Class A

1. Thornton Academy Trojans
2. Portland Bulldogs
3. Bonny Eagle Scots
4. Oxford Hills Vikings
5. Sanford Spartans

The 2023 High School Football season is about to get underway here in “Vacationland”, and the new look Class A that welcomes Portland, South Portland, Windham, and Noble, still has many familiar faces at the top. Led by the consistent Trojans, Coach Kevin Kezal and company are ready to make a run at yet another state title appearance. Coach Kezal joined the Mannix Brothers this week and discussed how the team returns five starters on each side of the ball. With their reputation, it’s understandable to see why they’re the favorites in Class A.

This year will have its parity though, led by TA, Class A has depth. The Portland Bulldogs, who were the Class B runner-ups in 2022 return seven starters on both sides of the ball while welcoming new Head Coach Sean Green, who was last at Cape Elizabeth. The Bonny Eagle Scots, who finished 6-5 last season, feature dual-threat QB Terrell Edwards and return five starters on defense. Oxford Hills, who are the defending state champs after finishing 11-0 last season look for a repeat despite losing key players to graduation. Some of those names include Gaziano Award winner Zach Louvat, Eli Soehren, and Teigan Pelletier, but QB Brady Truman is ready to roll. Rounding out my top five is the Sanford Spartans, who will be one of the most intriguing teams this season. Sanford finished 6-5 last season and will return seven starters on both sides of the ball. The Spartans are led by senior Jordan Bissonnette, who had 1600 all-purpose yards as a junior last season according to the Portland Press Herald.

Class B

1. Lawrence Bulldogs
2. Massabesic Mustangs
3. Falmouth Navigators
4. Kennebunk Rams
5. Cony Rams

In Class B, the Lawrence Bulldogs finished the 2022 season 4-6 and are poised to leap in 2023. With Michael Hamlin returning under center for his junior season backed by a solid run game, the team has 64 players which should add depth in more positions than one.

The rest of the pack though will be tough challengers, starting with the Massabesic Mustangs out of B South. The pride of Waterboro enjoyed a fantastic 2022 regular season that saw the Mustangs finish 6-2 before losing to South Portland in a regional semifinal. They return all-conference offensive lineman Matt Letellier, along with Cam Bradbury, who plays both sides of the ball as a QB/S. Up the coast in Falmouth, Indi Backman is ready to run behind a strong offensive line. The Navigators return a strong core led by Backman, and if they overcome their lack of upperclassmen, they should be a force to be reckoned with in B North. The Kennebunk Rams for the first time in 1979 have a new Head Coach roaming the sidelines, Keith Noel, a Kennebunk graduate and former assistant coach will replace the legendary Joe Rafferty as the Rams’ head coach. The Rams finished 6-4 last year and will look to build off that success as they return WR Max Andrews, one of the most impressive pass catches in Maine. Heading back to Class B North we can’t overlook the Cony Rams. Led by Head Coach BL Lippert, one of the best in the state, Lippert will have his young group ready for the season. The Rams finished 7-3 last year and are hoping the health of senior Parker Sergent can give them a boost (who suffered a broken collarbone early in the 2022 season).

Class C

1. Leavitt Hornets
2. Cheverus Stags
3. Oceanside Mariners
4. Medomak Valley Panthers
5. Cape Elizabeth Capers

Death, taxes, and the Leavitt Hornets are once again favorites in Class C. Not only will the Hornets be the favorite in Class C, but are also considered one of the best in the entire state. Led by QB Noah Carpenter, who took home Maine Gatorade Player of the Year honors in 2022, the Hornets also feature standouts Will Keach and Maddox Demers who are two-way returning starters.

