AUBURN – The Western Maine Football League (Grades 7-8) is ready to kick-off a new season next week.

League President Doug Beck of the Auburn Recreation Department said 10 teams were originally in the fold, but Buckfield-Hartford-Sumner has already dropped out leaving 9 clubs in the circuit.

The entries are: Auburn Recs, AYS (Jay-Livermore), Dirigo, Gardiner, Lewiston, Mt. Blue, Mountain Valley, Oxford Hills, Poland-Minot-Mechanic Falls. There were 8 entries last season. Poland-Minot-Mechanic Falls is the new team for 2006. AYS is the defending champ, compiling a 7-0 record last fall. Oxford Hills was second at 6-1.

The league will kick-off Thursday, Sept. 7, with 3 games. Lewiston will host AYS at 4:00 at Lewiston Athletic Park; Auburn Recs will travel to Mountain Valley for a 7 p.m. game at the middle school; and Oxford Hills will host Gardiner at 4 p.m. at the middle school, One game is slated Saturday, Dirigo playing host to Mt. Blue at the high school at 11:30 a.m. Poland-Minot-Mechanic Falls has an opening week bye.