Three weeks into the football season, it’s fair to say teams have developed reputations and games should become easier to predict. That said, there are several interesting matchups happening in northern Maine this weekend, including two games between undefeated teams.
Based on results from the last few weeks, as well as 2022 matchups and a slew of other factors, here are my predictions for eight games happening this Friday and Saturday.
Bucksport at Orono
Prediction: Orono 52, Bucksport 36
Orono has crushed everyone in its path so far this season, but the undefeated Golden Bucks could be a tough test for Orono. Bucksport also has a pretty explosive offense with a lot of athletic skill players, so if they can get first downs and keep the ball out of the Red Riots’ hands, they could keep Orono within striking distance. I still give Orono the nod here though, just because of how dominant it has been since midseason last year. Orono has averaged 49.6 points over its last nine games.
Medomak Valley at Hermon
Prediction: Medomak Valley 30, Hermon 22
This matchup of two run-heavy offenses will be ground-and-pound from kickoff. Hermon’s Bruce Coulter and Alec Smith have been great this season, and so have Aaron Reed and Chase Peaslee for Medomak. Ultimately, I think the 3-0 Medomak Panthers will emerge victorious on Saturday, but the 1-2 Hawks could make it a close one. Hermon has had a much harder schedule than the Panthers this season, but Medomak’s undefeated start deserves recognition, as does its 2-0 record over Hermon last year.
Bangor at Lewiston
Prediction: Bangor 28, Lewiston 21
This is a classic Class A North matchup between two teams pursuing brighter futures. On paper, Bangor is the favorite, considering its +28 point differential through three games, and Lewiston’s -81. But the Blue Devils’ two losses came against Class A favorites Oxford Hills and Portland, and Lewiston also beat Bangor 50-33 last year. In the end, I think Bangor will prevail on Friday night. The Rams are coming off a 42-0 win over Skowhegan, and really want to keep the momentum going.
John Bapst/Bangor Christian at Old Town
Prediction: John Bapst 52, Old Town 14
Bapst has been a pleasant surprise this fall, beating Freeport 27-20 and Belfast 44-16, in addition to a 27-20 victory over Hermon in the preseason. Old Town, meanwhile, has started the season poorly, scoring only 14 points total and most recently losing a hard-fought battle against Belfast 14-7. I envision Bapst cruising to its third win of the season over the upriver rival Coyotes in Old Town this weekend.
Oxford Hills at Leavitt
Prediction: Oxford Hills 35, Leavitt 30
The Vikings and the Hornets have been the two most dominant teams in Maine the last two years. All that’s left for the reigning Class A champs (Oxford Hills) and Class C champs (Leavitt) is to play one another. There are many arguments for the Hornets this Saturday: having home field advantage, the underdog storyline and the departure of a stacked Oxford Hills senior class this offseason. But with last year’s backup Brady Truman under center, the Vikings have picked up where they left off last year, and seem capable of another championship run.
Messalonskee at Brewer
Prediction: Messalonskee 48, Brewer 6
The upstart Messalonskee Eagles have been another surprise story this fall, blasting through the opposition after going a combined 5-27 over the last four seasons. Under new head coach Blair Doucette and his staff, the Eagles have logged 709 yards rushing and 719 yards passing through three games, and have no plans to lose their undefeated streak anytime soon. Led by Tatum Doucette, Sam Dube and Brady Brunelle, Messalonskee’s strong senior class will probably overwhelm a young Brewer team this Friday.
Lawrence at Cony
Prediction: Lawrence 22, Cony 21
This should be a close game in Augusta, but I think Lawrence will come out on top. The Bulldogs are on the road, yes, but their record is better and have a dangerous ground game led by junior Colton Carter and senior Gaige Martin. Moreover, Lawrence is on a two-game winning streak, and Cony is coming off a tough loss to Messalonskee. Friday’s game will be very crucial to the Class B North standings, and is worth tuning into.
Camden Hills at Mountain Valley
Prediction: Camden Hills 42, Mountain Valley 28
Camden Hills has kicked off September with a nice 3-0 start, most recently outlasting a tough MDI Trojan squad 28-16. The Windjammers have a stingy defense allowing only eight points per game, but will face a tough test in Mountain Valley’s offense that has averaged 70 points its last two games. Still, I foresee Camden Hills emerging with a win in Rumford Friday night. Mountain Valley lost to MDI in Week 1, so if that loss is any indication of the power rankings, the Windjammers should win.