Class A

Oxford Hills and Mt. Blue squared off in a nail-biter of an Eastern A quarterfinal game last fall. The Vikings came out on top. Both teams should be in the playoff mix again this year.

Oxford Hills has a solid core returning. Mt. Blue continues to creep up the KVAC and Eastern A ladder. The Cougars have 10 seniors and 14 upperclassmen back.

Bangor, Brunswick and Mt. Ararat will continue to be powerhouse teams, while Waterville was in the top four last year and should contend this season.

Both Lewiston and Edward Little are trying to improve. The Blue Devils  return 11 players and hope to build on last year’s four wins. EL had a rare down season but brought back 10 players with a lot of strength and experience in the midfield and up front.

Class B

Former EL coach Wally LeBlanc’s team at Falmouth is coming off a state championship win and should contend once again. York, Yarmouth and Freeport should be in the playoff mix as well out of the Western Maine Conference. Poland has a strong group with 16 returning players. The Knights have a new coach but have consistently been able to earn a playoff spot despite a tough schedule. Gray-New Gloucester is hoping to build off last year’s 4-9-1 record with the return of 12 upperclassmen.

In the KVAC, Morse was the No. 1 seed at 14-0 but lost in the regional final. Maranacook lost to the Shipbuilders in the semifinal and should be a strong club again. Leavitt continued its run of winning seasons, earning the fourth seed before losing to the Black Bears. The Hornets return 13 players and should be able to produce another successful fall.

In the MVC, Spruce Mountain reached the preliminary round before losing to Lake Region. The Phoenix have most of their club back but lost all-star scorer Lexi Deering. Mountain Valley has a strong defense led by an experienced group of upperclassmen. Oak Hill debuts in the MVC with 13 returning players and an experienced midfield.

Class C

St. Dom’s won its first regional title and lost in the Class C state championship game in overtime. The Saints graduated 11 players but return a number of veterans from that title team.

Dirigo should be another force in the MVC. The Cougars return their top scorer and a defense that backstopped Dirigo to a 13-0-1 record before losing in the semifinals.

Lisbon, Monmouth and Mt. Abram were also playoff squads last year. The Greyhounds return 13 from a quarterfinal squad but some will step into larger roles this year. The Mustangs have 10 players back and have an experienced group that lost in the quarterfinals. The Roadrunners reached the preliminary round and are excited about taking another step forward this fall.

Madison won the MVC title last year and should be solid once again. Telstar’s club team has gone varsity and gets to measure up against a tough MVC schedule.

In the WMC, Waynflete lost to St. Dom’s in overtime in the regional final. The Flyers lost some key talent but will be good enough to challenge for the top spots in Western C.  Sacopee Valley will be a threat again while NYA might be poised for a significant step back into the playoff hunt.

Class D

Richmond and Greenville met in the regional final last year and a rematch isn’t unlikely. Both clubs will be contenders again.

Rangeley went 4-6-2 before losing to the Bobcats in the semifinals. The Lakers are young but still have a solid returning group that should put them in the playoff hunt. Buckfield missed the postseason but hopes to improve enough to challenge for a tourney spot.

Copy the Story Link