2023 11-man football preview capsules

EDWARD LITTLE RED EDDIES
Coach: Rick Kramer (second year)
Class: A; Region: North
Last year’s results: 2-7
Returning athletes: Seniors — Daulton David (OL/DL), Gavin Therriault (WR/DB), Jack Pepin (WR/LB), Drew Smith (WR/LB), Kenzie Grenier (OL/LB), Jacob Grealish (QB/DB), Kade Masselli (WR/DB), Christino Catchuva (DL), Connor Irish (WR/DB), Keegan Olcott (RB/DL), Lamar Bovan (WR/DB); Juniors — Hunter Baker (RB/LB), Bennett Dubois (WR/DB), Kaiden Dulac (OL/DL), Caden Freeman (OL/DL), Mayson Larochelle (RB/DL), Landon Thomas (RB/LB), Davon Pontoo (WR/DB), Bjorn Sandberg (OL/DL), Alex Duchette (DL), Austin Smith (OL); Sophomores — Dawson Breton (WR/DL), Ben Carr (OL/DL), Aiden Ducette (WR/DB), Gabie Langlier (OL/DL), Jack Martin (OL/DL), Christian Rodriguez (QB/DB), Elijah Simmons (OL/DL), Jordon St. Peter (RB/LB), Lyric Veinott (WR/LB), (Caden Westhoven (OL/DL).
Key losses: Jon Yoka, Tulibari Monday, Hunter LaChance, Austin Sellinger, Tyler Grenier, Lucas Paulina, Caden Garry, Tate Morse.
Promising newcomers: Seniors — Camren Dufour (OL/DL), Jack Dionne (OL/DL); Kayla Therriault (PK); Juniors — Dominic Harris (OL/DL), Zach Garry (OL/DL); Sophomore — Jacoby Bonin (QB/DB); Freshmen — Evan Madigan (QB/DB), Karter Poisson (RB/LB), Latvian Bushman (WR/DB), Kholson Alexander (OL/DL), Tanner Melanson (WR/LB), Reece Hopping (OL/DL).
Season outlook: Kramer, heading into his second season as head coach, said the Red Eddies aim “to go reckless, stay loose and score in 2023. The only way for us to do that is M.A.G.I.C. — Making A Greater Individual Commitment.” Edward Little wants to improve last year’s record and compete for a playoff berth. Kramer said that achieving that will come from “improving our physical preparedness, mastering skills, building teamwork, and developing a can-do spirit.”

LEAVITT HORNETS
Coach: Michael Hathaway (22nd year)
Class: C; Region: South
Last year’s results: 11-0, Class C state champions.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Noah Carpenter (QB/S/K/P), Maddox Demers (TB/OLB), Jace Negley (G/DT), Mason Twitchell (G/LB), Nash Angstrom (T/DT), Colten Taylor (RB/ILB), Aiden Turcotte (Slot/CB), Will Keach (Slot/OLB), Matt Rementer (T/DT), Brandon Bilodeau (WR/S), Brendan Bickford (WR/DB); Juniors — Aiden Levesque (C/DT), Kavon Graham Jones (OL/DT), Landon Daigle (WR/CB), Landon Aasen (G/DT), Keegan Reny (RB/TE/LB), Josh Blais (TE/LB); Sophomore — Mason Henderson (Slot/DB).
Key losses: Brett Coburn, Dayton Calder, Beau Mayo, Sawyer Hathaway, Nick Morin, Parker Gilbert, Logan Levesque, Braxton Rowe.
Promising newcomers: Juniors — Joe Marden (Slot/DB), Camrin Libby (C/NT), Dane Cabral (WR/DB), Riley Meisner (WR/DB), Xazavior Gray (G/LB), Brock Poulin (QB); Sophomores — Reid Langlois (T/DT), Ian Garcia (RB/LB), Nick Mellen (TE/DE), Morgan Folsom (WR/DB), Brady Barclay (G/LB), Maddox Girard (T/DT), Reed Heutz (QB/DB), Asa Hodgkin (WR/DB).
Season outlook: The Hornets are coming of a perfect season for which an argument could be made that they were the top team in the state, regardless of class. They return six starters on both sides of the ball, including two of the state’s top players, Noah Carpenter (the Sun Journal’s Player of the Year) and lineman Jace Negley, and several impact players and others who played in big games last year. The key, coach Mike Hathaway said, will be aiming for “consistency and humility over complacency every day.” To that end, Leavitt’s schedule this season might be complacency-proof. It includes the top two Class A programs over the past two seasons, Oxford Hills and Thornton Academy, along with Lewiston, Lawrence, and Cape Elizabeth, Fryeburg, Cheverus and the rest of C South. “We can’t try to repeat what we did last year,” Hathaway said. “This is a new team on a new mission that has to be hungry and on the hunt every day.”

