Rebels without a cause at Telstar

As basketball programs came to life across the state on the first day of practice Monday, the Telstar girls' team was dormant.

The Rebels have elected not to play this season. It's the second time since 1975 that Telstar won't field a team. After 15 consecutive losing seasons, Telstar did not play in 1990.

CMCC falls to Apprentice

ORONO — Maine football coach Jack Cosgrove, who left Saturday's 41-17 win over Rhode Island in the third quarter, is back with the team, according to a statement released Sunday by the University.

Cosgrove left the game in the third quarter as a precautionary measure after experiencing symptoms that included shotness of breath and chest pain. He was taken to Eastern Maine Medical Center where he underwent tests overnight. he was released Sunday.

CMCC falls to Apprentice

No time to celebrate: Pair of St. Dom's soccer players prepare for elite tournament in Florida

AUBURN — For some players, soccer season never ends. They just switch fields.

After winning the Class C state championship and capping off a perfect season, Jack Erickson and Garrett Darnell didn't have long to savor the St. Dom's victory over Fort Kent. That's because the two Saints are part of a U17 team that will be competing in the Super Y North American finals next week in Tampa, Florida.

Maineiacs notes: Beauvillier, Henley names to Team Quebec

LEWISTON — The Lewiston Maineiacs may have been snubbed over the summer by Hockey Canada when none of their players were invited to the squad's Under-19 hockey camp, and it hurt a bit when none of the team's top players were chosen this fall for the Canada-Russia Super Series, but this week, the team finally got some good news regarding some its youngest players.

Francis Beauvillier and Sam Henley, two of the team's 16-year-olds who have made a solid impression so far this season, will represent Team Quebec in the World U-17 tournament this December.

Maineiacs escape Chicoutimi with one point

Even a two-goal lead on the road wasn't safe enough for the Lewiston Maineiacs.

Playing their third game in four nights, the Maineiacs salvaged a point from their road trip Saturday, sneaking out of Chicoutimi after a 4-3 shootout loss to the Sagueneens in front of 2,981 at the Centre Georges Vezina.

What's next for Marsh Island?

For the second consecutive fall, BLIP-certified bow hunters were allowed to hunt the deer-dense area in Old Town known as Marsh Island. The hunt was coordinated by the Maine Bowhunters Association (MBA) and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIF&W). BLIP stands for Bowhunters/Landowners Information Program. Bowhunters, to become certified, must pass a bow competency test, which includes some instruction and having previous experience bagging big game in Maine with a bow.

Leavitt wins first Eastern B crown

TURNER — Josh Strickland's 61 carries the last two weeks suggest he is Leavitt's workhorse.

The senior tailback's touchdown runs of 11 and 33 yards in Saturday's Pine Tree Conference Class B championship are evidence that he is more like a sleek racehorse. His all-around performance against Gardiner, however, confirmed one thing:

Josh Strickland is a mudder.

Strickland rushed for 242 yards and both of the game's touchdowns on 34 carries to lead the Hornets to a 13-0 victory on a drizzly afternoon. 

Dirigo's Guildford steps forward on defense

DIXFIELD — Taking inventory of Dirigo High School's defensive weapons is a daunting task if you're writing the opposition's scouting report.

There's Alex Miele, whose interception Saturday moved him within one of the school record that now-assistant coach Dana Whittemore locked away in mothballs a long time ago.

"And I did that on a 1-7 team," Whittemore said.

Maine's Treister shows URI the door

ORONO — Chris Treister threw five touchdown passes and ran for another to lead Maine past Rhode Island 41-17 on Saturday.

The Black Bears (5-5, 4-3 Colonial Athletic Association) outscored the Rams 34-7 in the second half and controlled the clock throughout.

Maine rolled up 507 yards of offense for their fourth-straight 500-yard game against Rhode Island (1-9, 0-7).

Treister, who was 38-for-44 with 461 yards, and also ran for 33 yards on 12 carries, put the Black Bears up for good on a 23-yard run with 3:55 left in the third quarter.

Cougars march on to state final

DIXFIELD — Neither the cold drizzle nor a few straggling well-wishers, television cameras and guys wielding tape recorders could stop Dirigo High School's football team. Hand-in-hand, stretched across the field three dozen strong, the Cougars trod leisurely from one end zone to the other at Harlow Park.

As symbolic gestures go, this one had multiple meanings. Intended as a public declaration of brotherhood and camaraderie, it might have been the most time-consuming march the Cougars made over that turf all autumn long.

Falcons lead late, fall short against Cape Elizabeth

CAPE ELIZABETH — It's been a season of battered shoulders, bruised ankles and twisted knees.

Saturday, it was the hearts of the Mountain Valley Falcons that were broken.

The Falcons had a fourth straight Western B title within their grasp at Hannaford Field field, but watched Cape Elizabeth rally with two touchdowns in the final quarter to stun upset-minded Mountain Valley 23-13.

Maine: Black Bears earn pair of victories

BOSTON — The University of Maine men's ice hockey team exploded for six goals and extended its winning streak to three games with a 6-2 win over Northeastern on Friday night at Matthews. The Black Bears improve to 4-5-0 on the season with the victory and improve to 3-2-0 in Hockey East play. The Huskies fall to 3-5-0 overall and 1-4-0 in conference play.

Road woes continue for Maineiacs

The well-oiled machine that is Drummondville never gave the Lewiston Maineiacs a chance Friday.

