Another season of high school football is underway, giving fans something to cheer about in the Bangor region and across the state.
The John Bapst Crusaders got the season rolling for local teams on Thursday night with a comfortable 46-6 victory over the Bulldogs of Madison High School in Class D action.
Next up will be the Bangor Rams, who host Deering of Portland on Friday night at Cameron Stadium. That season opener will start at 7 p.m. as Bangor kicks off another year of Class A football.
Bangor head coach Dave Morris said his team had a solid preseason this summer, and will turn to a core group of experienced players like senior quarterback and linebacker Kyle Johnson, senior running backs and linebackers Zac Cota and Eli Marsh, senior wide receiver and corner Trey Tennett, and senior center and defensive tackle Matt O’Connell.
“Deering is a very good team. They’ve really done a great job collectively as a program,” Morris said, crediting both the visiting players and coaches. “We expect it to be a really good challenge on both sides of the ball.”
The Rams are looking forward to the challenge, according to Morris.
Bangor started slow last season but turned things around late, making it all the way to the Class A North regional title game before falling to eventual state champion Portland.
Morris says the Rams can’t look past any Class A team on their schedule and also will play some really quality Class B squads as well.
“We haven’t arrived by any means, but we like where we’re at today,” Morris said.
Many of the other Bangor area football teams will be opening their seasons on the road this weekend.
Class C North returning champion Hermon travels to Foxcroft Academy for a 7 p.m. Friday contest.
The Brewer Witches open away at Belfast High School Friday night. Hampden Academy is on the road at Leavitt in Turner, Orono makes the long trip to Old Orchard Beach, and Ellsworth heads to Lake Region in Naples, all at 7 p.m. Friday.
Old Town plays at Medomak of Waldoboro at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Bucksport will host Spruce Mountain on Friday night in one of the other few home games in the area this opening weekend.