LEWISTON BLUE DEVILS
Coach: Jason Versey (second year)
Class: A; Region: North
Last year’s results: 5-4, reached Class A quarterfinals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — JJ Durr (OL/DL), Jayden Brown (OL/DL), Tafari Corson-James (RB/LB), Michael Klick (QB/DB), Kenny Foss (RB/DB), Adam Benson (OL/DL); Juniors — Joe Dube (TE/DE), Jeffrey Randall (RB/QB/LB), Gage Parent (OL/DL), Ryker Paradis (TE/DE), Braiden Blais (OL/DL), Deion Jackson (WR/DB), Dylan Whitlow (C/LB); Sophomores — Jayden Sands (RB/DB), Demonte Spearman (RB/LB), Christian Rosario (WR/DB).
Key losses: Eli Bigelow, Wyatt Valley, Farid Muhammad-Aceto.
Promising newcomers: Juniors — Jackson Bement (RB/DB), Lonnie Thomas (QB/S), Dylan Whitlow (OL/LB), Michael Caron (WR/K/DB); Sophomores — Jayden Sands (RB/DB), Demonte Spearmon (RB/LB), Jermare Spraggins (OL/DL), Christian Rosario (RB/DB); Freshman — Collin Churchill (OL/DL).
Season outlook: The Blue Devils, coming off their first winning season since 2011, graduated their top offensive playmakers and don’t return much experience at the skill positions. However, they return a stalwart group of linemen — JJ Durr (6-foot-5, 250 pounds), Jayden Brown (6-2, 305), Ryker Paradis (6-4, 210), Joe Dube (6-2, 230), Gage Parent (5-11, 245) and Braiden Blais (5-10, 230) — and second-year coach Jason Versey said offensive and defensive line play will be the team’s strengths this season and will lead the way while the rest of the team finds its footing. The team’s goal, Versey said, is to become a playoff team. “Our expectation each season is to compete at a high level each and every week and play our best football by the end of the regular season and earn our way into the playoffs.”

LISBON GREYHOUNDS
Coach: Chris Kates (seventh year)
Class: D; Conference: South
Last year’s results: 7-4, Class D runner-up.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Adam Hayes (WR/CB), Emmett Mooney (LB/RB), Chris Lavelley (WR/LB), Caden Morales (WR/DB); Juniors — Demetrius Clark (OT/DE), Kaiden Lavalley (OL/DL), Caleb Hayes (RB/DB), Michael Bobrowiecki (OL/DL), Jayden Camp (RB/LB).
Key losses: Colby Levasseuer (RB), Josh Carter (RB), Canaan Cameron (TE/DE), Jack Ramich (FB/LB), Landon DeWildt (OL/DL), Owen Smith (OL/DL), Ethan Berube (OL/DL), Ben Ridley (LB), Brandon Bailey (DL), Ethayn Roberts (WR/DB), Payden Ventry (DB), Connor Turcotte (LB), Jordan Cabral (WR).
Promising newcomers: Senior — Kaden James (OL/DT); Juniors — Cody Osmand (WR/DB), Brady Keefe (OL/DL), Dylan Bailey (OL/DL), Hayden Versey (QB/DB); Sophomores — Aiden Fortin (OL/DL), Jacoby Tuplin (LB/RB), Keeghan Morrisette (QB), Hunter Ladd (OL/DL).
Season outlook: The Greyhounds lost several starters from last year’s squad that made a run to the state final. Their vaunted run game, in particular, has been depleted. However, Lisbon always seems to find ball carriers and linemen to keep the ground game going. Coach Chris Kates said the team’s objective will be “to improve as the season goes on,” and the program’s recent history has shown that the Greyhounds tend to do just that.

