After Thursday’s narrow win over Georges Valley, Jim Lunney told his Telstar team to reap the rewards.

After finishing 14-0 and earning a second straight No. 1 seeding, his Rebels deserved to live it up a little.

“It’s a feather in the kids’ cap,” said Lunney. “I told them to enjoy the moment.”

The Rebels were the top seed in Western C and lost in last year’s quarterfinals. So this time around the regular seasons prizes only mean so much, but the Rebels still relish the accomplishment.

“Last year we snuck up on people,” said Lunney. “We overachieved. This year we had a target on our back. Everybody wanted to beat us. They knew we were worth some points.”

With seven starters and nine lettermen back, the expectations are higher for the Rebels. With a more seasoned and confident group, Telstar is thinking big. They get a first round bye and host either Lisbon or Carrabec in the Western C quarterfinals next week.

“It’s not going to be an easy road to get there, but we’re where we want to be,” said Lunney. “We’re going to the dance and everybody wants to dance the last dance.”

Jay also earns a first round bye. The Tigers finished second (14-1) and host either Madison or Wiscasset. Other Western C preliminaries include fifth-ranked St. Dom’s (11-3) hosting 12th-seeded Winthrop (5-10) and sixth-place Livermore Falls (11-5) hosting 11th-seeded Mt. Abram (8-8).

In Class D, Buckfield earned the top spot for the 14th time in 19 years, but this season was a little more unusual.

After two straight Class D state titles, the Bucks had a new coach and only had a player or two back that saw regular action.

“Our goal was to be a competitive team this year,” said Coach Ken Farrington. “It has surprised a lot of people and even ourselves that we have a chance to make a run at it.”

The Bucks went 12-3 this year, matching last year’s win total.

“We’re a young team that played really well this year,” said Farrington. “They play with a lot of heart. They’re a good young little team.”

The Bucks will host the winner of the NYA (2-11)-Rangeley (6-6) quarterfinal next week.

You know the Eastern A field is deep when teams like Leavitt (12-4) and Medomak (11-5) draw each other in the preliminary.

“I don’t think it matters what bracket you’re in,” said Leavitt coach Pete Higgins. “I looked at both brackets. There are teams that can win the whole thing. There are six or seven teams that could go all the way.”

Lewiston (11-5) drew the sixth-seed and hosts 11th-ranked Hampden (7-9). Oxford Hills (8-8) finished 12th and plays at fifth-ranked Messalonskee (13-3).

In Class B, Gray-New Gloucester (14-2) secured the top seed for the second time in four years. The Patriots host the winner of the Gorham-Wells prelim. Fifth-ranked Oak Hill (12-4) also earned a first round bye but plays at fourth-seeded Lake Region (14-2) in the quarterfinals.

Seventh-ranked Poland hosts Lincoln Academy (8-8) in Tuesday’s prelim.

“Coming in at 11-5, we can not be happier,” said coach Susan Robbins.