Randy: All right, time to put it all on the line and make some playoff predictions, Lee.
In Class A, I’ve got Bonny Eagle and Edward Little. I am not comfortable with either pick.
The Scots rolled through A South for seven weeks, then suffered a couple of key injuries and got rolled for big play after big play by Scarborough. But that will just serve to tick the Scots off, provided they get healthy.
The Red Eddies didn’t lose a game until last week, either, but they had a lot more close games than Bonny Eagle did. Class A North might be the most competitive playoff bracket, but the Eddies were the most balanced and consistent team all season. And having home field will be a big help.
I’d call A North the most up-for-grabs tournament if not for Class B North. Five teams — Skowhegan, Lawrence, Cony, Messalonskee and Brewer — all have a legitimate shot. I’m going with Skowhegan just because I want the potential for an Arena Football score in every round.
B South looks like it comes down to two teams — Marshwood and Kennebunk. They played a nail-biter that the Hawks won, 15-12, two weeks ago, and I think they’ll prevail again in the final.
C South is Leavitt’s to lose as long as they have their health. The Hornets have beaten all of their pursuers and you know they would dearly love another shot at Mount Desert Island. They won’t get it, unfortunately, because Winslow already beat the Trojans once and the Black Raiders are usually even tougher to beat in the postseason.
Class D South is the easiest pick — Wells. The Warriors could probably win Class C again. Madison appears to be their biggest obstacle (although getting by Lisbon won’t be easy if they meet in the semifinals). The Warriors have the defense and clock-killing running game to beat the Bulldogs for a second time this season.
Foxcroft Academy hasn’t lost to D North yet this year (the Ponies two losses came against Madison and Maine Central Institute). That will continue through the playoffs.
A lot of chalk there. But six of eight No. 1 seeds have gone to states every year since we went to four classes, and I’m a trend follower if nothing else. What say you?
Lee: First, let me take a moment to applaud the tri-county area’s three A North teams — Edward Little, Lewiston and Oxford Hills — for earning the top three seeds in the region. I don’t think one person in the entire world would have predicted that.
I want to bag on you for picking the Red Eddies when there are so many possible bold picks to be made in A North. But, when I go to make those picks, I eliminate potential teams and am left with Edward Little. The truth is, any of the six teams — EL, Lewiston, Oxford Hills, Windham, Cheverus and Portland — can win the region. The Eddies are the most complete team, and that sets them apart. But, as the world saw last week when Lewiston shellacked EL, there is no guarantee.
I’ll go through the rest quickly. I’m sticking with Bonny Eagle in A South. That loss to Scarborough will probably only sharpen the Scots.
I’m going with Skowhegan in B North for the same reason as you: that offense. In B South, I pick Kennebunk because it has a score to settle not only with Marshwood, but also with the state title game, having lost in it last year.
C North will be MDI again. They’ll get Winslow at home this time. Leavitt will win C South if, like you said, they are healthy. They’ve suffered some injuries the past few weeks to important players.
I’ll go with Foxcroft in D North. In D South, I’ll be interesting and pick Madison. Remember, the Bulldogs led Wells by a few scores in their regular season meeting.
Randy: Ooooh, go out with an upset. I like it.
The A and B finals seem easy to pick on paper. Based on how the South has fared in the crossover battles, Bonny Eagle and Marshwood should roll.
Class C would be very interesting if it ends up as I predicted. Leavitt and Winslow have a history, not just in the state game but as former conference rivals, and they don’t particularly care for one another. I’ll be a homer and pick the Hornets. In Class D, Wells will pull off the rare back-to-back in different classes feat that I seem to recall Marshwood doing first back in the 1980s.
A lot can and will happen between now and then, though. That’s what makes the high school football playoffs so great.
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