MT. BLUE COUGARS
Coach: Matthew Friedman (second year)
Class: B; Region: North
Last year’s results: 3-6, reached regional quarterfinals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Charles Stevens (Captain, TE/OLB), Alex Rackliff (Captain, TE/RB/S), Warren Allen (C/DE), Klay Dunning (QB/S), Cole McCourt (TE/OLB); Juniors — Steven Galkowski (Captain, RB/S), Dane Cousineau (Captain, RB/OLB), Trey Bailey (WR/CB), Sophomores — Josh Hayden (OL/DL), Sam Rackliff (OL/DL).
Key losses: Jayden Meader, Ike Wrigley, Cowen Young, Tyleek Blauvelt, Dylan Farmer, Hayden Durrell.
Promising newcomers: Senior — David Wrigley (OL/DL); Juniors — Bode Markham (TE/LB), Tucker Bates (OL/DL), Nathan Armstrong (OL/DL); Sophomores — Tucker Fitch (QB/S), Chandler Hiscock (WR/CB).
Season outlook: The Cougars lost 14 players to graduation but return five offensive starters and six defensive starters. They’ll have new faces and quarterback — sophomore Tucker Fitch — and running back, but return three of their top receiving threats. Second-year coach Matthew Friedman said the key to improvement this season will be “developing more consistency on offense and improving the level of defensive play.” He also said that Mt. Blue hopes to contend for a spot in the top half of B North and earn a home playoff game.

OAK HILL/ST. DOM’S RAIDERS
Coach: Chad Stowell (third year)
Class: D; Region: South
Last year’s results: 2-7, lost in quarterfinals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Adam Hinkley (RB/LB), Hunter Drew (TB/DE), Jonah Pepin (RB/LB); Juniors — Kaiden Delano (TB/LB), Colton Davis (G/LB), Forrest St Laurent (G/DE), Nate Dillman (RB/LB), Gage Spier (WR/CB), Logan Langlois (TB//LB), Mason Dubois (T/DT), Rylie Coburn (T/DT); Sophomores — PJ Smith (WR/S), Levi Marks (WR/DE), Isaac Graham, (WR/CB) Gavin Sheehy (C/DE), Eli Desmond (WR/LB) Braden Dubuc (WR/QB/DB).
Key losses: Alex Hinkley, Cooper Scott, Josh Spencer.
Promising newcomers: Seniors — Morgan Kauffman (WR/DB), Dylan Spier (OL/DL); Junior — Natalee Lemay (RB/LB); Sophomores — Carson Morin (T/DT), Wyatt Goucher (C/DT), Brilee Hillard (T/DE), Bryce Bubier (WR/DB), Mason Jordan (OL/DL), Matt Fectau (K); Freshmen — Andrew Lemay (OL/DL), Isaac Adams (G/LB), Joe Greenwood (RB, LB), Kai Taylor (QB).
Season outlook: Stowell said the Raiders have small but deep rosters with several underclassmen who saw significant varsity action last season. He said there is depth at running back with “a lot of different style of runners,” and that the running game will carry the offense early in the season. Defensively, he said the tackling must be better than 2022 for this season to be successful. Adam Hinckley and Hunter drew have been leaders so far for the team, which has added St. Dominic Academy as a co-op partner this fall.

OXFORD HILLS VIKINGS
Coach: Mark Soehren (12th year)
Class: A; Region: North
Last year’s results: 11-0, Class A state champions.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Jake Carson (LB/RB), Holden Shaw (OL/DE), Alex Bartlett (L/DE), Brady Truman (QB/FS), Hunter Tardiff (RB/LB); Junior — Eli LaVerdiere (TE/DL); Sophomore — Brayden Murch (WR/DB).
Key losses: Elias Soehren, Lincoln Merrill, Zach Louvat, Tanner Bickford, Mekhi Hill, Lucs Clark, Grayson Foster, Teigan Pelletier, Connor Cram, Trey Morrison.
Promising newcomers: Seniors — Nick Binette (WR/DB), Logan Spencer (WR/DB), Owen Marr (OL/LB), Etian Arfirat (OL/DE), Kopen Grenier (OL/DL), Dawson Mason (OL/DL); Juniors — Carter Wyman (QB/DB), Brady Delamater (WR/DB); Sophomore — Malachi Sparks (OL/LB).
Season outlook: Oxford Hills claimed its first state title in 2022 in dominating fashion. The Vikings graduated several key players, including Fitzpatrick Trophy winner Eli Soehren and Gaziano Award recipient Zach Louvat, yet they still expect to be competitive with every team they face this year hope to make another deep run in the playoffs. Though they lost a lot, the cupboard is far from bare. New starting quarterback Brady Truman started multiple games when Soehren was injured last year, throwing for more than 1,000 yards and keeping the offense playing at a high level. Hunter Tardiff, who had a pick-6 in the state championship game, and Jake Carson played key roles as linebackers and in the running game last year. “We still have good size and athleticism overall,” coach Mark Soehren said.

