Oak Hill of Wales and Maine Central Institute of Pittsfield played for the Class D state title last year. Oak Hill captured its second straight championship with a 41-21 victory.
The teams could meet again in November.
“We would love the opportunity to be there again,” said MCI Coach Tom Bertrand. “Hopefully we can finish the job.”
Oak Hill is one of the favorites in Class D South, while MCI gets the nod in Class D North.
“We have a lot of kids returning who played considerable minutes last season,” said Bertrand. “We graduated some kids up front. We have half our offensive line returning.”
Injuries took their toll on MCI in the state final. So did Oak Hill’s relentless ground game.
“We just wore out,” said Bertrand.
MCI is led by fullback/linebacker Alex Bertrand, quarterback/defensive end Greg Vigue, two-way end Dillon Fitts and two-way guard Curtis McLeod.
Oak Hill hopes to ride the experience of eight returning offensive starters and six on defense. Quarterback Dalton Therrien is back, with running back Steven Gilbert and outside linebacker Levi Buteau, who intercepted a pass in the state final. The Raiders also have Austin Goucher returning on the offensive line, and Garrett Gile and Connor Elwell on the defensive line.
“We return five starters in our offensive line,” said Oak Hill Coach Stacen Doucette. “Our team is developing good chemistry, which I feel is one of our strengths.”
Old Orchard Beach Coach Dean Plante said the favorites in the South start with Oak Hill. But Plante is confident about his team, saying “I feel we can play with anyone.”
Lisbon Coach Dick Mynahan also believes Oak Hill is the team to beat.
“Oak Hill has a very good chance of repeating,” he said. “We scrimmaged them last Monday and they have a lot of depth.”
Lisbon, a perennial contender, has only two seniors. Mynahan likes the talent of his newcomers and said by season’s end, the team will be better. Quarterback Tyler Halls got some playoff experience and has the potential to be one of the top players in the division, with Oak Hill’s Therrien.
Winthrop/Monmouth and Maranacook are expected to have strong seasons; both teams return a lot of players. Doucette called Maranacook “a big, physical team.”
Orono, Mt. View, Mattanawcook Academy and Bucksport are potential challengers in the North. Orono returns seven starters on offense and eight on defense. Junior quarterback Jackson Coutts is a strong runner and passer, and the Riots have a strong junior class.
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