Between the elections, the World Series and high school playoffs, everyone is making predictions these days.
For the last seven days, I’ve refrained from predictions, in order to sharpen my focus on the high school football playoffs. Apparently, I’ve had such tunnel vision that I missed a big lottery jackpot. But I am so confident in these free predictions that I guarantee they will make you as much money as giving someone a couple of bucks for a slip of paper with random numbers on it.
Class A: Thornton Academy over Oxford Hills
Thornton may be the easiest pick in the state. The Golden Trojans have steamrolled over everybody, even when they’ve been far from their best. Their coach, Livermore Falls’ own Kevin Kezal, knows how to keep a dominant team from losing focus in the playoffs.
Oxford Hills and Portland have the week off in A North, and it’s probably a welcome respite for both. They separated themselves during the season and during their Oct. 12 clash at Gouin Athletic Complex, which the Bullodgs won, 17-14. Portland’s defense was outstanding that night and all season, but given a second crack at it, I think the Vikings can raise at least one trophy at Fitzpatrick Stadium in November.
Class B: Marshwood over Cony
Class B North lived up to its unpredictable billing, but the Rams emerged as the best team, suffering just a one-point loss to Skowhegan.
Marshwood may have lost the game and home field in B South to Kennebunk last week, but the Hawks gained a chip on their shoulder and an idea of how the Rams were able to harass QB Tommy Springer in last week’s 17-14 Kennebunk win. The Hawks will make it back-to-back state titles and four out of five.
Class C: MCI over Leavitt
Before they met in the season-opener, many tabbed it a state championship preview. Then the Hornets rolled to a 28-0 win and everyone couldn’t drop it fast enough. But the Huskies haven’t been beaten in C North since and have a way of getting better in November.
The Hornets are not as predictable, but their Week 6 loss to Fryeburg Academy certainly got their attention and didn’t cost them home field for a possible rematch in the regional final. Fryeburg’s defense has been outstanding since losing to Lisbon in Week 1, but Leavitt’s has been stout in its own right. The offense should be up to the challenge if and when they meet the Raiders again.
Class D: Wells over Foxcroft
The Warriors had to sweat out one or two more games into the fourth quarter than last year. But the pressure they put on opposing defenses is just as relentless as it was last season. They haven’t lost a shootout yet, and it’s tough to see them losing one on their home field.
With a little help from the wind, Bucksport held Foxcroft to a season-low 21 points in a one-point Week 4 loss at home. Bad weather may help the Bucks again in a regional final in Dover-Foxcroft, but the Ponies still have the superior defense. A rematch in the state final seems likely, which is not necessarily a good thing.
Class E: Freeport over Dirigo
The (non-MPA sanctioned) playoffs expanded from four teams to six, and the two teams with a bye have an even bigger advantage than their cohorts in Classes A and B. The Falcons earned the top seed by beating the Cougars in Freeport, 34-14, in midseason. They’ll host the rematch, too, on their home field, where their speed and depth advantages are tough to overcome.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
