The Big Jab

Jeff Mannix and Taylor Mannix break down the regional finals along with 8-Man Large and Small State Finals.

Michael Hoffer of the Forecaster joined us to recap all the High School Sports action from his coverage area over the past week.

Class A: 
Oxford Hills Vikings (8-2) @ Portland Bulldogs (9-0) 1:00 pm Fitzpatrick Stadium
The Portland Bulldogs arguably haven’t been pushed since their 35-28 Week 1 victory over Thornton Academy, and this weekend they surely will be tested. The defending Champion Oxford Hills Vikings travel into the city of Portland to play the Bulldogs at Fitzpatrick Stadium, the same stadium where they hoisted the gold ball last season. Since back-to-back losses in Weeks 4-5 the Vikings have righted the ship, Oxford Hills enters tonight on a five-game win streak after they grinded out a semifinal win over Windham 6-0. Meanwhile, Portland has been on cruise control during the regular season and didn’t miss a beat in their first playoff game against Lewiston winning 32-6.
Prediction: Portland- 32 Oxford Hills- 28

Bonny Eagle Scots (7-3) @ Thornton Academy Golden Trojans (6-4) 1:00 pm Hill Stadium
In A South, two powerhouses in the state meet for a chance to advance to play for a state championship. TA are looking to get back to the state final after losing last season to Oxford Hills in the big game, they took a step last week shutting out Sanford 45-0 to advance. On the other sideline the Scots are rolling, winners of their last four contests. Bonny Eagle is led by Terrell Edwards who scored four touchdowns and passed for one, while running for the other three in the team’s 47-6 victory last week against the Noble Knights.
Prediction: Bonny Eagle- 24 TA- 21
Class A State Prediction: Portland Bulldogs vs Bonny Eagle Scots 

Class B: 
Cony Rams @ Lawrence Bulldogs 1:00 pm Charlie’s Field at Maxwell Complex (Winthrop)
The Cony Rams may be the hottest team in the state heading into their regional final matchup with the Lawrence Bulldogs. Cony has been rolling since losing 40-7 to Lawrence back on September 22nd, the Rams have won six straight and beat the Messalonskee Eagles last week 28-14 to earn the rematch with the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs won 42-7 over the Gardiner Tigers which puts them into their sixth regional final in the past ten years and have been the top dog most of the season. Lawrence’s only two losses this season are to Class A Bangor back during Week 1 and the Leavitt Hornets during Week 5.
Prediction: Cony- 24 Lawrence- 21

Massabesic Mustangs @ Kennebunk Rams 1:00 pm Veterans Memorial Field
After a 1-4 start the Massabesic Mustangs have won their last four games to find themselves in the Regional Final playing the top-seeded Kennebunk Rams. The Rams survived a scare in the last round vs the Westbrook Blue Blazes but found a way to win 23-22. The hero for Kennebunk was Jonah Barstow. During the Rams’ 23-22 victory against Westbrook, Barstow ran 23 times for 168 yards and a touchdown while also kicking the game-winning field goal.
Prediction: Kennebunk- 34 Massabesic- 13
Class B State Prediction: Cony Rams vs Kennebunk Rams 

Class C: 
Medomak Valley Panthers @ Oceanside Mariners 3:00 pm Weatherbee Complex
The Weatherbee Complex in Hampden will be the site of a Midcoast matchup we’ve been waiting for all season long. Rivals Oceanside and Medomak Valley will meet at a neutral site to earn the right to represent Class C North in the Class C State Final. In the first meeting back on October 19th the Mariners edged the Panthers 36-30. One name that fans will want to know heading into this one is Cohen Galley of Oceanside, last weekend in the regional final Cohen completed 5 of 11 passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns, he rushed 11 times for 144 yards and 2 touchdowns, and also scored two 2-point conversions.
Prediction: Oceanside- 28 Medomak Valley- 27 

Fryeburg Academy Raiders @ Leavitt Hornets 5:00 pm Libby Field
The Raiders were the first team last weekend to punch their ticket into the Regional Final in Class C after they took down the Cheverus Stags 34-15 at Atwood Stadium on Friday night. This weekend they head to the Libby Field in Turner, Maine on a Saturday to play the Leavitt Hornets. Last weekend Leavitt jumped out to a commanding 52-point lead at the half as the Hornets took down Cape Elizabeth 59-29 in their Southern Class C regional semifinal. The last time these two teams met it was still 75 and sunny, the Leavitt Hornets won the week one matchup 45-8 on September 1st and since then the Raiders have won eight straight.
Prediction: Leavitt- 34 Fryeburg- 21
Class C State Prediction: Oceanside Mariners vs Leavitt Hornets 

Class D:
Winthrop/Monmouth/Hall-Dale Ramblers @ Wells Warriors 7:00 pm Warrior Memorial Field
The Wells Warriors are back in the regional final for the first time in five years and playing a Ramblers team that started 1-3 and since has won six straight games. Eli Potter of Wells scored four touchdowns in the first half of last week’s regional semifinal and will be a handful for the Ramblers this weekend. The Warriors have won their last four games against the Ramblers, one of those four wins came this season when the Ramblers were shut out 41-0 by the Warriors at Hoch Field.
Wells- 28 Winthrop/Monmouth/Hall-Dale- 14

John Bapst Crusaders @ Foxcroft Academy Ponies 11:00 am Weatherbee Complex
John Bapst will be looking to pull a monumental upset when they square off vs. the defending champion Foxcroft Academy Ponies. Many things will be hard on Saturday for the Crusaders but slowing down Jadon Richard may be one of the toughest challenges, as he caught three passes for 62 yards and a touchdown in their 62-7 regional final victory over Winslow. His defense is also hard to stop, last week’s regional semifinal to go with his offensive numbers he contributed two tackles and intercepted three passes.
Prediction: Foxcroft Academy- 48 John Bapst- 10
Class D State Prediction: Wells Warriors vs Foxcroft Academy Ponies