POLAND KNIGHTS
Coach: Gus LeBlanc (fourth year)
Class: D; Region: South
Last year’s results: 4-4, reached Class D quarterfinals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Isaac Ramsdell (RB/DB), Regan Cohen (RB/LB), Nick Aube (E/DE), Egan Whitten (HB/DB), Andre Desrosier (E/LB), Cadyn Langlois (WR/DB), Dylan Cook (QB/DB), Emma Martin (C/DL), Cailean Mceachen (E/LB), Dodge Lafrenia (G/DL), Nicole Rioux (G/DL), Tom Gagnon (G/DL); Juniors — Liam Fifield (E/DL), Nolan O’Driscoll (G/LB), Griffen Spurr (T/DL); Sophomores — Landon Cooper (WR/DB), Damon Martin (QB/DB), Damion Gerding-Shaw (T/DL).
Key losses: Lagan O’Driscoll (QB/DB), Eli Alexander (G/LB), Mason Brousseau (G/DE), Brady Lawrence (C/DE), Brady Martin (RB/DB), Shane Yorkey (RB/DB).
Promising newcomers: Lucas Verrill (HB/DB), Lukas Gayton (QB/DB).
Season outlook: With nine returning starters on offense and eight on defense, the Knights are aiming to move up from the middle of the pack in Class D. Their defense was stout last year, ranking second in points allowed in Class D, and should be a strength this year. The offense features two QBs that coach Gus LeBlanc calls “strong and skilled,” and the running backs are fast and skilled. The key for the offense will be improving its consistency and utilizing the team speed. “We look to be competitive in Class D football,” LeBlanc said.

WINTHROP/MONMOUTH/HALL-DALE/KENTS HILL RAMBLERS
Coach: Dave St. Hilaire (10th year)
Class: D; Region: South
Last year’s results: 6-4, reached Class D semifinals.
Returning athletes: Senior — Avry Jones (G/DL); Juniors — Braden Branagan (QB/CB), Carter Rivers (RB/CB), Cody Cobb (RB/LB), Hunter Reynolds (OT/DE), Barrett Perkins (C/DT), Cole Bard (TE/LB), Chummy Williams (G/DE), Logan Hall (WR/DB), Ryan Wells (WR/DB), Ian Fuller (OT/DT); Sophomores — Ben Porter (WR/S), Brock Dewar (G/DE-LB), Brady Shuman (WR/LB), Brody Adams (RB/DB), Isaiah Trott (OT/DT), Jacob Feith (QB/LB), Brady Hatch (WR/CB), Dylan Weymouth (OL/DT).
Key losses: Dominic Trott, Owen Harding, Robby Feeney, Orion Mercado, Nick Keezer, Brayden Stubbert, Isaac Oliveira, John Gray, Sam Bourne, Gavin Gregor, Kolby Reynolds, T.J. Mihalakis, R.J. McKenzie, Andrew Fay.
Promising newcomers: Seniors — Ethan Smith (RB/LB), Zack Braithwood (OT/DT), Zach Chapman (P/K), Ty Rykhus (WR/DB); Juniors — Trevor Buck (WR/LB), Carter Collin (WR/LB), Trent Collin (QB/WR/S), Will Grant (P/K); Freshmen — Ross Fichthorn (RB/LB), Lucas Rice (WR/DB), Gabe Beauchesne (WR/DB), Isaac Aube (WR/DB), Carter Rand (RB/LB), Abe Vachon (RB/S), Collin Berube (WR/DB), Dylan Roy (TE/LB), Cole Gauthier (G/LB), Jake Galusha (TE/DE), Logan Warner (C/DE), Vinney Moren (RB/CB), Maks Praschak (OT/DT), Korbin Littler (WR/CB), Connor Jean (G/DE), Aidan Hickey (OL/DT), Danny Hickey (OL/DL).
Season outlook: The Ramblers, who add Kents Hill to their welcoming co-op, are young and return only two starters from last season, Barrett Perkins and Avry Jones. However, they remain talented up front and in key skill positions. The program always seems to have multiple effective running backs, and this year will look to Coby Cobb and Carter Rivers to carry the load. New QB Braden Branagan also is a running threat. Ben Porter and Cole Bard are expected to be the top receivers. Mixing in the young and inexperienced players, and getting them up to speed, will be crucial this season. Coach Dave St. Hilaire said the Ramblers “will be learning on the fly with quite a few freshmen and sophomores being called on for varsity action.”