September is almost in the rearview mirror and the arrival of October means that the autumn season of sports is just kicking into gear.
It won’t be long until the first champions are crowned, as the state golf tournament is a week away, and for everyone else, making plays will be the focus.
Here’s a look at where things stand as September progresses:
Freeport’s Nick White catches a pass during the Falcons’ home win over Medomak Valley on Saturday. Gregory Rec / Portland Press Herald
On the gridiron, Freeport bounced back from a close loss to Wells with a 19-0 win over Medomak Valley on Saturday to improve to 3-1 on the season. Aidan Heath hit Nick White with a 6-yard touchdown pass for a 6-0 lead in the first quarter.
“I really want to thank my line for giving me the time,” Heath said. “We’ve been practicing that throw all week and that’s practice. And I want to thank my receivers for returning those balls.”
Jordan Knighton made it 12-0 on a 5-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, then had a 4-yard TD rush in the fourth quarter and the Falcons defense did not allow a single point.
“Defensively, they played hard tonight,” said Freeport coach Paul St. Pierre. “It was one of the things we didn’t score in our normal game, so we need guys to step up in other areas.”
The Falcons go 2-2 at Fryeburg Academy on Friday.
Falmouth also rebounded with a 39-8 home win over Messalonskee on Friday. Finn Caxton-Smith and Indi Backman each ran for three touchdowns and combined for nearly 300 yards.
“I think it was one of our most important games of the season to win,” Caxton-Smith said. “After losing to the Cape (Elizabeth last week), we had to go into this feeling like we didn’t know if we were going to win or not. We had to step it up.”
“It was a great night for football,” Backman said. “It was cold. I love the cold. My friends don’t like it so much. The line was amazing today.”
The Navigators (3-1) have a crucial 3-1 showdown with Windham on Friday.
Yarmouth remains undefeated in the eight-player large school division, barring visiting Mt. Wild Desert Island, 50-46, to go 4-0. Michael McGonagle stole the show with 433 yards rushing on 47 carries and five touchdowns. Spencer LaBrecque added three TD runs.
“I’m definitely tired, but I’ve never been happier with a win,” said McGonagle. “We definitely earned it.”
“I can’t believe how tough (Michael) is,” said Yarmouth coach Jim Hartman, who earned his 100th career win. “You can’t afford that.”
The Clippers go to 3-1 Morse on Saturday.
Grely (0-3) received a bye last week. Rangers visit Mt. Ararat (3-1) Friday.
Falmouth’s Michael Christman heads the ball during Monday’s loss to Scarborough. Michael Hoffer / For Forecasting
Yarmouth’s two-time defending Class B boys soccer team extended its winning streak to six games to 6-0-1 after beating Fryeburg Academy 4-0 last Thursday. Luis Cardoso, Lucas Minnihan and Truman Peters all scored in the fourth goal for the Raiders “own goal”. The Clippers are back in action Wednesday at home against Wells. After visiting Gray-New Gloucester on Thursday, Yarmouth has a showdown with Cape Elizabeth on Tuesday of next week (see pressherald.com/forecaster/forecaster-sports/ game story).
Grely has won three straight and is 4-2-1 heading into a three-game showdown at Class C state championship Waynflete on Tuesday (see pressherald.com/forecaster/forecaster-sports/ for game story). Last week, the Rangers defeated visiting Gray-New Gloucester (2-0) and Sacopee Valley (7-0). Tommy Bennert and Tate Nadeau scored twice for the Patriots. In the win over the Hawks, Ethan Njitoh scored three goals, while Bennert, Nadeau, Keegan Hale and Ben Hanson also scored for the Twins. Grely travels to York on Thursday and hosts Fryeburg Academy on Monday.
Freeport was 2-2-3 after a 3-0 win at Fryeburg Academy and a 3-3 tie at Gray-New Gloucester last week. Israel Boffay scored all three goals in the win. Against the Patriots, Emmanuel Omeme scored two goals and Owen Rusiecki scored the other. The Falcons visit Waynflete on Thursday and go to York on Tuesday of next week.
Falmouth was undefeated last week, then beat Gorham (2-0) and Thornton Academy (3-0) at home. On Monday, the Navigators beat unbeaten Scarborough 2-0 to drop to 4-3 on the season. Against the Red Storm, Falmouth got eight saves from freshman goaltender Caden Berry, including several juicy pucks, but he hit just one shot.
