Podcast: Week 8 Overreactions (with Michael Hoffer)

This week's guest is none other than Michael Hoffer of Hoffer's High School Sports.

As always, we go around the state, including our thoughts on the big TA/Bonny Eagle game, the upstart Westbrook Blue Blazes, the always entertaining Class C, soccer, field hockey, and even a little volleyball. It's always fun when Hoffer comes on the show.

The podcast is brought to you by Vertical Raise

Vertical Raise is one of the largest fundraising platforms in the country, now proudly helping programs of all sports, clubs, and grade levels across Maine!

Your Maine reps, Chris Christie and Dave Chase, are both coaches who know what it takes to run a successful program — and they understand how important fundraising is to making it happen.

Schedule a call and see how Vertical Raise can help your program reach new heights!

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Transcript (auto-generated)

Welcome to the Maine Basketball Rankings podcast.I'm your host, basketball data nerd, Lucas McNally.Today's episode is brought to you by Vertical Raise, one of the largest fundraising platforms in the country, now proudly helping teams, clubs and programs across Maine.With Vertical Raise, your program can raise more money in less time.

0:20

No selling, no collecting, just results.From new uniforms and better equipment to tourney trips and every fundraiser need in between.Maybe shot clocks?Verbal.Vertical Rays has a variety of campaigns to make it happen.Your main reps, Chris Christie and Dave Chase are both coaches who know what it takes to run a great program.

0:39

Chris Christie's program looks really good this year at any sport, club or grade level and they understand how important fundraising is to make it happen.Is isn't it worth 10 minutes of your time?To learn more, schedule a call or e-mail us today and see how Vertical Rays can take your fundraising to the next level.

0:56

That content information is in the show notes, which you should read, and then you should go and you should subscribe, leave a review, do all those algorithm things.People always say this, do the algorithm things, but they're really important for the robot over rising or overlords who are ruining everything.

1:14

So at minimum, what we can do if AI and the robots are going to take over everything is at least we can try to game their system against them.It's like the Kung Fu lesson, right?Of you try to like use your opponent's strengths against them.So that's what you got to do.You got to go in there.

1:29

You got to like and subscribe and do all that boring stuff for the algorithm.Speaking of Kung Fu, the new Karate Kid movie is terrible.It's really terrible.I don't know why I watched it.Josh Jackson's in for like in it a lot.It's half the movie is this kid teaching Josh Jackson how to box again, and I have no idea why.

1:50

And then Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan show up like halfway through.It's, I don't know, no idea why this movie even existed other.I mean, I know I existed, but I have no idea what they were thinking when they made this thing.Anyway, on today's show, Michael Hoffer is here of Hoffer's High school Sports to overreact to Week 8 preview the play offs.

2:14

We hit on a little of soccer, a little bit of field hockey, some volleyball, All good stuff off the top here.First of all, breaking news, congratulations to Adam Robinson, friend of the show.He is the JV coach this year of Edward Little.

2:33

So big things in store for Edward Little and Congrats to Adam and I don't know, maybe he can go back-to-back.He won that title with the Saint DOMS coaching the freshman.Now he's taking it up a level to coach this.The JV's.We'll see what he's got.

2:49

It's you know, maybe next year he's got a varsity kick somewhere, who knows, who knows?There's always coaches calling it quits and there's always turnover.So Adam, you just got to keep grinding, keep grinding that tape and you know you'll be a varsity head coach before long.So that's the big news.

3:06

And then the other news, just a couple of quick thoughts.Everyone's freaking out about the Celtics.Big time podcasters are panicking about the Celtics.I'm not going to panic.I'm going to.I'm going to take the other side of that.

3:23

It is a weird team and they're trying to figure out how to play without Tatum.Yes, they have no rebounding.That's pretty bad.I mean, they're winning right now.This could all get negated by what happens in the game today.And if they either win and everyone's fine, or if they lose and every freaks out again, they're playing the Pelicans.

3:46

They're up 2419 as of this recording.It's a weird team to watch.It's just there's weird combinations and Aunt Simons is trying to figure out how to play defense and Peyton Pritchard's been in a slump and a lot of that's going to fix itself because they have good coaches and they've got Jalen and Derek White at the top.

