Class A
Cheverus (11-0) vs. Lawrence (11-0)
When: 11:06 a.m. today
Where: Fitzpatrick Stadium, Portland
Key players: Cheverus — QB/S Cam Olson, HB/DE Don Goodrich, WR/CB Louie DiStasio, HB/LB Brent Green, T/DT Christian Deschenes, T/DT Charlie Rainville, TE/LB Ryan Casale, FB/DE Colie Walsh, G Mike Dedian. Lawrence — C/LB Josh Perry, HB/CB Shaun Carroll, UT/S Spencer Carey, QB/S Alex Leathers, DE Jake Doolan, T/DT Eriq Stewart, TE/DE Bryant Wade, WR/CB Aaron LaFrance, FB/CB Anthony Sementelli.
Outlook: This is the first meeting between Lawrence and Cheverus. Lawrence is back in the state championship game for the first time since 2007, while Cheverus is going for a second straight title and carries a 23-game win streak into today’s game. These are two of the best defensive teams in the state. Cheverus has five shutouts and allows 6.5 points per game, while Lawrence has two shutouts and allows just under 12 points per game. Despite losing halfback Spencer Cooke to a foot injury at the end of the regular season, the Cheverus offense hasn’t slowed down. Goodrich ran for five touchdowns in the SMAA playoffs. Olson is a strong passer, with 12 touchdowns, and DiStasio has seven touchdown receptions. A strong Lawrence pass rush, led by Wade and Stewart, will be a key. Offensively, the Bulldogs will do what they have done all season — run the ball. Carroll ran for 183 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s PTC championship game and appears healed from a groin injury that slowed him late in the regular season. Since taking over for the injured Carey, Leathers has improved in the passing game and threw two touchdown passes last week. Carey, LaFrance and Wade give the Bulldogs three talented receivers.
Class B
Leavitt (11-0) vs. Wells (11-0)
When: 6:06 tonight
Where: Fitzpatrick Stadium, Portland
Key players: Wells — QB/DB Paul McDonough, RB/LB Louis DiTomasso, G/DT Andrew Staples, CB/K Joey Spinelli, HB Doug McLean, HB Zach Deshaies, TE/DE Josh Ingalls, WR Kevin Woods. Leavitt — QB/S Jordan Hersom, TB/LB Jake Ouellette, UT/DB Ian Durgin, T/DE Jack Griffin, G/LB Josh Bunker, T Josh Allaire, T Jake Posik, WR/DB Sam Green
Outlook: Leavitt seeks its second Class B state title in three seasons. The Hornets won the Gold Ball in 2009 but lost it to Mountain Valley last fall. Hersom is one of the top quarterbacks in the state. He is a threat to throw and run the ball. Ouellette has rushed for more than 1,300 yards. Wells is in the Class B state final for the first time since 1997. The Warriors feature a tough defense as well. In the Western B final, Wells held Mountain Valley to 111 total yards and forced three turnovers. The Warriors returned 16 starters this season from a team that reached the regional final.
Class C
Yarmouth (11-0) vs. Bucksport (11-0)
When: 2:36 p.m. today
Where: Fitzpatrick Stadium, Portland
Key players: Yarmouth — RB/S Anders Overhaug, TE/LB Carter Dorsett, CB/WR Dennis Erving, G/T Tommy Lord, QB Brady Neujahr, RB Caleb Uhl, Jr., T/LB Nik Pelletier. Bucksport — LB Nic Bishop, LB Chris Powell, LB Shawn Smith, DE Jordan Fogg, T Damon Klenedinst, QB/CB Mike Cummings, DB Jake Stewart
Outlook: Yarmouth is riding a 23-game unbeaten streak and features one of the most potent offensive attacks in the state. The defending champion Clippers average 38.6 points a game. Defensively, Yarmouth has allowed a state-best 4.7 points per game and just six points in three playoff games. Overhaug was the top running back in Western C. He has rushed for 1,610 yards and 23 touchdowns and averages 16.4 yards per carry. He is also third on the team in tackles with 87. Bucksport, which seeks its fifth Class C state championship, allows just 8 points a game. It last won a Gold Ball in 2004.
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