What struck me the most about the game was the way Falmouth successfully used the read-option with its quarterback, Jack Bryant. Not all of the runs were long, but they were effective. The Leavitt defense had trouble stopping the zone-read, even when the Hornets knew it was coming.

Many high school teams have used the zone-read offense to success, and it has become a staple for some college programs (see Louisville and star QB Lamar Jackson). Even the last two weeks we’ve seen it work in the NFL. The Patriots used it against the Texans in Jacoby Brissett’s NFL debut, then it was used against the Patriots at times by Tyrod Taylor and the Buffalo Bills.

So what do you think makes the zone-read offense so hard for defenses at every level to stop?

Horton: In the zone-read, it’s almost like a quarterback gets to see the other players’ cards before knowing whether to hold or fold.

I’m no defensive coordinator, but I assume that it kind of becomes a guessing game for the defense — initially, at least. Then, a second or two into the play, the defenders have to react to what they see, or what they think they see.

In a way, I’m surprised that it isn’t more widely used at the high school level. Maybe running it isn’t as easy as it looks.

So you were impressed by Falmouth’s quarterback; what about local players? Other than Edward Little’s receivers, whom we’ve talked about plenty. For me, for starters, it is a trio of Oxford Hills/Buckfield players. Starting with running backs Ryland VanDecker and Dawson Stevens. The Vikings have a straightforward offensive approach: they run the ball straight, forward and up the middle. It’s fun to watch, though, because of how VanDecker and Stevens are able pick up chunks of yards. VanDecker is especially pleasing to watch for the old school in all of us. The other impressive Viking is Connor Bickford. As a tight end in the aforementioned offense, Bickford doesn’t get to shine too often, but I’ve seen him make some plays on both sides of the ball. He’s 6-foot-5 and quite the athlete.

Kramlich: It’s hard not to get mesmerized seeing Lisbon quarterback Tyler Halls slash and dash. And when the Spruce Mountain offense is clicking (which it is right now) it’s hard to match the Phoenix’s team speed.

From a more traditional approach, I was impressed by the power in which Dirigo’s Cooper Chiasson ran the ball against Maranacook, Oak Hill’s Matthew Strout is one of the more powerful running quarterbacks I’ve seen, and Boomer Simmons doesn’t quit for Gray-New Gloucester. Against Spruce Mountain a couple weeks ago, there were a few plays where he looked like he would be stopped for negative yards, yet found a way to get it back to the line-of-scrimmage or for positive yardage. And bringing it back to Lisbon, brothers Noah and Lucas Francis can both bowl over any helpless defender.

I am looking forward to covering Saturday’s Oak Hill at Lisbon game. That should be a football fan’s dream.

So, are you all-in on Maine high school football yet? Are you hooked?

Horton: I’ve had the good fortune of covering six entertaining games. I’m six-for-six. So I’m hooked.

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