Oakes: So, like, I know we chose a verbal profession, but let’s get numerical this week. Four weeks complete mean that we are halfway (scary, huh?) through the high school football season. There are 78 varsity teams in the state, including one that already closed ranks for the year, but let’s gloss over that topic for now.
Twelve of those teams are still unbeaten: Portland, Brunswick, Skowhegan, Falmouth, Kennebunk, Old Town, Winslow, Cape Elizabeth, Yarmouth, Maine Central Institute, Medomak Valley and Oak Hill.
Thirteen have yet to win a game: Bangor, Oxford Hills/Buckfield, Massabesic, Lawrence, Nokomis, Gorham, Hermon, Freeport, Lake Region, Camden Hills, Stearns/Schenck, Boothbay and Telstar.
None of that is intended to jinx the former or humiliate the latter. It’s all information that is readily available on the trusty agate page, anyhow. My reason for reciting the list is to promote this week’s talking point: Which team in each category surprises you the most?
There are a couple of obvious contenders in each pod, but on the unbeaten side, how do you top Medomak Valley being 4-0 in its first varsity season? I know the Panthers are playing down one division in Class D North and won’t be eligible for the playoffs because of it. Starting the season with one-point wins over Bucksport and Stearns, teams that have played in state finals in this decade, though, is truly amazing.
Other than a home game on Oct. 10 against MCI (good luck with that), there’s nothing left on the slate that isn’t winnable. You don’t have to look far to see the evidence of how difficult it is to start and maintain a solid football program in any class, so Medomak making waves in its first official season is the story of the year so far, in my book.
As for the I-can’t-believe-they-haven’t-won-a-game-yet side of the equation, on what planet and in what sport would anybody expect Bangor to be winless at the halfway mark of a season? I know it’s a new coach, new regime, tougher schedule than the Rams faced in their PTC days, all that. From the years when they used to trot out 65 players and opposing coaches referred to them as the University of Bangor, however, ’tis a far cry. Having let the Edward Little and Lewiston games slip away, Bangor may be hard-pressed to avoid oh-fer unless they close the year with a win at Oxford Hills.
Which goose eggs most startle you, fine feathered friend?
Pelletier: OK, Mr. Oakes the Magnificent, I hate to do this (no I don’t), but I need to call you out on one of your preseason picks. Tell me, where did you have Falmouth ranked in Class B South? Ahead of Biddeford? Marshwood? Leavitt? York?
Didn’t think so. Falmouth has taken the season by storm and is now the front-runner in one of the toughest top-to-bottom collection of teams in the state by division. So as for a “surprise” team being unbeaten, there’s your No. 1.
And as much I embrace the “new” and the “change,” part of me is always surprised to see a team from Lawrence struggle to open a season like the Bulldogs have this year. I still have visions of state title celebrations in Fairfield dancing in my head. Don’t you?
Let’s turn this around and have some fun. By which programs are you least surprised?
I will go with a pair of obvious choices. Telstar is in tough with barely enough players to fill out the roster. It is admirable that the school and the boosters have tried so hard to revive the program, but it just isn’t working right now. On the other side, MCI came back this season absolutely loaded, and has proven as much in the early going. The Huskies may not lose this year. At all.
Oakes: Nope. Whoever wins Class D South will win states. And along those lines, Oak Hill hasn’t surprised me a bit. The only surprise that ever emanates from that camp is what wrinkle Coach Stacen Doucette will add to the offense each week with the goal of picking apart another defense. I heard a lot of skeptical “what will they do without Kyle Flaherty and Alex Mace?” chatter, but the Raiders have a strong line, depth, athletes everywhere, and a team-first attitude that escapes so many others.
Sadly, other than Bangor and Lawrence, I don’t see anything on the 0-3 and 0-4 list that surprises me. When I look at those schools, yes, many of them are start-ups, and almost all of them are overmatched in their current enrollment division. I’ll say Nokomis, just to answer your question, since there is no way the Warriors can compete week-in, week-out in the PTC right now. But they aren’t alone, and it’s an issue that needs to be addressed.
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