Mt. Blue High School hasn’t advanced to the Class A championship game since 1987, a year or two before most of its players were born. And if there’s one Pine Tree Conference rival the Cougars can “thank” for that distinction ahead of all others, it’s Bangor.
The Cougars have been a perennial playoff contender in that time, first under Ray Caldwell, and for the last decade-and-a-half with Gary Parlin wearing the headset. But their championship aspirations always seemed to collide with the Rams in October and November, frequently finishing in heartbreaking defeat.
Is Mt. Blue ready to stand up for an entire generation of Farmington football players? We’ll probably find out tonight, when the playoff-bound, unbeaten Cougars travel to Cameron Stadium to meet a twice-beaten Bangor team trying to avoid being shut out of the postseason for the first time in 14 years.
Bangor isn’t the only Eastern Class A playoff contender that can’t afford another loss. Lewiston is currently fourth in the Crabtree point standings, but with the logjam of teams in the middle of the PTC pack, beating Brunswick at home tonight and knocking off Edward Little next week are essentially a must.
There should be a November atmosphere in Boothbay Harbor tonight, as well, where suddenly vulnerable Winthrop encounters the longtime nemesis Seahawks. The winner could have the inside track to the fourth and final postseason berth in Western C. Meanwhile, over in the Class B division of the PTC, Leavitt and Oak Hill collide Saturday in Wales on the final afternoon of the regular season.
Here is a closer look at the local matchups:
Mt. Blue (6-0) at Bangor (4-2), today, 7 p.m.
Mt. Blue’s defense pitched its first shutout of the season last week, smothering Messalonskee, 21-0, in the rain at Caldwell Field. The Cougars have looked susceptible to the run, at times, but the gang tackling of Matt Burnham, Justin Lowe, Mike Toothaker and John Moloney seems to have Mt. Blue closer to last year’s stingy level.
There are no questions on offense, where senior QB Mason Barker is throwing the ball splendidly to Moloney, Art Trask and Hal Robbins, when he isn’t running it himself for big gains. Toothaker is one of the top ground gainers in the PTC, and the Cougars could get a huge boost if Hazen Pingree, who was in full uniform on the sidelines last week, can come back from his season-long knee injury.
Bangor had a bye week to recover from its loss to Lawrence. The Rams won four straight before that and are undefeated at home. QB Ian Edwards and RB Alex Gallant lead the offense, with senior captain Zach Murphy strengthening the secondary.
Winthrop (5-2) at Boothbay (4-3), today, 7 p.m.
The Ramblers could be in deep trouble with a loss, pending the outcome of their finale with Lisbon and Boothbay’s trip to Old Orchard Beach next week.
RB Tavis Hasenfus topped the 1,000-yard mark for his senior season last week, but the Ramblers were beaten soundly and surprisingly by Madison. Boothbay’s offense is tough to stop with QB Roy Arsenault throwing to TE Pat Norton, but the defense (25.4 points allowed per game) isn’t waterproof. QB Travis Frautten and RBs Russ Schmelzer and Jake Steele give the Ramblers a multi-dimensional attack.
OOB (5-2) at Lisbon (6-1), Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
Old Orchard Beach greatly enhanced its chances of ending a decade-long playoff drought with last week’s 31-30 win over Livermore Falls. QB Mike Perrone and RBs Dustin Bouchard and Kyle Murphy make the Seagulls soar. Murphy scored two TDs against Livermore. Bouchard also ran back an interception for a score.
The Greyhounds still haven’t allowed a Western C opponent to score double digits against them. DT Elijah Trefts is adept at stuffing the run, while Levi Ervin and Nick Adams aren’t likely to give OOB much freedom in the air. Ervin was kept off the scoreboard in last week’s 16-8 win over Jay, but QB Chris Brunick and RB Dan Willis are giving the ‘Hounds newfound balance on the ground.
Brunswick (2-4) at Lewiston (3-3), today, 7 p.m.
The Blue Devils have lost their top two QBs to injury so far this season. RB Jared Turcotte’s recovery from a knee sprain has been the good news. Defensively, Lewiston must find a way to contain the Dragons’ double-threat backfield of Adam Aube and Mike Martinez.
Leavitt (6-1) at Oak Hill (3-4), Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
Oak Hill pulled the upset last season, but the Hornets buzz into the rematch with six straight wins and a cache of all-conference performers that includes QB Tyler Angell, RB Chris Brewer and LB Mike Austin. The Raiders will miss RB Eric Daniels, who is out with a broken leg and was the heart and soul of Oak Hill’s defense.
Around the region
Somebody will get a win when Fryeburg visits Gray-New Gloucester. It would be an emotional victory, either way. The Raiders are playing their second game after their equipment was destroyed in a gymnasium fire, while the Patriots seek their initial varsity triumph. … Another team will celebrate its first win Saturday when Dirigo hosts Stearns in an interconference tilt. …
Oxford Hills looks for its fifth straight victory at home tonight against Mt. Ararat. The Eagles surprised the Vikings in last year’s season-opener … Mountain Valley should clinch home field in the Western Class B playoffs with a victory tonight over Lake Region … Livermore Falls would remain alive in the Western C chase by tackling Traip … Madison would like to play spoiler for the second straight week, this time hosting Jay … Poland looks to extend its school-record winning streak to four and hit .500 in a Saturday road trip to Cape Elizabeth.
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