Two weeks into the high school football season, fans now have a vague idea of how their favorite teams are doing, but information about how they measure up statewide is still lacking.
Here are four upcoming games that will help contextualize the first two weeks of football season, and shape the playoff race moving forward.
Lewiston at Bangor, Friday 7 p.m.
After losses to powerhouse Thornton Academy and undefeated South Portland, the Bangor Rams are one of four Class A North teams with an 0-2 record and will be fighting hard to get in the win column this weekend.
Standing in Bangor’s way is Lewiston, which had an impressive week one win over Bonny Eagle (1-1) and is coming off a bye. Whether the extra rest for the Blue Devils will materialize as rust or freshness is to be determined, making this Class A North matchup an interesting one to follow.
Bangor has a 1-2 record versus Lewiston over the past three seasons, and lost a close one last year, 21-14. Both teams finished 4-5 in 2023.
Cony at Falmouth, Friday 6:30 p.m.
Cony (2-0) and Falmouth (2-0) are the only undefeated teams left in Class B North, so Friday’s tilt will decide who assumes full control of first place, along with a crucial tiebreaker.
Through two weeks, the Rams have rattled off impressive wins over last year’s top two seeds in Messalonskee (1-1) and Lawrence (1-1), while the Navigators have shut out two winless teams in Cheverus and Skowhegan.
Stretching back to last year, Cony has won eight of its last nine games, and wants to return to the regional championship game. Falmouth is regaining its balance after a 2-6 campaign in which the Navigators successfully petitioned their head coach to resign. Friday’s result could have a profound effect on either team’s momentum.
Hermon at Hampden Academy, Friday 7 p.m.
Friday night’s matchup in Hampden brings together two regional rivals jostling for position in the Crabtree standings.
Hampden is coming off two solid wins over Skowhegan and John Bapst (both of which are 0-2), making them the only undefeated team in C North. The Broncos are two games over .500 for the first time since 2013, and a 3-0 start would feel historic.
Hermon has played two close games to start the season, edging out Medomak Valley (1-1) last Saturday in a rainy defensive battle, and then losing to Messalonskee (1-1) in overtime. The Hawks will be playing with chips on their shoulders after attempting a two-point conversion but failing, losing 35-34 at home.
Foxcroft Academy at Winslow, Saturday 1 p.m.
Similar to the Cony-Falmouth matchup, Foxcroft and Winslow are two 2-0 teams on very different trajectories fighting over first place in Class D North.
Foxcroft has owned D North for the past several years, but graduated a stacked class of 2024 with two Lobster Bowl participants and another star now playing for UMaine. Winslow is coming off a 2023 season in which it lost six of its last eight games, including two losses to the Ponies. This should be a good test for both teams.
So far this season, Foxcroft has beaten Belfast (0-2) by 64 and Oceanside (1-1) by 26. The Black Raiders have defeated Maine Central Institute (1-1) by 44 and Madison (0-2) by 45.