The rest of Class C will be competitive considering how many teams are returning strong cores. The Cheverus Stags return eight starters on both sides after finishing 2022 6-4. Led by senior captain Giovanni St. Onge, one of the historically successful football programs in Maine will again contend. Downeast the Mariners will make sure you know who they are. Oceanside went 6-4 in Class C North last year, and second-year coach Sam Weiss is looking to make more noise. Led by the Galley Twins, Cohen Galley plays QB and tossed 1500 yards in 2022, while his brother Carter will look to be a key contributor in 2023. The Mariners also return Class C North Player of the Year Aiden Sergent. Rivals Medomak Valley are defending regional champs after a strong 9-3 season and expect to contend despite graduating 16 players. The connection to watch will be senior quarterback Chase Peaslee, and junior receiver Gabe Lash. Cape Elizabeth rounds out my top five in Class C. The Capers are dealing with injuries early, but after finishing 8-3 in 2022 it’s tough not to see this team find a way to compete.

Class D

1. Foxcroft Academy Ponies
2. Wells Warriors
3. Freeport Falcons
4. Winthrop/Monmouth Academy/Hall-Dale Ramblers
5. Poland Knights

Foxcroft Academy Ponies were 10-1 last season, capping the season as back-to-back Class D State Champions. Senior QB Wyatt Rayfield is returning as a first-team all-conference player, and we can assume improvement behind the coaching of QB Coach Ryan Stroud, who is one of the best.

The rest of Class D is going to be fun to watch. The Wells Warriors are back in Class D, where they went 24-0 in 2017-18, it’s tough not to put them towards the top. QB Brooks Fox returns to lead the offense. The Freeport Falcons graduated some top talent after finishing 6-4, but returned six starters on defense. Winthrop/Monmouth/Hall-Dale finished 2022 at 6-4, and will be young at many positions this season, but the Ramblers haven’t had a losing season since 2014. Rounding out my top five is Poland, who bring back 13 seniors and seven returning starters on a defense that allowed the second-fewest points in Class D a year ago according to the Press Herald. Poland finished 4-5 in 2022 and will continue to make great strides in their program this season.

8-Man Large

1. Yarmouth Clippers
2. Waterville Panthers
3. Mt. Ararat Eagles
4. Morse Shipbuilders
5. Mountain Valley Falcons

Eight-man football in Maine began in 2019, and since its inception, no team has repeated as state champion. Starting in 8-Man Large, the defending champion Yarmouth Clippers are poised for a potential first repeat. Although stud Spencer LaBrecque graduated, Michael McGonagle who ran for 2000+ yards and 20+ TDs returns. Jim Hartman’s group also returns Rufus MacVane, who set a school record in tackles last season.

The rest of 8-Man Large should be competitive, it starts up in the North with two-time defending Large School North champion Waterville who returns three all-conference players. Heading back to the South, Mt. Ararat lost its top player on defense and offense in Shea Farrell, but that means it’s an opportunity for his brother, Dash. Morse will look to build off last season, returning all-conference quarterback Calin Gould. The Shipbuilders won five games last year and the expectation is to increase their total. Rounding out the top five is Mountain Valley, who last season the team went undefeated in the regular season in Small School South before falling to Old Orchard Beach in the playoffs.

8-Man Small

1. Old Orchard Seagulls
2. Orono Red Riots
3. Maranacook Black Bears
4. Sacopee Valley Hawks
5. Stearns Minutemen

The Old Orchard Beach Seagulls were able to bring home the Gold Ball last year and like Yarmouth in 8-Man Large have a great chance at repeating. Quarterback Brady Plante returns after a spectacular 2022 campaign, while on the defensive side of the football Reid MacNair will look to anchor the Seagulls.

The potential repeat won’t come easy in 8-Man Small though, Orono returns the core of the team that fell short in their pursuit of a Gold Ball last season. Led by receivers Will Francis and Pierce Walston, and RB Ben Francis this team returns some talent. Add QB Jack Brewer into the mix and this Orono team should be favorites out of the North. Maranacook is also in the mix. Led by Owen Dunn who returns after being one of the best ball carriers in the league in 2022, new Head Coach Skip Bessey should feel good about the returning core group. Heading down to Hiram, Sacopee Valley fans should be excited about their Hawks football program as the Hawks’ leading receiver and tackler are back to keep them competitive. Rounding out my top five is Sterns from the North who bring back their leading rusher and tackler Caden Raymond who will be a force in 8-Man Small North.