Class A

Most of the top teams from last fall took a hit at graduation, but should bounce back. Mt. Ararat was hit hardest, losing 14 seniors. With just a few starters back, the Eagles will have an abundance of new faces, but could quickly rebuild. Brunswick, Bangor, Waterville and Messalonskee lost half of what Mt. Ararat did. All four of those playoff clubs have voids to fill, but should be playoff-bound again and challenging for the regional crown.

Edward Little finished third in Eastern A last year, behind Bangor and Brunswick, but lost a lot of talent. The Red Eddies have players stepping into larger roles, but should be a thorn in the side of many of the KVAC’s top squads. Lewiston has more than 20 players back from last year and should be a threat. The Blue Devils finished eighth and expect to compete for another playoff berth. Mt. Blue lost its two all-state midfielders among 12 seniors. The Cougars will have to patch their lineup with younger talent but expect to compete and challenge for a tournament berth.

Oxford Hills won just three games, but is enthusiastic about its season. The Vikings are still young, but return 10 players and have hopes of making progress.

Class B

It will be a new look for the Leavitt boys, who drop down to a KVAC B schedule this year. The Hornets have experience and hope to be a factor in the conference. Teams like Camden Hills and Medomak Valley expect to be among the top teams in Eastern B, while the Western side should have the usual cast of squads, like Falmouth and Yarmouth on top. 

Lisbon, second in Western B last year with 13 wins, has holes to fill, but have enough talent back to make it a force in the MVC. Another Western B team to watch could be Oak Hill. The Raiders return nine of 11 starters and have hopes of challenging the top teams in the KVAC and Western B.

Mountain Valley is hoping to make significant strides as well, after winning six games and earning a preliminary game. The Falcons return a dozen players and are strong up front and on defense.

Both Gray-New Gloucester and Poland are young teams hoping to improve. The combined team from Madison and Carrabec could provide a new look to the MVC.

Class C

The MVC got a whole lot more interesting with the addition of St. Dom’s to the mix. The Saints have been a perennial favorite in Western C for years, but now the MVC clubs get to try to measure up on a regular basis.

St. Dom’s has eight starters back and should be a team to watch in Western C. Mt. Abram won 11 games and was the top seed before losing in the regional final. The Roadrunners graduated a wealth of experience from that club, but should still be a team that could make some noise.

Telstar graduated eight seniors and lost 10 players overall from a club that won nine games last year. The Rebels will try to rebuild and battle for a playoff berth. Livermore Falls was fourth overall last year and returns a solid nucleus of talent that should keep them in the MVC mix as well.

Dirigo has much of its lineup back and should improve on its five wins last year. Other teams to watch should be Georges Valley, Wiscasset, North Yarmouth Academy and Sacopee Valley.  Both Jay and Monmouth have young teams, but hope to improve and be competitive.

Class D

Richmond and Vinalhaven should be two of the top clubs in the EWC. Buckfield and Rangeley had five and four wins, respectively, but should improve and be playoff bound once again. Both squads have a solid nucleus of talent back that should keep the Bucks and Lakers within reach of the Western D elite.