Taylor’s Week 6 HS Football Games to Watch
Power Rankings:
- Leavitt Hornets
- Portland Bulldogs
- Oxford Hills Vikings
- Thornton Academy Trojans
- Bonny Eagle Scots
- Kennebunk Rams
- Messalonskee Eagles
- Sanford Spartans
- Foxcroft Academy Ponies
- Oceanside Mariners
Games To Watch:
Class A: Noble Knights (4-1) @ Portland Bulldogs (5-0) Fitzpatrick Stadium
The Portland Bulldogs enter this game with heavy hearts after this week’s announcement that Regan Buck would miss the remainder of the season. Portland secured a victory last week when Aidan McGowan rushed for 159 yards on 25 carries with four touchdowns to beat the Windham Eagles 35-7. Reegan Buck accounted for Portland’s other touchdown but had to leave the game early due to the injury. The Noble Knights come into Fitzpatrick full of confidence, riding a three-game win streak and fresh off a win over the Bulldogs rival South Portland last weekend.
Class B: Marshwood Hawks (3-2) @ Westbrook Blue Blazes (2-3) Olmsted Field
The Westbrook Blue Blazes snapped a three-game skid emphatically last weekend when they beat the Gorham Rams 40-14. Gio Staples stole the show and finished with an impressive stat line. Staples rushed 9 times for 112 yards and 3 touchdowns. He did it with his arm as well completing 4 of 6 passes for 26 yards and a touchdown. On the other side the Marshwood Hawks are looking more like the Hawks, they split the last two games, the loss to a strong Class A South Sanford Spartans team, and a win over the Massabesic Mustangs.
Class C: Gardiner Tigers (4-1) @ Cheverus Stags (4-1) Boulos Stadium
The Cheverus Stags tasted defeat for the first time last weekend at home in a 27-7 loss to a very talented Fryeburg Academy Raiders. This week they will be tested again when they step up to Class B North and host the Gardiner Tigers. The only blemish on the Tigers’ record is a 35-0 loss to the B North leading Messalonskee Eagles. Since then the Tigers have looked sharp, banking wins against Falmouth, Edward Little, and Nokomis heading into this matchup.
Class D: Winthrop/Monmouth/Hall-Dale Ramblers (2-3) @ Poland Knights (4-1) Poland Regional HS Field
After suffering their first loss of the season down in Wells, the Poland Knights are looking to bounce back at home against a tough Ramblers team. After being considered one of the best defensive teams in the state through the early weeks of the season, Poland gave up a season-high 32 points at Wells Memorial Field in a 32-6 loss. Last weekend WMHD were involed in a rock fight. The Ramblers scored a game-tying touchdown with just 10 seconds remaining in the first half. They sent the kicking unit out for the extra point and nailed it to secure the 7-6 victory over the John Babst Crusaders at Cameron Stadium in Bangor.
8-Man: Mt. Ararat Eagles (2-3) @ Brunswick Dragons (4-1) Brunswick HS Stadium Field
Everyone loves a good rivalry matchup, this one is one fans everywhere can enjoy. Mt. Ararat is coming off a tough loss to the Morse Shipbuilders last weekend 18-12. The Eagles before that had seemingly hit their stride, after starting 0-2 they rattled off two wins on the road to get back to .500. Meanwhile the Brunswick Dragons under first-year head coach Mark Renna (4th year overall) are off to a great start in 8-Man Large South. The Dragons have won three straight games, two of them scoring 50+ points, and are looking to get a positive result to keep pace with the Yarmouth Clippers.