“You look at our roster and we’re young,” said longtime Falmouth coach Dave Halligan. “We will learn from this. We are good at playing teams like this. We are better at playing the top teams than some of the other teams.”
Navigators looked to get back on track Tuesday in Windham. After hosting Cheverus Friday, Falmouth travels to Biddeford on Tuesday of next week.
“We have a strong freshman and sophomore class and the seniors have done a great job leading the way,” Halligan said. “Even when we don’t win, we will still fight and be in the games. We get experience.”
NYA dropped to 2-5 after Saturday’s 4-1 loss at Waynflete. The Panthers host Lake State on Tuesday, welcome Richmond on Wednesday, then travel to Sacopee Valley on Friday.
The North Yarmouth Academy girls’ soccer team celebrates a goal by Leah Dube (19) during last week’s first ever win over rivals Yarmouth. Ben McCanna / Portland Press Herald
On the girls side, NYA enjoyed a historic win last week and remained undefeated at press time. The Panthers, three-time Class D state champions, hosted rival Yarmouth last Thursday and for the first time in program history, beat the Clippers, 4-1. Angel Huntsman set up Anna Belleau, then scored herself. After Yarmouth got on the board, Leah Dube answered seconds later, then Emily Robbins made a free kick to end the second half.
“I came here last year not knowing Yarmouth’s reputation, but it was great to beat them, especially on the field,” Belleau said.
“This shows that we can do anything if we all put our minds to it and work as a team,” said Dube.
“Every year I’ve been here, it’s been a draw or a loss for Yarmouth,” Huntsman said. “It’s always close. Senior year, I wanted to finish with a win, so it feels great. We had to get it this year.”
“This is huge,” added NYA coach Ricky Doyon. “It’s amazing, it really is. The girls played really well today and we played against a really good team. We had some wins and we took advantage of our opportunities.”
On Friday, the Panthers improved to 6-0 after holding off visiting Waynflete, 4-3. Belleau scored twice, while Robbins and Sarah Moore (who played goalie in the win over Yarmouth) also scored.
“We did what we needed to do,” Doyon said. “We played a bit tired today. We didn’t press as much as we could, but it doesn’t always look pretty. “
NYA hopes to extend its undefeated streak to 27 on Wednesday when it travels to Richmond. On Friday, the Panthers host Sacopee Valley and next Tuesday, Old Orchard Beach pays a visit.
“We have to step it up,” Doyon said. “We will build on this. We want to continue to develop.”
Yarmouth lost 4-1 to NYA, then improved to 5-2 with a 4-0 win over Fryeburg Academy. For the Panthers, Ava Feeley scored, but the Clippers could not stop the Panthers attack. In the win, Feeley scored all four goals. After going to Lake State on Tuesday, Yarmouth will face Gray-New Gloucester at home on Friday and welcome three-time Class B champion Cape Elizabeth in a key contest on Monday.
Gray-New Gloucester (4-1) and Sacopee Valley (6-1) at home after a 5-2 victory over the Patriots, Abby Lennox scored twice and Lili Pierce and Eva Williams added one each. . For the Hawks, Avery Bush and Molly Partridge each had two goals, while Lennox and Shaylee O’Grady each added one goal. The Rangers host Wells on Tuesday, welcome York on Thursday and travel to Fryeburg Academy on Monday.
Freeport improved to 3-4 after winning at home last week against Fryeburg Academy (3-0) and Gray-New Gloucester (2-1). For the Raiders, Taryn Curry, Emily Olsen and Pearl Peterson had the goals. Peterson and Rosie St. Cyr scored in the win over the Patriots. The Falcons travel to Fryeburg Academy on Thursday, visit Wells on Saturday and host York on Tuesday of next week.
Falmouth dropped to 3-5 after last week’s losses to Gorham (4-1) and home games against Thornton Academy (2-0) and Scarborough (2-0). The Navigators visit Cheverus on Thursday (see pressherald.com/forecaster/forecaster-sports/ for game story) and host Biddeford on Tuesday of next week.
