Winslow’s Hassan Hobbi runs down field against Foxcroft Academy during the 2024 Class D North final in Hampden. (Anna Chadwick/Staff Photographer)

Seth Bowden, Nokomis senior running back/defensive back: Bowden rushed for 14 touchdowns and more than 1,300 yards last season, while also aiding the Warriors in the defensive secondary with three interceptions.

Jeff Carr, Nokomis senior wide receiver/defensive back: Carr was one of central Maine’s best defensive backs last year with six interceptions. He also provides an added dimension for Nokomis’ offense as a gadget player.

Owen Chadwick, Gardiner senior running back/defensive back: With the losses of Kyle Doody and Chase Burgess, Chadwick will take on a bigger load in Gardiner’s backfield. He’s also the Tigers’ top returning tackler (52, 10 for loss).

Malachi Cusano, Messalonskee sophomore wide receiver/defensive back: One of central Maine’s best all-around athletes, Cusano, who had 422 receiving yards and seven touchdowns last season, should shine in a bigger role this year.

Ethan Demmons, Cony senior wide receiver: The Rams always love to air it out, which means Demmons, who had 44 receptions for 710 yards and four touchdowns last season, could be in for another prolific campaign this fall.

Brock Dewar, Winthrop senior offensive lineman/linebacker: Dewar recorded 38 solo tackles, 32 assisted and 14 tackles for loss defensively last year and is also the Ramblers’ only returning starter on the offensive line.

Tatum Doucette, Messalonskee senior quarterback: Doucette, who threw for 1,289 yards, 19 touchdowns and just three interceptions while running for 1,009 yards and seven scores, is one of Maine’s top dual-threat quarterbacks.

Braden Dubuc, Oak Hill senior quarterback/defensive back: Dubuc excelled at quarterback last year despite making a last-minute switch to the position in camp. He was named Maine Elite Passing Camp’s top passer this summer.

Liem Fortin, Winslow senior running back/linebacker: Fortin could stay at running back or switch to quarterback, but regardless of where he plays, the all-Class D North first-team running back and linebacker will be a force this season.

Messalonskee quarterback Tatum Doucette makes a pass before Gardiner’s Kyle Doody (40) and Ryken King (54) can tackle him during a September 2024 football game in Oakland. (Anna Chadwick/Staff Photographer)

Joey Hayden, Mt. Blue senior offensive/defensive lineman: The Cougars hope to turn it around under new coach Craig Collins, and in Hayden, a 6-foot-3, 305-pound four-year starter, they return a key piece in the trenches.

Hassan Hobbi, Winslow senior running back/defensive back: A Varsity Maine All-State outdoor track athlete, Hobbi’s speed makes him a threat in the backfield. He is also a strong defensive back as well as one of Maine’s best kickers.

Parker Morin, Cony senior quarterback: One of the best quarterbacks in Maine, Morin, a three-year starter who passed for 1,643 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024, could be a Fitzpatrick Trophy candidate this year.

Ben Porter, Winthrop senior wide receiver/defensive back: Porter is the Ramblers’ top returner in tackles (60 solo, 22 assisted) and interceptions (three). He also had 19 receptions for 265 yards and three touchdowns last year.

Brady Richards, Lawrence junior offensive/defensive lineman: The Bulldogs will be strong in the trenches this year, and Richards, who terrorized opposing lines as a sophomore, is one of the team’s many talented underclassmen.

Kaiden Veilleux, Cony senior offensive lineman/linebacker: Veilleux led the Rams in tackles last year with 90 while registering nine tackles for loss. Along with Bohdy King Jones, he is a key piece of Cony’s offensive line.