4:09

And it would really help to help Luke Cornett still.And I love Luke Cornett and he's looks awesome in San Antonio alongside Wembe.But I think the Celtics will be OK.I think they're going to be the 6th or the seven.Starting Owen 3 is not ideal depending on how tonight goes, but I think they'll be OK.

4:31

And if they aren't OK and you know, it's a gap year is what is?I mean, the best case scenario is they're like the six and Tatum comes back with like a month and a half to go in the season and then they're a really scary six seed that nobody wants to play.Maybe they well, they probably wouldn't add anybody at the deadline because of the the aprons and all that, But you know, they could be they could be interesting.

4:54

Maybe they flip Aunt Simons for a big that would that would help.And then, you know, Cooper, the first game was a little rocky.If you didn't watch that game, you missed one of the best basketball performances you'll ever see in your life from Wimby.

5:11

Oh, my goodness, just otherworldly.And I don't know how you even respond to that in your first NBA game playing against that because that was just next, next level performance by Wemby.But you know, I said this in the newsletter, every at every step along the way for Cooper, every new level, there's the first game really looks a little, it's a, looks a little rough.

5:35

And we have to always remind people it's the first game.And then there's the haters, cuz, you know, haters gonna hate.They're all like, oh, you can't handle this white boy from Maine can't handle it.He ain't nothing, whatever.And then 3-4 games in, he figures it out and you start to go, oh, OK, yeah, he's going to be fine at this level 2.

5:55

And that's what happened in game three.He had the 20 points, no turnovers.Only the second person in NBA history to have a 20.0 turnover game before their 19th birthday.The other person was Kobe.You may have heard of him.

6:11

He his career worked out just fine.And Cooper did it in his third game and they're about to tip off for his fourth game, which is against the Thunder.So that might not go great because the Thunder, you know, are really great.OK, so that's all I have to say about that.

6:31

Find a way to get Luke Cornett back on the Celtics, please, somebody.Or maybe Kada.Maybe Kada will figure it out.I don't know.It's going to be a fun season either way.It's, you know, it's a little yes.You know, it's not as much fun as when you're killing everybody and you're the favourites to win the whole thing or you're going to you know, you're penciling Eastern Conference finals or anything like that.

6:52

But it should be a good season.It's AI think it's a fun team to watch.They're they play hard and they've got a lot of weird players who don't necessarily make a lot of sense together and it's quirky.So I I'm enjoying it.I wish they could rebound, but I'm enjoying it.OK, so having said all that, let's go to my conversation with Michael Hopper.

7:14

My guest today is well known to all of you.He is the man that is so busy and works so hard that he even publishes game stories during games that he's covering.Michael Hopper is here.You know, got to do what you got to do, Lucas, right then that that does happen occasionally.

7:31

Luckily, football games have halftimes where you can actually do something like that.But I try to avoid.I try to avoid doing two things at once when I can.I'm like standing on the sideline at Bonnie Eaglethorne Academy and you're there.And also now I get an e-mail pop up that you published a new story and I'm like, we're at the game.

7:48

The game is happening right now.Are you doing this?Yeah, like, you know, in, in all fairness, it was written before.I just didn't have time to give it a quick look over, which I did at half time and then made it live.So that was a good a judicious use of time because I knew I was going to be up probably to the wee hours writing that football story.

8:06

So I wanted to get that one out.Well, you got to do that really, 'cause there's the thing like it's the joke in screen writing that when you send the script to someone you'll immediately find a typo.Oh yeah, makes sense, no question.So, and it'll be a really embarrassing typo, like something like just dunderheaded.

8:25

How did I miss that?And oh, we just sent it to Ryan Reynolds.Great.It happens that you know it.It it's occupational hazard.Then with me it's messing up last names.It's, you know, calling someone a junior when they're a senior.I mean, pretty mild things in the big scheme of things.

8:42

But you know, things like just have to hit myself in the head and say, oh, I knew that, but I didn't do it.Properly, my worst one of that was during tourney week.Not last year, but the year before I switched Gabe Hagar and Gabe Lash.Oh, from Madomic and Lincoln Academy.

