The Big Jab

Power Rankings:

1. Leavitt Hornets
2. Portland Bulldogs
3. Oxford Hills Vikings
4. Thornton Academy Trojans
5. Bonny Eagle Scots
6. Kennebunk Rams
7. Messalonskee Eagles
8. Sanford Spartans
9. Foxcroft Academy Ponies
10. 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.