GOOD VIBES MOVING THROUGH BLACK RAIDERS

BY TRAVIS LAZARCZYK

Staff Writer

Winslow High School football coach Mike Siviski had a good feeling in the moments before the kickoff of Saturday’s game against Oak Hill.

“Our kids have the right attitude,” Siviski said. “Sometimes, as a coach, you can feel it before a game.”

Winslow defeated previously unbeaten Oak Hill, 34-18, to improve to 2-1. The Black Raiders were bolstered by the return of a number of players who missed the first two weeks of the season while academically ineligible.

“It was big because of the depth it gives us,” Siviski said. “It gives us, No. 1, a lot of young kids got a lot of experience. No. 2, we get to rest some people.”

A few young players came up big for the Black Raiders. The sophomore duo of quarterback Bobby Chenard and running back Dylan Hapworth hooked up on three touchdown passes. Chenard continues to improve, Siviski said.

“The game is starting to slow down for him, I think,” Siviski said.

Another sophomore, 6-foot-5 Justin Martin, has played well at safety and receiver. Junior Zach Guptil played well at fullback, often drawing attention when Oak Hill defenders bought his fakes. Guptil also scored a pair of touchdowns in Saturday’s win.

“It was our best team effort of the year,” Siviski said.

On Friday, Winslow makes the long trip to Hiram to take on Sacopee Valley, before big games against Yarmouth and Maranacook.

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Madison’s 22-20 win at Oceanside on Friday improved the Bulldogs to 2-1. The toughest part of the schedule is coming, but coach Scott Franzose feels his team will compete for a playoff spot in its second season in the Pine Tree Conference Class B division.

“I’m thinking 4-4 would put us on the cusp of the playoffs,” Franzose said. “Without a doubt, we can be a 4-4, maybe a 5-3, team.”

The Bulldogs’ next four games are against Leavitt, Morse, Waterville and Gardiner, all teams that made the playoffs last season. Leavitt comes to Madison on Friday with a 36-game win streak against conference opponents.

“We’re getting into the heart of it now, with Leavitt coming to town,” Franzose said. “Obviously, we’re taking it game-by-game.”

Friday’s game in Rockland against the Mariners was won when the Bulldogs stuffed a 2-point conversion try late in the fourth quarter. Winning a close game can only help the Bulldogs in the second half of the season, Franzose said.

“Our hallmark right now is defense. It’s 11 guys across the board. We’re seeing better intensity,” Franzose said. “We showed we can make a big stop. That’s a big confidence boost.”

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Members of the Waterville board of officials are doing their part to recognize and support cancer prevention and research.

Throughout September, officials are using blue whistles in support of prostate cancer victims and survivors. In October, the referees will use pink whistles to honor the fight against breast cancer.

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After three weeks, there are four undefeated teams left in the Little Ten Conference, and Maine Central Institute had the scheduling misfortune of playing three of them.

The Huskies opened the season at Orono, before hosting Stearns in Week 2. Last Friday, MCI played at Foxcroft. With just a handful of seniors and a roster more than half comprised of freshmen and sophomores, the Huskies were simply overmatched in those three games by experienced teams.

The schedule is a little easier for MCI (0-3) the rest of the way. The Huskies’ next three games are against teams also winless so far — Washington, Mattanawcook and Mt. View. MCI closes the regular season against Hermon and Dexter. If MCI can win three of these final five games, it can make a push for a playoff spot.

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Around the state: Scarborough quarterback Dillon Russo has four touchdown passes and three touchdown runs, leading the Red Storm to a surprising 3-0 start. Scarborough has already matched last season’s win total… Two-time defending Class A state champion Cheverus has not been scored on in nine quarters. Fn the season, the Stags have outscored opponents, 127-6… The Little Ten Conference continues to be the league of blowouts. This past weekend, the closest game in the league was Orono’s 38-14 win over Bucksport. The average margin of victory in the six games was 43 points.

Travis Lazarczyk — 861-9242

tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com

 

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