Livermore Falls’ defense has yet to be tested like it will tonight when it lines up against Boothbay, but the Andies can only play the schedule they’ve been given.

They’ve taken what they’ve been given and added a lot of round numbers. Round as in zeros.

Head coach Brad Bishop’s starting defense has surrendered just one touchdown through the first three games. Tom Durrell, Ryan Webster, Matt Brochu and Mark O’Shea have led the Andies’ athletic and opportunistic 4-4 scheme.

“We’ve got quite a bit of speed and we’re creating more turnovers than we’re giving up,” Bishop said.

The Andies are averaging more than two turnovers a game on defense, and their ball-control offense, grateful when given an extra opportunity, are averaging more than 37 points per game. Fullback Brad Bryant has found the end zone six times and halfback Karlton Jones has scored four times to pace Livermore’s deep backfield.

“We have a lot more balance. Webster, Jones and O’Shea run real well, so I don’t think teams can key on one guy,” Bishop said.

Rough road

The Oak Hill Raiders will finally reach the conclusion of their grueling first-half schedule tomorrow night against Leavitt. Not that the second half gets too much easier, but three of the Raiders’ first four opponents are a combined 8-1.

Coach Bruce Nicholas is reminding his team that a 1-2 start doesn’t mean that his team isn’t capable of playing good football with the Pine Tree Conference’s elite teams.

“It’s been a tough beginning of the season with Brewer, Belfast and Leavitt all on the road and I think you have to talk to your kids about that so they don’t kind of lose it,” he said.

Nicholas will have to sit out Saturday’s game serving a mandatory one-game suspension after being ejected from last week’s game against Brewer.

Finally, TDs for B/D

Buckfield/Dirigo has scuffled out of the gate, but coach Al Cayer said his team isn’t getting discouraged despite the 0-3 start. The team went winless until Week 5 last year, so Cayer and his staff said their goal this year is to cut that back by a week and get in the win column this week in game four against Madison.

“The attitude is awesome,” Cayer said. “The kids haven’t given up in a single game, even the (54-0) Boothbay game.”

Cayer decided to shake up his offense a little after going scoreless through the first two games, implementing a run-and-shoot style to get sophomore QB Jamie Henderson as involved as possible. The change put them on the right track last week as Henderson was 11-19 with one touchdown through the air and on the ground.