The Volts even spotted Lewiston a goal early in the first before unleashing a 54-shot barrage on goaltender Adrien Lemay, connecting on six of them to earn a 6-3 win in front of 2,634 at the Centre Marcel Dionne.

Pair of high-flying offenses headline Western C final

DIXFIELD — Either way, Maine high school football history gets made this afternoon at Harlow Park.

Dirigo High School has its mind on an undefeated season and its first gridiron championship of any kind since 1975.

Yarmouth High School, three seasons into its varsity existence, hopes to extend an eight-game winning streak and complete the most unlikely, dramatic playoff push of this or any season.

Western Class C and the Campbell Conference are guaranteed a first-time champion. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m.

Late start, strong finish for Cote

DIXFIELD — Mason Cote is no different than most high school football offensive linemen in Maine.

He's spent an entire career believing, deep down, that he's a running back.

Catch Cote scurrying between classes at Dirigo High School without his helmet and shoulder pads and you might understand the identity crisis. The senior is listed on the Cougars' roster at an even six feet and 168 pounds. And perhaps both vital statistics are a smidgen charitable.

Treister takes over at QB for Black Bears

The season gets shorter and the injury list gets longer for the University of Maine football team.

Quarterback Warren Smith is done for the year after suffering a broken foot in the fourth quarter of Maine's 22-14 loss to James Madison last Saturday. Fellow sophomore Chris Treister, a former Portland High School star, will take over the starting job when the Black Bears host Rhode Island (noon, WPME).

Leavitt hopes to craft a regional championship

TURNER — Parking will be at a premium for Saturday's Eastern Class B football final, and not just because some of the best players in the state will be squaring off for third-seeded Gardiner and top-seeded Leavitt.

Leavitt Area High School's annual craft fair is being held simultaneously with the Pine Tree Conference title game. Leavitt coaches and administrators hoped to play the game Friday night to avoid the headaches of a couple of thousand football fans and craft enthusiasts converging in one spot. But PTC bylaws require the game kick off at 1:30 on Saturday.

Hornets offense flies with Theiss

TURNER — Eric Theiss doesn't get flustered easily. His stomach isn't a safe haven for butterflies.

But then, how much damage could butterflies do to a guy who had a hand in three touchdowns in just one half while on the verge of vomiting because of a flu?  

"He's a kid that doesn't get rattled," his father, Jim Theiss said. " (Coach) Mike (Hathaway) has a calming effect on a lot of the kids, and Eric's got a lot of trust in these kids playing with him. They've grown up playing football the same way."  

Verrier makes it official

ORONO — Now it's official for Oxford Hills High School senior Matt Verrier.

With a signature on a National letter of Intent in hand, University of Maine baseball coach Steve Trimper announced Thursday that Verrier and four other players will join the Black Bears in the fall of 2010.

What if? Mtn. Valley still believes it can reach state title game

RUMFORD — It might be a case of the power of positive thinking, or maybe the Mountain Valley football team is trying to look at the glass half full instead of completely empty.

After losing to Cape Elizabeth 34-0 at Hannaford Field two weeks ago, the Falcons are headed there again Saturday and are feeling good about their chances in the 12:30 p.m. Western Class B final.

Day shines on game night

RUMFORD — Chris Day probably could have predicted how many snaps he might get when the football season began — none.

The senior backup quarterback figured his opportunities behind center were going to be limited if not non-existent this season for the Mountain Valley Falcons.

"I didn't even think I was going to be on offense," said Day, a two-year starter in the secondary. "I thought I'd keep my defensive spot and keep the sidelines up on offense."

Tigres claw Maineiacs

Even a great start on the road couldn't rescue the Lewiston Maineiacs on Wednesday.

Jordan Kennedy's best performance of his young goaltending career couldn't offset the Maineiacs' continuing woes on special teams as Tomas Kubalik knocked in his second goal of the game out of mid-air on a late power play to lift Victoriaville to a 4-3 win over visiting Lewiston in front of 1,819 at the Colisee Desjardins on Wednesday.

Hebron wins another MAISAD field hockey title

HEBRON — Hebron Academy earned its fifth straight MAISAD field hockey title with a 2-0 win over Gould Academy Wednesday. 

Hebron put the first point on the board just 9 minutes into the game when senior Alessandra Hankinson found the back of the net. A reverse stick shot from Camree Thompson, assisted by Lauren Ratsep, at the 12-minute mark gave Hebron a 2-0 halftime lead.

Freshman Lauren Yomantas stopped three shots in goal to pick up her fifth shutout of the season for Hebron (5-5-2).

 Girls' soccer

Hebron 2, Kents Hill 1

Navy Prep knocks off CMCC

AUBURN — Dan Cozad drained a 3-pointer from the right corner with less than 10 seconds remaining to lift Navy Prep of Newport, RI over Central Maine Community College ,75-73, on Wednesday.
The Mustangs (2-1) came back from a 12-point deficit to lead 40-37 at the break. The second half brought eight lead changes in the final five minutes and saw the Rams (2-0) cash in from the charity stripe, converting 12 of 14 in the final frame.

Black Bears counting on their Maine men

ORONO —With an overall record of 16-44 the last two seasons, the University of Maine men's basketball team knows something has been missing.

After talking amongst themselves during the off-season, the Black Bears think they know what void needs to be filled first.

"A lot of our talk was about mentality and leadership," said junior forward Sean McNally of Gardiner. "Something that we've lacked the last two years is just getting three or four of us, whether we're upperclassmen or lowerclassmen, to step up and take the leadership role."