The Freeport hockey team improved to 3-2-1 after a 4-0 home win over Fryeburg Academy last week. Emily Groves scored three goals while Liv Christensen, Ellie Foss, Ava Gervais, Lilliana Larochelle and Sasha Nevils all added one goal. The Falcons go to Lake State on Wednesday, host York on Friday and welcome Cape Elizabeth on Monday of next week.
Yarmouth was 3-4 after a 5-1 home win over Poland on Monday. Sophie Smith scored a hat-trick while Sally McGrath and Celia Zinman both scored once. The Clippers are at home against Wells on Wednesday, then play host to Fryeburg Academy next Monday.
Grely dropped to 0-6-1 after last week’s shutout at Fryeburg Academy (3-0) and at home against Cape Elizabeth (2-0). Kate Parkinson made a dozen saves against the Raiders. The Rangers travel to York on Wednesday, host Gray-New Gloucester/NYA on Friday and play host to Wells on Monday.
Falmouth improved to 4-3 after a 1-0 win over Noble last week. After going to Thornton Academy on Tuesday, the Navigators host Windham on Thursday and visit Bonny Eagle on Monday.
The Yarmouth volleyball team had a three-year, 38-game winning streak last week. After improving to 6-0 with a straight (25-15, 25-21, 25-4) win over Cheverus, the Clippers were swept by Scarborough, the defending Class A team, in four games (14- 25), 25-22, 18-25, 13-25). Against the Stags, Dorcus Bolese had seven blocks and Madi Beaudoin had 15 points on the final serve. In the loss, Annie Vinnakota had 11 service points and five kills, Bolese had nine kills, Beaudoin had eight service points and Alla Elhai finished with 18 assists.
“We just came up against a Scarborough team that played at its highest level,” Yarmouth coach Jim Senecal said. “They did a really good job. We just have to keep hitting it, but it’s hard when you dig. We were on our heels and the first passes were not good. That means that the teams are not good enough and you are freely returning them to a big team that licks their chops. We couldn’t get enough of them because of their service and ability.
The Clippers host Wells on Thursday, travel to Brewer on Saturday and visit Falmouth on Monday.
“We feel as we look ahead to our schedule like we have opportunities to get more players to grow and learn different things,” Senecal said. “Hopefully we can learn from this and be ready for the end. There are a lot of good teams this year. Hopefully we can keep winning and be able to stay at home (in the playoffs).”
Hurry improved to 5-2 after last week’s straight-set (25-23, 25-14, 25-18) win over Brunswick. The Rangers host Westbrook on Wednesday, play host to Nokomis on Saturday and play at home against York on Monday.
Falmouth was also 5-2 after dropping straight (14-25, 21-25, 8-25) setbacks to Biddeford and 3-0 (25-11, 25-12, 25 -14) in a home win over Marshwood. Against the Hawks, Victoria Abbott had 10 kills and nine digs, Kani Gutter added 20 digs and four serves, Ginerva Marcoccio had 11 assists and Kylie Armer added seven kills and seven aces. A tough schedule lies ahead, as after hosting Cape Elizabeth on Tuesday, the Navigators travel to Scarborough on Thursday, host Gorham on Saturday and play Yarmouth on Monday.
NYA improved to 2-4 after beating Lewiston at home on Friday. The Panthers are at Lake State on Wednesday and visit Brunswick on Friday.
On the trails, Yarmouth hosted Traip Academy, Wells and York last week. The Clippers girls team took first place and produced first-place finisher Madeleine Jones (who had a time of 21 minutes, 45.6 seconds). Yarmouth boys came third behind York and Wells and featured Stuart Baybutt (third, 18:18).
Falmouth fielded six teams in the Westbrook meet. The Navigators boys took first place. Maeve Ginevan (20:49.47) and Fiona Hanrahan (21:05.78) were second and third individually. The boys finished third with Miles Woodbury (17:25.91).
The Festival of Champions in Belfast will be held on Saturday.
In connection, the Western Maine Conference Maine State Qualifiers were held on Tuesday.
Southwest Maine Activities Association state qualifiers are Monday next week.
The team’s state game is Saturday, October 8 at Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro.
Portland Press Herald writers Drew Bonifant, Steve Craig and Travis Lazarcyzk contributed to this story.
Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter: @foresports.
Cross Country, Falmouth, Field Hockey, Soccer, Free Field, Golf, Club, NYA, Soccer, Volleyball, Yarmouth
