Timing isn’t everything, but certainly it is Leavitt’s friend as the Hornets readjust to Class B football.

A year ago, the Hornets were in-between juggernauts, if you will. Talented but junior-dominated, they surprised a few people (perhaps those who hadn’t been paying attention for many years) on their way to a Class C South championship.

Up in Class B, meanwhile, Marshwood faced few challenges, storming to a dozen consecutive victories and its first state title in a quarter-century.

Now the powerhouse programs are in the same division of the Campbell Conference and on seemingly equal footing as they prepare for Friday night’s showdown at Libby Field in Turner. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Leavitt (3-0) is the team loaded with seniors and putting up the big offensive numbers, although the Hornets have been streaky. They have pulled away in the second half for consecutive wins over Westbrook (22-21), Morse (43-14) and York (36-6).

Marshwood handled Biddeford (21-7) and Greely (35-12) before stumbling at home a week ago against previously winless Westbrook in a 16-13 loss.

It’s tempting to look at those numbers and draw the conclusion that the Hawks aren’t what they were in 2014. Like the Hornets of a year ago, however, they have been relatively impressive while breaking in newcomers nearly everywhere on the depth chart.

Jack Spear leads the Wing-T at quarterback. Zach Doyon is the Hawks’ chief running threat, with Justin Stacy providing the change of pace.

Senior linebacker Nick Tice tops Marshwood’s defense.

Leavitt made a quantum leap defensively last week with the return of injured safety Billy Bedard, who assumed a central role in stuffing York’s outstanding tailback, Cullen McCarty.

The Hornets forced five turnovers in the win over the Wildcats. Defensive tackles Adam Smith, Chandler Lajoie and Kevin Knight, linebacker Hunter Sirois, defensive end John Rousseau and defensive back Christian Callahan joined Bedard as disruptive forces.

Spread offense remains Leavitt’s statewide identity, and Levi Craig’s touchdown numbers (eight passing, three rushing) are on pace with last season’s staggering total of 42. Max Green is the most prolific deep threat in the conference.

Sirois’ emergence as a power running threat supplies a second look that might have been missing from the Hornets’ arsenal a year ago, complementing Craig’s ability to pick up tough yards running the option. Bedard’s return also gives Leavitt another all-purpose threat in the slot along with Julian Kirouac and D’Andre James.

Friday’s game is the end of a three-game homestand for Leavitt before a visit to unbeaten Falmouth and a first-ever trip to Waterhouse Field in Biddeford over the final three weeks.

It is also the first meeting between the schools since 1984, when Marshwood routed Leavitt, 51-0, in the Class C state championship game. The Hawks were champions of the Southern York League and the Hornets undefeated in the Mountain Valley Conference. Champions of those divisions met each year in the final at that time.

koakes@sunjournal.com

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