Not the first time this has been said about me, but partner-in-crime Randy Whitehouse and I were spoiled rotten in 2009.

I don’t mean we were getting offered free chili and cheeseburgers at every snack shack. Well, maybe ‘House was. And if that’s the case, I expect him to show journalistic integrity and declare it both to the tax authorities and the payola police.

Actually, being treated to not one but two teams-for-the-ages in our tri-county region felt equally criminal. Having the opportunity to write about the Leavitt Hornets and Dirigo Cougars every week was an embarrassment of riches.

But fame is fleeting as a Maine autumn. That season, though ’twas one that players and reporters will recount someday while their grandchildren wallow in mind-number politeness (OK, horror) is over.

Time to scrub the chalkboard, clean the erasers and wonder out loud if there’s any way the 2010 season will even approach ’09’s vapor trail.

Don’t hold me to it, but I think we just might be pleasantly surprised. Here’s one man’s overview of what we can expect when Super Saturday rolls around in November:

Class A

Windham joined the list that includes Noble, Sanford and Massabesic — schools that loaded up with a splendid senior class and walked off with a Class A championship in the last 15 years.

With the exception of a winning season here or there, we’ve never heard from those upstart programs again. The challenge for the Eagles: Putting themselves on a much shorter list with Bonny Eagle and being able to sustain that championship level.

There’s a consensus out there that believes the Eagles can do it, although it’s hard to imagine after the departure of University of Maine-bound Jackson Taylor and Fitzpatrick Trophy winner Jack Mallis.

If not Windham, who? Cheverus’ slow climb to the top under proven championship coach John Wolfgram could be complete. Portland may have finally slain the Deering monster and reclaimed its place as the public school power in Maine’s largest city. And yes, Bonny Eagle has a better-than-average shot of getting back to the state game for the fifth time in seven years.

Less discussion and uncertainty prevail in the East. It’s all about the ‘U,’ as in the University of, errrrr, I mean Bangor High School. The Rams returned to the top with authority in 2009 after a five-year absence. Tough to see anyone standing in their way, within the borders of the Pine Tree Conference or beyond.

Prediction: Bangor 20, Cheverus 14.

Class B

Like him or not, you can’t escape ESPN’s Chris Berman. And if you’ve followed the career of the most self-important member of the world’s most self-absorbed network, you’re probably aware that his annual Super Bowl prediction is a joke.

Throughout the 1990s, it was 49ers-Bills every year. Pretty sure we’ve been on a Patriots-Eagles run for the last five or six seasons.

Not that I want to be compared to Mr. Bombastic (although I think we’ve been on the same Nutty Professor yo-yo diet for years), but I’m starting to get that way with my annual forecast of a Leavitt-Mountain Valley state championship game.

I’m just nostalgic for a rivalry that’s never going to come back, especially now that reclassification is imminent. Morse messed it up two years ago. Cape Elizabeth cluttered my picture last season.

Logic and the law of averages say Leavitt can’t do it again, but compare the Hornets’ roster to anyone else in Eastern B and tell me they’re not the favorite.

As for the West, it’s simply a matter of the river valley gang developing enough offensive linemen to stay ahead of York, Wells and Cape. Because nobody circles the wagons like the Mountain Valley Falcons.

Lord, help me.

Prediction: Leavitt 34, Mountain Valley 20.

Class C

Winthrop is this year’s Dirigo. The Ramblers reloaded and reached the semifinals after winning a regional title in 2008. Now they have 19 senior starters.

Dirigo is this year’s Winthrop. The Cougars have Spencer Ross, some quick linemen and a boatload of freshmen and sophomores who will be championship caliber, in time.

Lisbon is Lisbon. Good enough to win it all if the Greyhounds stay healthy.

Oak Hill and Maranacook have the two most prolific returning running backs in the West. Livermore Falls and Jay boast experienced lines. Yarmouth put itself on the football map last fall.

My instincts tell me to go with seniors in the West. Knowing what I know about the East tells me to flip a coin: Heads, Foxcroft; Tails; John Bapst.

Which leaves us with …

Prediction: Foxcroft 26, Winthrop 21.

To our fellow fans: Enjoy the games. Hope to see you on the sidelines.

To all teams: Good luck. Spoil us rotten.

Kalle Oakes is a staff columnist. He supported reclassification before reclassification was cool.