Messalonskee and Mt. Blue played one of the closest games of the Pine Tree Conference Class B regular season. On Sept. 19, Mt. Blue took a 14-7 win over Messalonskee, when Nate Pratt-Holt’s diving touchdown catch in the third quarter was the difference.
The Eagles had chances in the red zone that game, but couldn’t capitalize.
“It was one of those nights where things didn’t go our way,” Messalonskee coach Brad Bishop said. “Mt. Blue played well, and they won.”
The winner of this game will face top-seed Brunswick (7-1) in the regional semifinals next week. Here’s a look at the matchup:
Mt. Blue players to watch: QB Ryan Pratt, WR/DB Nate Pratt-Holt, C/K Anthony Franchetti, DT Bubba Harris, WR/DB Zach Meader.
Messalonskee players to watch: QB/S Jake Dexter, RB/LB Jack Bernatchez, T/DT Jake Doyon, RB/DB Colby Dexter, T/DT Klint Hall.
Mt. Blue coach Jim Aylward on Messalonskee: “We know Messalonskee’s good. They have one of the best players in the state at safety and quarterback (Jake Dexter). We’ve got our work cut out for ouselves.”
Messalonskee coach Brad Bishop on Mt. Blue: “It’s a good football program. They’re always competitive. They’ll be ready to play on Friday night.”
Three keys for Mt. Blue:
1. Move Pratt around. Pratt threw for 251 yards last week against Skowhegan, and was at his best when he was moving, either out of or around the pocket. A good scrambler, Pratt can run for yards if the pass isn’t there.
2. Account for Dexter. Like Aylward said, as good as Dexter is at quarterback, he’s even better in the Messalonskee secondary. Dexter can disrupt the pass game from his spot at safety, and like he did last week at Lawrence, become a factor in run defense.
3. Stop the run. The Eagles love to utilize a handful of backs and grind out yards and long drives. If the Cougars allow that to happen consistently, their season will end in Oakland.
Three keys for Messalonskee:
1. Fundamentals. Bishop felt that in Messalonskee’s 34-14 regular season ending loss at Lawrence, the Eagles didn’t do a good enough job with the basics.
“No mistakes, no turnovers,” Bishop said. “We have to tackle and block.”
2. Watch the run, no matter who is running. The Cougars have had injuries in the offensive backfield, with senior captain JT Williams missing half the season, and Alex Gilbert leaving last week’s game against Skowhegan in the third quarter with an injury. Sophomore Noah Carleton took over in the backfield when Gilbert went down, and Christian Whitney and Zach Meader could see carries, too, if Williams and Gilbert are unable to play.
3. Shake it off. The Eagles need to have a short memory and forget last week’s loss.
“Everybody’s 0-0 now,” Bishop said. “I think our kids will bounce back. They’re excited to play.”
Travis Lazarczyk — 861-9242
Twitter: @TLazarczykMTM
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