in a 39-33 win over Winthrop/Monmouth/Hall-Dale.

Windham might be the strongest team in an always tough Class A South, while Yarmouth is loaded with talent as it defends its Class B championship.