Newsletter #14...Halls of Fame and Hall of Fame efforts
Early game adversity and how you respond speaks volumes about an athlete.
Wednesday evening, Scarborough junior Vera DiSotto, the goalkeeper on the three-time reigning Class A South champion Red Storm girls' soccer team, conceded a goal in the seventh minute of her team's showdown at rival Windham.
And then, DiSotto got in the zone.
DiSotto made a series of highlight-reel saves, some which had to be seen to be believed, and she wasn't beaten again as Scarborough rallied and prevailed, 2-1.
"It's just about getting out there and going for it," said DiSotto, after the win. "I've always wanted to be in goal. I take a lot of pride in that. Now that I'm in goal, making big saves, it's a great feeling."
DiSotto's heroics were one of many instances of greatness in action so far this young season.
There have been tremendous performances on the gridiron, pitch, field and court and the best is yet to come, with some compelling matchups on the horizon.
If you missed any of our recent game stories, you can find them here:
Falmouth boys open with win at Cheverus
Bonny Eagle dominates South Portland in opener
Greely girls rally to edge Freeport
Freeport field hockey rolls at GNG/NYA
Zinman's hat trick leads Yarmouth over Greely
Gorham gives Biddeford a scare in a thriller
Falmouth boys hold off Windham
Cheverus downs Sanford in home opener
Scarborough blanks Falmouth to stay perfect
Football Hall of Famers
Both the Portland and South Portland Football Halls of Fame announced their 2025 induction class this week.
The Bulldogs will induct Lou Cavallaro Sr. (a 1960 graduate, who was an All-State selection in 1959), Keith Derrig (Class of 2003, the quarterback and safety on the 2002 Class A state championship team), Tim Discatio (Class of 1989, who was an All-State receiver in 1988 after catching a program-record 12 touchdowns), Tony Gignac (Class of 1977, an All-State lineman in 1976), Joe Kenny (Class of 1997, an All-State lineman in 1996, who is second in sacks in program annals) and Howard Reiche (Class of 1920, who was the captain of the 1919 team which played Harrisburg High for the national championship and later became the longtime principal at Portland High School.
The PHS Football Hall of Fame banquet will be held Wednesday, Nov. 26, at Keely's Banquet Center in Portland. It begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door.
South Portland's 2025 Football Hall of Fame class features seven individuals and one team:
- Maurice "Mo" Marceau (Class of 1949, All-State, four-year letterman, passed away in 2017)
- Bob Reid (Class of 1969, two-time All-State, went on to play at the University of Rhode Island, passed away in 2016)
- Andy Cloutier (Class of 1977, honorable mention All-American as a guard/linebacker, two-time All-State, three-year starter)
- Paul Gorham (Class of 1979, two-way All-State, became an All-Yankee Conference tight end at the University of New Hampshire and coached for over 30 years, passed away in 2018)
- Mark Pettingill (Class of 1984, All-American honorable mention, All-State and a four-year defensive back at the University of Maine)
- Mark Nigro (Class of 1985, honorable mention All-American at end, All-State)
- Bryan Harvie (Class of 1995, All-State quarterback who started 28 games and was a Fitzpatrick Trophy finalist in 1994, two years after leading the Red Riots to the Class A state title)
- 1992 team (undefeated state champions, who outscored the opposition, 402-86, while posting six shutouts. Produced Fitzpatrick Trophy winning running back Bert Rich).
South Portland's induction ceremony will be held Friday, Nov. 28 at 6 p.m., at the Sheraton Sable Oaks.
Gorham football fundraiser
Gorham's football team is playing host to Lewiston Friday evening and the game is doubling as Public Safety Appreciation Night, benefiting the Pooch Memorial Scholarship, in honor of Wayne "Pooch" Drown, an avid fan who passed away in 2019 and influenced many still involved with the program.
The Rams will wear a special uniform to bring attention and appreciation to public safety personnel. Donation jars will be available, as well as the 50/50 proceeds.
There will also be a pancake breakfast Saturday from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., at the Gorham Middle School cafeteria with $5 donations requested.
Farewell, Coach Seaver
Longtime Greely boys' basketball coach Travis Seaver announced Tuesday that he was stepping down as the Rangers' coach after 13 seasons, 177 victories and the 2017, 2018 and 2019 Class A state titles.
Seaver, a one-time Greely standout player and assistant coach to Ken Marks, was well known for his passionate approach to coaching and teaching and he and his teams won some unforgettable games over the years, including an exhausting and epic eight-overtime victory over Fryeburg Academy in 2023.
"Competing priorities from a career standpoint and the need and want to watch my twin daughters, who are now in high school, will be my focus," Seaver said. "I coached through summer and fully intended on coaching this winter, but I need to pivot a bit."
Predictions
It was an ugly start to the Patriots' season last weekend and I'm already 0-1 on my popular, prescient Patriots pick.
I don't have much faith in New England turning things around in Miami, its house of horrors:
Dolphins 24 Patriots 20
Turning to high school football, here are my picks for this week's games. I went 8-2 last week:
Cheverus over Messalonskee
Deering over Edward Little
Falmouth over Westbrook
Freeport over Medomak Valley
Gorham over Lewiston
Greely over Leavitt
Portland over Windham
Kennebunk over Scarborough
South Portland over Noble
Thornton Academy over Bangor
Yarmouth over Cape Elizabeth
Media
My recent radio appearances, for those interested:
Spot with Matt Gagnon of WGAN from Tuesday morning:
https://wgan.com/morning-news/hoffers-high-school-sports/
Weekly WJAB spot from last Friday:
https://thebigjab.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MMM-9-5-25-Michael-Hoffer.mp3
Daily features
It started this week and all season long at Hoffer's High School Sports, we'll have fresh, unique content every weekday, in addition to the myriad game stories.
This past Monday, HHSS, in conjunction with our partner, cPort Credit Union, named our first "Player of the Week," Cheverus junior running back Colton Jewett:
Michael Hoffer
Tuesday brought the release of Super-Six polls for football, boys' soccer, girls' soccer, field hockey and volleyball:
Michael Hoffer
Wednesday brought a preview of our "Game of the Week," Leavitt at Greely football:
Michael Hoffer
Thursday, longtime Thornton Academy football coach Kevin Kezal was the latest guest on Hoffer's High School Sports podcast:
Michael Hoffer
A new week is almost upon us.
Enjoy the weekend, everyone.
May we all experience as much joy as Avery Ingersoll and her teammates following Thursday's victory.
See you again right here, next Friday.
Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffersports@yahoo.com
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