12 Dec 2025 5 min read Newsletters

Newsletter #26...Game time

It's been a quite a stretch.

Generally, the end of the fall sports regular season produces a bit of a break, but not this year.

Seemingly, since early November, it's been a case of writing about the end of the fall season, fall sports all-stars, or previewing winter sports.

All of that content was finally completed this week.

Now, it's time to simply enjoy the games.

Saying an official goodbye to fall sports was difficult, considering how many memories were made.

Trying to get an early grasp on winter sports is difficult, as it appears that more teams than ever have what it takes to excel.

Of course, all of that will come into focus in the weeks to come.

In the meantime, I encourage all of you to get out and support your local teams.

You won't regret it.

More signings

The college signing season is ongoing and two more Scarborough athletes had their moment in the spotlight this week.

Wednesday, field hockey standout Sabrina Ocampo announced that she'll play next season at Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire. Ocampo plans to study psychology.

"I chose Franklin Pierce because of the academic opportunities, course dynamics and the team environment," Ocampo said.

Thursday, track star Isabella Harmon announced she'll compete for the University of Connecticut and study engineering.

"I was drawn to U. Conn because it offered a combination of competitive athletics, strong academics and amazing team culture," said Harmon. "It stood out as a place where I could push myself on the track while preparing for a life after college."

Elsewhere, Cape Elizabeth's boys' soccer standout Harry Converse, a member of our all-star team, announced this week that he'll play next year at Wheaton College.

In case you missed it...

Recent stories for your perusal:

Girls' basketball preview: https://www.hoffershighschoolsports.com/hoffers-high-school-sports-2025-26-girls-basketball-preview-were-in-for-a-memorable-campaign/

Boys' basketball preview: https://www.hoffershighschoolsports.com/hoffers-high-school-sports-2025-26-boys-basketball-preview-local-powers-face-new-challenges/

Boys' hockey preview: https://www.hoffershighschoolsports.com/hoffers-high-school-sports-2025-26-boys-hockey-preview-local-squads-loaded-with-talent/

HHSS football all-star team: https://www.hoffershighschoolsports.com/hhss-football-all-star-team/

Cheverus girls roar back, beat South Portland in opener: https://www.hoffershighschoolsports.com/cheverus-gi/

South Portland boys' dramatic rally beats Cheverus: https://www.hoffershighschoolsports.com/south-portland-boys-cheverus/

Freeport girls no match for Gray-New Gloucester in opener: https://www.hoffershighschoolsports.com/gray-new-gloucester-girls-roll-at-freeport-in-opener/

Westbrook boys beat Falmouth in opener: https://www.hoffershighschoolsports.com/westbrook-boys-hit-their-stride-beat-falmouth-in-opener/

Waynflete girls surge late to beat NYA: https://www.hoffershighschoolsports.com/waynflete-girls-pull-away-late-for-win-at-nya/

Waynflete boys outlast NYA in up-tempo affair: https://www.hoffershighschoolsports.com/waynflete-boys-turn-to-their-stars-to-defeat-nya/

Cheverus girls get hat trick from freshman Logan Curry in win over Beacons: https://www.hoffershighschoolsports.com/cheverus-discovers-scoring-punch-rolls-past-beacons/

Media

Tuesday's WGAN spot with Matt Gagnon:

https://wgan.com/morning-news/hoffers-high-school-sports-12/

Prediction

My popular, prescient Patriots pick 9-4 for the season.

This week's guess:

Patriots 27 Buffalo 24.

I really think this could go either way, but ultimately I have more faith in Vrabel than McDermott and believe that Drake Maye is going to make a clutch throw to give the Patriots an improbable division title.

Lettttttsssssss Gooooooooo!!

Features

Hoffer's High School Sports, in conjunction with cPort Credit Union, named its first Winter Athlete of the Week Monday.

This week's selection was South Portland boys' basketball standout Gabe Jackson.