DIRIGO COUGARS
Coach: Craig Collins (fourth year)
Class: 8-man Small; Region: South
Last year’s results: 7-3, reached regional final.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Isiaah Bradeen (OL/LB), Wyatt Hamner (TE/DE); Juniors — Nathaniel Wainwright (RB/FS), Andrew Wisecup (OL/DL) Dakota White (RB/DE).
Key losses: Charlie Houghton, Trent Holman, Bode Gray, Trenton Hutchinson, Dakota Tompkins.
Promising newcomers: Junior — David Searles (OL/DL); Sophomores — Caiden Skidgell (QB), Brady Philbrick (RB/DB) Trevor Crosby (WR/DB), Tanner Bradeen (RB/LB), Owen Smith (RB/DB) Gio Patterson (OL/DL), Ethan Olsen (RB/LB) Hunter Emmons (TE/LB); Freshmen — Leighton Waite (WR), Hudson Lufkin (QB, LB).
Season outlook: The Cougars are a young team that lost several players at crucial positions, but they also return many key players with varsity experience. Collins said the team has been working hard to prepare for the season, and that the Cougars’ goal is to improve throughout the fall.
GRAY-NEW GLOUCESTER PATRIOTS
Coach: Mike Caiazzo (first year)
Class: 8-man Large; Region: South
Last year’s results: 3-5, reached regional quarterfinals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Nick Geer (DE/TE), Brady Castrucci (RB/CB); Junior — Kobi Conant (QB/CB); Sophomores — Brody Tracy (LB/TE), Isaac Ormberg (LB/WR).
Key losses: Mikey Ryan, Miles Post.
Promising newcomers: Junior — Isaiah Raymond (WR); Freshmen — Kody Tracy (CB/WR), Cole Prescott (QB/CB).
Season outlook: The Patriots are looking to improve upon last season. First-year coach Caiazzo said that playing as a unit will be the key to the team’s success. The Patriots have speed at important positions. Caiazzo said Gray-NG should be in the middle of the pack in 8-man Large South but hopes to improve enough to contend for the top stop in the region.
MOUNTAIN VALLEY FALCONS
Coach: Patrick Mooney (fifth year)
Class: 8-man Large; Region: North
Last year’s results: 8-1, reached 8-man Small South semifinals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Kaden Paaso (LB/RB), Jyyrmal Yates (S/RB), Lucas Libby (LB/RB), Seneca Jones (S/RB). Juniors — Rilan Farnum (DE/TE), Julien Byam (DE/TE), Owen Gaudette (DT/G), Bradley Sirois (S/RB), Tyler Warren (LB/RB) Sophomores — Dylan Theriault (DT/T)
Key losses: Robert Leveillee (S/RB), Jesse Vining (DT/T).
Promising newcomers: Sophomores — Wesley Baltrus (OL/DL), Brody Finnan (DT/C).
Season outlook: The latest round of reclassification has moved the Falcons up to 8-man Large, where they will play in the North division. Mooney said their objective will still be to build off last season’s success and that the team views the new conference and opponents from larger schools as new sets of challenges to contend with each week. Mountain Valley graduated only two seniors, and while that includes 8-Man Small South MVP Leveillee, the Falcons also return a lot of experience and veteran leadership that Mooney hopes will benefit the team from the beginning of the season.
SPRUCE MOUNTAIN PHOENIX
Coach: Jordan Hersom (first year)
Class: 8-man Large; Region: North
Last year’s results: 5-3, reached regional quarterfinals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Brody Souther, Brandon Wilson, Laeton Ready; Juniors — Eli Moffett, Max Labonte; Sophomores — Kolby Cotton, Austin Armandi.
Key losses: Reece Davis, Elie Timler, Garret Hunt, Ethan Wyman.
Promising newcomers: Seniors — Peyton Medrano, Darian Chapman, Robert Hanson, Tyler Gould; Junior — Brandon Cooper; Sophomores — Blake Simoneau, Evan Hamilton, Ayden Wetherell, Colin Gonzalez, Izaiah Hiscock, Luke Goding, Cole Watts; Freshman — Dylan Jewett, Caden Frazier, Owen Kelvey, Mason Harlow, Trent Lovewell, Levi Richards, Landon Hatch, Thomas Ackley, Damien Durrell, Caleb Watts.
Season outlook: The Phoenix, led by new coach Jordan Hersom, are a young squad without much returning varsity experience. They open the season against Waterville and Yarmouth, the two teams that played for the 8-man Large state title last year. Hersom said the Phoenix are looking forward to facing those great teams because it will force Sprucce to elevate its level of play.
TELSTAR REBELS
Coach: Tim O’Connor (17th year)
Class: 8-man Small; Region: South
Last year’s results: 3-5, reached regional quarterfinals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Cruze Kimball (OG/DE), Kimball Coolidge (Slot), Izaac Greenberg (Split End/LB/CB), Wyatt Lilly (Split End/CB), Myles James (C/DE), Gavinn Martin (S/LB/RB), Holden Monzo (LB/DE/TE); Juniors — Hunter Winslow (CB/RB), Brody Walker (QB/LB); Sophomores — Gage Berry (NT/G), Hunter Koskela (DE/G), Landon Bryant (G/DT).
Key loss: Will Doyle (QB).
Promising newcomers: Freshman — Sawyer Coffin (G).
Season outlook: O’Connor said he is leaning on the seniors a lot this year while the Rebels bring their less experienced players along. Gavinn Martin will be a standout on both sides of the ball, and Wyatt Lilly made big plays at receiver last year. Doyle will be difficult to replace, but Brody Walker gained some experience at quarterback in Telstar’s JV games last year. The defense — with Cruze Kimball and Gage Berry in the middle and Martin and Holden Monzo flowing to the ball — should be the team’s strength. O’Connor expects Old Orchard Beach and Maranacook to be the favorites, but he said that the Rebels, if they play well enough, can compete with both teams.
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