High school football is back in action, and teams around northern Maine set the tone for the season with some notable results — blowouts, nail biters and everything in between — this past Friday and Saturday.
Here are four season openers that are worth reading more about.
Stearns/Schenck beats Bucksport away, 60-8
Behind the blocking of a senior-laden line corps, the Stearns/Schenck Minutemen punched in eight rushing touchdowns versus Bucksport on Friday night, cementing themselves as favorites to challenge Orono for the Little Ten Conference championship.
The Minutemen from Millinocket derived four touchdowns from senior Cam Atkinson, three from sturdy junior running back Lucas Pelkey and another from sophomore Cohen Raymond. Their line is led by Brady Brooker, Gavin Gagnon, Lucas McDonald and David McGreevy.
“Our success is truly a testament to our linemen on both sides of the ball. They played very physical and dominated the line of scrimmage,” head coach Cody Herring said. “Our success on O and D starts with them and the work they put in each week.”
Stearns has lost to Orono in back-to-back 8-man Small regional championship games, and has the experience and drive to get over the hump this fall. Bucksport was coming off a 6-win campaign in 2023, and even beat the Minutemen 30-12 in last year’s season opener.
“This year we have adopted a mantra on raising the bar — every day we practice or play, let’s raise the bar and try and get better. The excitement for this group is centered around getting better everyday,” Herring said. “We play in a tough league in the Little Ten Conference and know we need to get better every day to compete with the quality opponents we will play.”
Next up, Stearns will host the Dexter/Piscataquis Community Tigers (0-1) on Friday at 7 p.m., and Bucksport will host the Houlton/Hodgdon Shiretowners at the same time.
Hermon beats Medomak Valley away, 14-8
The Hermon Hawks won a defensive battle in Waldoboro on Saturday afternoon, getting equal contributions from their upperclassmen and underclassmen versus the reigning Class C North regional finalist Panthers.
On offense, Hermon seniors Max Hopkins and Bruce Coulter combined for 188 all-purpose yards and two scores on 26 touches, with sophomore quarterback Ethan Curtis (6-for-9 passing, 47 yards) throwing Coulter’s touchdown reception.
On defense, Hermon protected its lead with the help of a Coulter interception and a big night for freshman Griffin Dunton and sophomore Sam Hopkins. Dunton had three pass breakups and a pick while guarding veteran wideout Gabe Lash, and Hopkins tacked on three tackles for losses (nine tackles total).
“We played 48 minutes of never-give-up football. Super proud of the guys for playing with their heart,” Hermon head coach Kyle Gallant said. “Offensive and defensive lines did a really nice job for us. Great team effort.”
This week, the Hawks will host Messalonskee of Oakland (0-1) on Friday at 7 p.m., and Medomak will travel to Newport to play Nokomis on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Oceanside beats Brunswick away, 30-14
With the graduation of Fitzpatrick Trophy finalist Cohen Galley (QB), twin brother Carter Galley (WR) and two-time 1,000-yard rusher Aiden Sergent (RB) this offseason, Oceanside’s chances of defending its C North regional title this year seemed slim.
The Mariners quelled some of this doubt with a statement win over B North’s Brunswick Dragons away on Saturday, deriving a great performance from their line corps and first-year quarterback Zeb Foster, a senior.
The wide receiver-turned-signal caller Foster threw for 75 yards and ran for another 208, punching in three touchdowns with his legs. Meanwhile, senior running back Robbie Blair compiled 184 all-purpose yards with a rushing touchdown and two 2-point conversions.
Third-year head coach Sam Weiss said he was most impressed by his offensive line play, which featured seniors Brady Proctor and Timmy Watts, junior Maddox McMahan, sophomore Connor Prescott and freshman Gabe Robertson.
“We’re massive up front. They handled themselves very well,” Weiss said. “We’re gonna be all set.”
On defense, Foster, sophomore Nokutenda Muriro and junior Kaiden Quinn all logged sacks. Quinn, a defensive end, had 4.5 total tackles for losses.
“We gave up two long passing scores to [senior] Trevor Gerrish,” Weiss said. “Defense held their own once we knew he was the guy.”
Next up, the Mariners will host Class D powerhouse Foxcroft Academy (1-0) at home on Friday at 7 p.m. Brunswick will take on two-time defending Class C state champions Leavitt (0-1) away at the same time.
Hampden Academy beats Skowhegan at home, 32-21
The Hampden Academy Broncos won their season opener Friday night in entertaining fashion, treating their home fans to three kickoff return touchdowns and another two through the air to seal it.
Senior Andrew Cote scored all three special teams touchdowns in the first half, but Skowhegan kept pace with the Broncos and retook a 21-18 third quarter lead off a touchdown run from junior Aydan Mulcahy.
Hampden retaliated with a 56-yard bomb from junior quarterback Gavin Monyok (5-for-8, 122 yards) to senior wideout Andy Henaghen, and Cote (two receptions, 64 yards) locked down the win with a touchdown reception in the fourth.
“We know what [Cote] is capable of for sure, but to say we were expecting a 3-return game would be crazy,” second-year Hampden head coach Robenson Saintard said. “He had an unbelievable game.”
On defense, junior linebacker Jacob McEwen had five solo tackles (one for a loss), and stopped Skowhegan on fourth down late in the game. Senior linebacker Kaysen Wildman had eight solo tackles, and lineman Reed Manhart had a hurry and a sack.
This week, Hampden will head to UMaine on Thursday to play John Bapst/Bangor Christian (0-1) at 7 p.m. The Skowhegan River Hawks will host Falmouth (1-0) on Friday at 7 p.m.
