Although the leaves have yet to start changing color and the temperatures are still relatively warm, it’s about to become fall in York County. High school football is starting back up with countable games this Friday night, and that officially means the seasons have changed and summer is gone.
Last year was a fall to remember as far as football games in Journal Tribune country. Six of our seven teams made the playoffs, with Thornton Academy getting back to its third-straight regional final, and Kennebunk having a season to remember, going undefeated all the way to the Class B state championship game in one of the best years in the program’s history.
As you’ve hopefully been reading in these pages last week and this week, we’re expecting another great ride this season, with the possibility of all of our schools ”“ Biddeford, Thornton Academy, Massabesic and Sanford in Class A; Kennebunk in Class B; Wells in Class C; Old Orchard Beach in Class D ”“ making the playoffs, with a few perhaps making a run deep into November.
It’s hard to start a discussion about football in this area with any team other than Thornton Academy, which under head coach Kevin Kezal has become one of the most consistent programs in the state over the last decade. Last season, the Golden Trojans overcame a devastating week one injury to do-it-all senior standout Andrew Libby to make it back to the Western Class A regional final, where eventual state champions Bonny Eagle beat them.
It would be hard to bet against TA getting at least that far again this year. Impressive junior quarterback Austin McCrum returns for his second year under center, while running back Demel Ruff and wide receiver Kevin Barrett lead what should be one of the most talented offenses in the state.
Rival Biddeford made the playoffs for the first time in three seasons last year under returning coach Brian Curit, and that’s the ground floor of their expectations this season thanks to a talented senior class including quarterback Casey Twomey, big fullback Capen Macomber and defensive leader Chris Couillard.
With a steadily declining enrollment making a switch down to Class B likely, this could be the Tigers’ last season in its traditional Class A home, meaning teams like Thornton, South Portland and Scarborough could be making their last trips to Waterhouse Field for quite some time.
Over to the west, Sanford and Massabesic also have high hopes.
For the first time in 20 years, Sanford will have a head coach other than Mike Fallon on the sidelines this season as assistant Keith Noel is taking over the reins on a one-year basis for Fallon, who is taking a year off.
The Spartans have made the playoffs each of the past three seasons and will look to a balanced offense led by senior quarterback Chase Eldredge and their patented, always-tough defense to get back to the postseason.
In their second season under head coach Jon Gallant, Massabesic will also be expecting to improve on last season’s 1-7 mark. Senior fullback Mike Risti will again be the main man on offense, while the Mustangs will also expect a much stouter defense.
In the smaller classes, Kennebunk may be in a slight rebuild this season after graduating one of the most talented seniors classes in school history. But don’t tell them that. With one of the best returning offensive and defensive lines in the state, the Rams should be able to control the line of scrimmage just like they did last year.
Where the Rams will have to find a new identity is in the backfield, where they graduated a bevy of stars, including Fitzpatrick Trophy finalist Nicco DeLorenzo. Sean Brannen, who tore his ACL early in the season last year, will take over DeLorenzo’s spot at fullback, while receiver Don Dubois and running backs Harrison Vosburgh and Liam Studley ”“ all of whom saw some time last year ”“ will be asked to carry much more of the offensive load this season as well.
Wells finds itself in the same sort of position old rival Kennebunk did last year, with a ton of experience returning in a large and deep senior class. That’s led by speedy running back Chris Carney and bruising fullback Mike Curtis, a one-two punch that Class C opponents will have a hard time shutting down.
Nate Booth, who impressed last season at quarterback, will add another dimension to the Warriors’ offense, while middle linebacker Ryan Marsh is back to lead what should be a better overall defense than a year ago.
And let’s not forget about Old Orchard Beach, a team with big hopes in the smallest of Maine’s four football classes, Class D. Bryan Roberts could be one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the state regardless of class, while his backfield mates Andrew Graves and Hunter Boutot, along with speedy newcomers Zach Hirst and Erik Hogan, should make the Seagulls an exciting offense to watch.
But all of this is simple conjecture, predictions and prognostication; and as more than a few football coaches in this area will tell you, talk is cheap, and actions on the field speak a lot more than words off of it.
As of Friday at 7 p.m., that action is about to start. See you out there.
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Today’s editorial was written by Sports Writer Cameron Dunbar on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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