All track and field season long, the performance lists and virtual meets that suggested what to expect in conference and state meets were overly generous to the Lewiston boys.

Some of the athletes showcased in those speculative rundowns left the team after posting their top-notch time or distance. Others were being counted in events they don’t customarily enter.

But after a KVAC championship meet in which the Blue Devils surpassed expectations, and then some, coach T.J. Niles now hopes that Lewiston’s substantial deficit to Cheverus in Saturday’s Class A state meet is overstated.

“I’m hoping we can just get winners,” Niles said. “I think there’s seven events we could probably win — the 100, 200, 800, mile, two-mile, 4×100 and 4×800.”

If Lewiston fulfills that best-case fantasy, yes, there’s a strong chance the Devils will be hoisting the trophy at Windham High School for the first time since 2006.

It could be a day of raucous celebration along the banks of the Androscoggin. One of those helpful-but-flawed virtual forecasts labels Lisbon the morning-line favorite going into what promises to be a sensational Class C boys’ meet at Foxcroft Academy.

Saturday is the beginning of a fateful four-day stretch for the Greyhounds. In addition to chasing an elusive state team title, the nine-time reigning MVC champion Lisbon teams await voters’ word Tuesday in a referendum to build a new track over the dirt oval surrounding Thompson Field.

“I think if could be a little bit of a stretch,” Lisbon coach Dean Hall said of the boys’ meet. “There are a lot of good teams. Orono is strong. Maranacook is strong. Sacopee Valley and NYA are strong, and again you’re talking about teams that train all year long on an all-weather track.”

Class B will hold its state meet in Brewer.

In Class A, Lewiston hopes to join Bonny Eagle as the first program to win multiple boys’ championships in the past 12 years. Cheverus hasn’t won states since it celebrated back-to-back crowns in 1997 and ’98.

The Blue Devils have the athletes to make Niles’ hopeful projection come true. Isaiah Harris is the heavy favorite in the 800 meters, having set the meet record a year ago as a sophomore.

Hassan Mohamed is rated fourth in the 100 and 200 and sixth in the 400, but Niles believes a one-two finish is within reach for Harris and Mohamed in the 200.

“If we win those seven events, that’s 70 points. It will probably take 80 to 90 points to win, so then we just have to fill it in spots where we can get multiple scorers,” Niles said.

Lewiston also has high hopes for sophomore Osman Doorow, who swept the KVAC 1,600 and 3,200, as well as its relay teams.

Interestingly, Niles didn’t mention his KVAC record-shattering 4×400 relay quartet, anchored by the sensational Harris, as one of Lewiston’s potential winners.

Those expectations are set a little lower than usual because a key runner, Daud Idow, will be missing.

“He has to go a family wedding in Africa. He told me a couple of weeks ago,” Niles said. “We’re trying to move people around to gain our most points. We’re probably going to run a weakened 4×4 at this point for the potential to score more points in other areas, to give us a shot and see if we can still win.”

Cheverus has potential event winners with Jake Dixon, seeded No. 1 in the 200 and 400; Nick White, favored in discus and shot put; and Isaac Yeboah, tops in both hurdle events and the 4×100.

“It’s my final season coaching at Lewiston, so I’m hoping maybe we can pull it off,” Niles said. “It’ll be really, really close. I think we probably need Cheverus to mess up somewhere.”

Edward Little is projected to have a shot a top-five finish on the strength of sprinters Hunter Martin and Trey Rogers and javelin throwers Cole Butler and Brandon Henry.

After a strong third-place finish at KVACs, Mt. Blue will compete with a skeleton crew due to its graduation, which is scheduled for Saturday afternoon. Nate Pratt-Holt (triple jump) and Josh Horne (distances) are still entered and among the co-favorites in their events.

The Class A girls’ meet should be a wild battle between South Portland, Bonny Eagle, Thornton, Brewer, Skowhegan and Scarborough. The Red Riots and Scots are virtually tied overall, based on past performance, and have clocked nearly identical times in the 4×400 relay that traditionally ends the meet.

Although not among the team favorites, KVAC champion Edward Little has multiple podium threats in Katie Ferrara (hurdles), Anna Beaudet (200), Britanee Nouchanthavong and Alex Hunt (javelin), Eraleena Hairston (shot put) and Taylor Landry (triple jump).

Lewiston’s girls, led by Jenny Martin and Heather Kendall, are seeded No. 1 in the 4×100 relay.

Lisbon has boys’ No. 1 seeds Charles Adams (300 hurdles),  Tyler Bard (race walk) and the 4×400 relay. Jordan Glover is No. 2 in long jump.

Henry Adams (400), Jeff Willey (race walk), and Cam Ramich and Bard (pole vault) also could provide crucial points. Orono, which hasn’t won states since 1997, may have the best chance to break Lisbon’s heart.

“You look at virtual meets and then a kid finishes sixth instead of fourth in his event,” Hall said. “Those are the kind of things that keep you awake at night.”

Josef Andrews (1,600 and 3,200) of Telstar and Marcques Houston (400) of Monmouth are pre-race favorites in their events.

The Orono girls are a heavy favorite to win their third consecutive title. Sydney Sirois of St. Dom’s (race walk) is the only local competitor seeded No. 1 in an individual event.

Waterville has the apparent inside track to its eighth consecutive Class B championship and sixth boys’ title in nine years.

Gray-New Gloucester’s Will Shafer, the defending boys’ 800 champion, is poised for distance showdowns with Ellsworth’s Dan Curts. Poland has championship contenders in both the boys’ and girls’ high jump with Cody Kostro and Hope Kohtala. Spruce Mountain’s Sam Brenner is No. 1 seed in the boys’ race walk, and Leavitt’s Shannon O’Malley could place in three girls’ events (100, 200 and 4×100).

Lake Region’s Kate Hall is top seed in the 100, 200, long jump and triple jump.

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