Newsletter #52...Great start to fall
The fall sports season is a week old and has already produced many memories.
On the gridiron, reigning Class A state champion Thornton Academy got off to a dominant starts, while Class B champ Westbrook began with a down-to-the-wire win over Cheverus. Class C champion Greely rolled in its opener, then finally met its match. Elsewhere, Falmouth took Kennebunk to the wire, Freeport and Portland rolled to victory and Cape Elizabeth and Yarmouth impressed in early eight-man action.
On the pitch, Class A boys' soccer is off to wild start, as Deering upset Gorham, Scarborough settled for a scoreless tie against Noble, Cheverus appears poised for a big turnaround and Falmouth, South Portland and Thornton Academy also have to be taken seriously. In Class B, reigning state champion Yarmouth and Greely played to a thrilling draw Wednesday in the rain.
On the girls' side, Cape Elizabeth's 18-game unbeaten streak ended with an opening loss at Yarmouth, which appears to be the team to beat, at least in early action. Freeport, which has high hopes, is also out to a fast start in Class B South. In Class A South, the beat goes on for the likes of reigning regional champion Scarborough and perennial contenders Gorham and Windham. Deering sophomore Matilda Freeman dazzled with a six-goal game in a victory over Biddeford.
Cheverus' field hockey team is up to its usual tricks, as its regular season unbeaten streak has reached 76 after downing Falmouth and Scarborough. Despite predictions to the contrary, Freeport and Yarmouth are still the teams to beat in Class B South.
Gorham's three-time reigning champion volleyball squad rolled to straight-set victories in its first two matches, then edged Thornton Academy in a thrilling state match rematch. Highly-touted contenders Scarborough and Cheverus also look great in the early going. In Class B, Greely and Yarmouth engaged in a five-set classic in the opener, won by the Rangers.
Here are links to the game stories I've produced in the early going:
Westbrook holds off Cheverus in opener
Gorham girls down TA in Higgins' debut
Gorham boys start by blanking South Portland
Freeport field hockey rolls past GNG/NYA
Nasveschuk sisters lead Yarmouth past Greely
Yarmouth girls ride big second half past Greely
Leavitt dominates Greely, ends Rangers' win streak
Hail to the Spring Players of the Year
You may have missed it, but back in July, HHSS named Players of the Year for baseball, softball and boys' and girls' lacrosse.
The winners were presented with T-shirts and a couple have been distributed (with two more to come).
Baseball- Hunter Finck, Gorham
Boys' lacrosse- Hayden Davis, Falmouth
Features
Every Monday, HHSS, in conjunction with partner cPort Credit Union, will name a "Player of the Week." The first winner this school year is Westbrook football standout Cole Tanner.
Michael Hoffer
Each Tuesday, HHSS releasee Super-Six polls for football, field hockey, boys' soccer, girls' soccer and volleyball. The first polls were released earlier this week.
Michael Hoffer
Media
My first WJAB radio spot of the year, from last Friday:
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Spots on on WGAN will resume Tuesday..
The first HHSS Podcast of the new school year came out last weekend. Tim and I previewed the fall sports season.
Michael Hoffer
Predictions
No Patriots pick this week. Unfortunately I was correct on the opener. What a brutal loss that was. I assess the blame 50 percent to Drake Maye, 40 percent to Josh McDaniels and 10 percent for whoever didn't have Christian Gonzalez covering JSN on that ridiculous 4th-and-1 play which led to Seattle's lone touchdown.
On to a happier topic, here are my picks for this week's high school football games (9-3 last week):
Greely over Leavitt (played Thursday)
Cape Elizabeth over Mt. View
Oxford Hills over Deering
Winthrop over Freeport
Biddeford over Gorham
Portland over Scarborough
Thornton Academy over South Portland
Westbrook over Marshwood
Windham over Sanford
Yarmouth over Spruce Mountain
Cheverus over Falmouth (Saturday)
Upcoming
Looking ahead, the next week brings an abundance of compelling games.
Friday, we have a big early-season field hockey showdown, as Thornton Academy goes to Gorham. South Portland's football team hosts Thornton Academy in a top gridiron matchup.
Saturday, Cheverus football team plays its first game on its new turf field, as Falmouth pays a visit. Both teams suffered painful losses in week one and desperately want to avoid starting 0-2.
Monday brings a showdown of longtime volleyball contenders, Cape Elizabeth at Greely.
Tuesday sees a pair of girls' soccer showdowns/playoff rematches: Scarborough at Windham and Freeport at Cape Elizabeth, as well as a great volleyball matchup which sees Gorham go to Scarborough.
Wednesday is highlighted by a city boys' soccer battle between ancient rivals Deering and Portland at Fitzpatrick Stadium.
Thursday, Cheverus' field hockey team will be tested by the Sanford/Kennebunk co-op squad, while Biddeford pays a visit to Gorham. Cheverus at Thornton Academy could be a possible volleyball playoff preview.
Enjoy the weekend, everyone. See you right back here, next Friday.
Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffersports@yahoo.com
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