Cheverus and Thornton Academy are the two best football teams in Western Class A. We’ll find out which is the best when they play Oct. 13 in Saco.

In the meantime, unbeaten Scarborough has a chance to show it belongs in the same discussion. The Red Storm get that chance at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Thornton Academy.

The Red Storm have been impressive with wins over Bonny Eagle and Windham, but had all they could handle against Deering, trailing 14-13 at halftime before rallying for a 28-21 win. In the opening game of the season, Thornton beat Deering, 44-14.

At the halfway point of the regular season, Scarborough and Thornton are atop the Crabtree standings, just ahead of Cheverus. It doesn’t really mean much until the end of the season when the playoff pairings are set. The top eight teams qualify.

For Cheverus and Thornton, the chance to be the No. 1 seed is a big incentive. That prize is home-field advantage through the regionals. A year ago, Thornton had to play the final at Cheverus and lost.

Scarborough can make a case for No. 1 by beating Thornton. After Thornton, the Red Storm host Massabesic and are at Portland, then close with Gorham, which will hurt their Crabtree ranking because strength of schedule matters.

The Red Storm have had a nice rebound from a 3-5 record last year, when running back Scott Thibeault suffered a season-ending injury. Thibeault graduated and now the mantle of leading the team falls on quarterback Dillon Russo, who has been the most exciting player in the league.

Portland, another team with a nice bounce-back season, is fourth in the Crabtree standings, followed by Noble and Windham, tied for fifth, then Massabesic and Bonny Eagle.

Kennebunk and Sanford are seeking to make the top eight.

“We’re playing better defense than we have the last two seasons,” said Scarborough Coach Lance Johnson. “Thornton will be a big test. They’re very solid. Their skill players are all big.”

Noble has had the best reversal, going from 1-7 a year ago to 3-1 heading into Friday night’s game at Portland, also 3-1.

WHILE WESTERN Class A has two clear front-runners, Western Class B is wide open. Marshwood is 4-0 and ranked No. 1, and York, Westbrook, Wells and Greely all are at 3-1.

Marshwood plays at Wells on Friday night. Also, resurgent Mountain Valley is at York. Games this weekend and next weekend could bring the playoff picture into clearer focus. On Oct. 5, Westbrook hosts York and Wells plays at Mountain Valley. Westbrook plays at Marshwood on the final weekend of the regular season.

“It’s anybody’s guess right now which team will end up on top,” said Westbrook Coach Jeff Guerette. “Marshwood is undefeated with three teams with one loss. I would like to think we’ll be right there at the end.”

Greely has a victory against Westbrook, then lost to York on a field goal with 39 seconds remaining.

Westbrook opened the season with victories over Mountain Valley and Wells.

WITH THE RENOVATION of South Portland High and its athletic fields, the football team has had to practice at Wainwright Field this season, off Highland Avenue about a mile from the high school.

The team takes a bus to and from practice, and puts on its practice gear in the locker room.

The Riots used to practice on the outfield grass of the baseball field behind the high school, but the baseball field is no longer there.

The Riots have been playing baseball at Wainwright since 2005.

“As part of the renovation, we’re going to have two large practice fields and one smaller one,” said Athletic Director Todd Livingston. “We need two more growing seasons, so the football team will be practicing at Wainwright for one more year.”

The Red Riots, as they have since the early 1960s, play home games at Martin Memorial Field, just behind the school. In the future, the football field could have synthetic turf.

“That’s just in the conversation stage,” said Livingston.

The entire renovation project is expected to be completed in 2014.

Graduation losses, inexperience and injuries have hit the Red Riots, who are 0-4.

JARED JENSEN of Brunswick has a chance to break 2,000 yards rushing for the season. Halfway through the season, he has 1,296 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Next in rushing in Eastern Class A is Corey Mackenzie of Messalonskee with 786 yards. It drops off significantly after that with the third-place rusher at 393 yards.

Cony quarterback Ben Lucas has thrown for 1,029 yards and 13 touchdowns on 74 of 134 passing.

Staff Writer Tom Chard can be reached at 791-6419 or at:

tchard@pressherald.com

Twitter: TomChardPPH

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