While the rest of central Maine wraps up its regular season, the Class B contingent of the Pine Tree Conference gets an early start on the postseason this weekend with four enticing playoff contests.
From top-seeded and undefeated Winslow to No. 8 Oak Hill, these eight teams have emerged from one of the most balanced league’s in recent memory to vie for the right to represent Eastern Maine in the state championship in three weeks.
It is because the PTC was so deep this year that Leavitt coach Mike Hathaway warns against reading too much into the seedings.
“Winslow’s beaten all of the top teams in the league, so I’d say they’re the favorite,” said Hathaway, whose second-seeded Hornets host No. 7 Hampden Academy Saturday night. “I think you could see some early upsets because the league is so balanced. We feel like we can play with anybody, then there’s Gardiner who’s playing really well. You’ve got a couple of teams getting healthier. Waterville is going to get their quarterback back and (QB Kyle) Stilphen’s coming back for Gardiner.”
The quality and intensity are only going to increase from here on. Here’s a closer look at all four games, starting with the local representatives…
No. 8 Oak Hill (3-5) at No. 1 Winslow (8-0), Saturday, 1 p.m.
The last time these two teams met in the playoffs, two years ago, Winslow was the top seed and Oak Hill the heavy underdog. Oak Hill tried to throw a few wrinkles at Winslow, including an onside kick to start the game, but the Black Raiders prevailed with a 47-19 win.
Oak Hill may have a few tricks up its sleeve again Saturday. If they do, chances are QB Josh Jillson or running backs Zac Eaton and Wally Rines, or some combination thereof, will be involved when they’re unveiled. The Black Raiders don’t have to rely on a lot of gimmicks and gadgets because they have three of the league’s top breakaway threats in John Goulette, Justin Lindie and Jared Maroon.
No. 7 Hampden Academy (4-4) at No. 2 Leavitt (7-1), Saturday, 7 p.m.
The teams haven’t met since Week 1 of last year, and the Broncos have taken on almost an entirely new look. First-year head coach Harry McCluskey has changed their offense and, in recent weeks, personnel, removing Chris Morris from the starting QB assignment in favor of Shawn Smith, who is more of a pocket passer. Som Ratskongsky is a bruising fullback out of the Broncos’ wing-T and was one of the league’s leading rushers early in the season, but he has been too banged up to play offense in recent weeks. He’s still a force on defense, along with Drew Chase.
The Hornets have won seven in a row and boast the stingiest defense in Eastern B (8.6 ppg). Ben Boulay (PTC leading nine sacks), Mike Austin (7.5 sacks) and Tyler Angell will try to disrupt the Broncos whether they run a single-back offense with Ratskongsky or the shotgun formation they utilized in his absence. Leavitt’s offense is also capable of throwing multiple looks at a defense. Angell, who led the league in passing and was second in rushing and scoring, is the primary spark but is surrounded by numerous igniters, including Chris Brewer and Corey Witham.
No. 6 Gardiner (4-4) at No. 3 Brewer (6-2), Friday, 7 p.m.
Interestingly, this is the only contest between teams that met during the regular season. Brewer won the Week 3 battle, 22-16. Ricky Porter, the Witches’ senior QB, had a big night that night and ended the season third in the PTC in rushing with 850 yards (11.8 yards per carry). Stilphen showed no ill effects last week playing with a bone chip between his middle and ring fingers and a sprained knuckle, as he completed 6-of-10 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown in just the first half of the Tigers’ 41-6 win over Morse.
No. 5 Waterville (5-3) at No. 4 Belfast (5-3), Friday, 7 p.m.
Speaking of banged-up quarterbacks, Waterville is 1-2 since their signal-caller, Dan Hussey, was knocked out of its game with Leavitt with a shoulder injury three weeks ago. Hussey was well on his way to reaching the 1,000 yard-milestone in passing and rushing before going down.
As it turned out, Belfast running back Sean Leeman was the only player in the PTC to reach four figures (1,100 yards) in the rushing column.
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