8:59

Yeah, that's understandable.You know, I didn't wake up to very many text messages, only 15 to 20 of people who read.It it shows people are paying attention though, so that's always good.There's that.Yeah, there is that.There is that.So you have the new site.

9:15

How is the new site going?That's the most important question.Right.You know, and I think the last time we chatted was right when I got this going back in April and 6 plus months in, it's I'm, I'm very pleased with where things are.Had a lot of really good support.You know how it is, you have weeks where you get a ton of subscribers and other weeks where it's crickets.

9:34

But you know, especially the start of the fall season was, was terrific in regards to numbers.And you know, I'm still this is my, my sole occupation.I've been able to do this and make enough money to keep this going.And I'm, you know, I'm really encouraged where things are so far.We haven't even gotten into basketball season yet.

9:49

So I'm hoping that, you know, that'll be another boost come December.But so far so good.I love, you know, having the freedom to cover what I want when I want to cover it, the stories I want to pursue.You know, it's, it's it's been fantastic.All things considered.I'm very, very pleased.And it's got to be, first of all, encouraging the response that it wasn't just people going, yeah, whatever, right?

10:11

But the ability to sort of like own your own thing and be your own boss and call all the shots.And that's got to be liberating.After the we won't mention how many years you were at A at a newspaper.Yeah, I mean, for, but even, you know, to be fair, most of my years, even when I was working for others, it was more or less, you know, doing what I wanted to do and, you know, for the most part.

10:33

So, you know that that part's great.And, you know, you start something like this and people, you know, will, will say, oh, you know, that's awesome.We'll we'll support you.And then, you know, the question is what will they really when the time comes?And, you know, no question there, there, there's been no shortage of, of people that I expected support from.

10:49

And then a lot of other people I didn't even know existed.So, you know, it's, it's been great.And in some ways I'm busier than I've ever been.You know, I'm doing these daily features that I never really used to do before, like the athlete of the week, game of the week, that kind of stuff podcast now, which, you know, is time consuming, but it's great because I've had a chance to talk to some terrific people.

11:07

And you know, that's really been a nice add on, I think to the site.But you know, at the end of the day, I'm out of games every day fall.This is the first Monday night I've had free.I know we've talked about doing this earlier in the.Fall I tried to get to John in a week.Yeah, I mean, it's just most weeks I'm like, I've got a game, I've got a game.So so that's going to change.

11:23

So you I'll have free weeknights after next week for about a month, which will be great.And the weekends are still busy.But you know, from September, October, it's, it's 810 games a week and it's pretty much, you know, most of the waking hours are, are spent doing this.I kind of dragged my feet on the podcast thing.

11:40

I was sort of new for a while gonna have to do the podcast, a podcast.I just know I'm gonna have to.But I found it's been really great to like get to know people.So true in a way better than just like like if I see you with the at a game, we're on the sidelines.We talk a little, but yeah, we're we're busy.

11:57

Yeah, but you get to know people in a, in a much like not deeper away, but it's, it's a much more interesting way to to get to know people.And like, if I have coaches on here who I've never met and, you know, talk to them and that's great.And then you see them at tournament games or whatever, it's like, Oh yeah, great, great.

12:15

Yeah.And it's, I don't know, I think it's been a very positive addition to at least everything I do.And I'm assuming you're having the same thing.No, I would agree.And I mean, I've, I've had several guests on the people I've known for, you know, in some case decades, but I'm always learning that more things about them that I didn't know before or, you know, going in greater detail than what I think I remember.

12:35

And, and it's just, it's just fun because it's a more personal level.You're right.I mean, it's one thing that I'm interviewing someone after a game.It's, you know, it's very much a professional reporter coach thing, you know, doing the podcast.It's, it's, you still have that to some degree, but you, it's just time to go into way more depth.

12:51

And, and I think it's a more comfortable setting for the subject.So they're, you know, they'll, they'll, they'll elaborate quite a bit more.Yeah, You have some time to get them to, like, sort of open up and relax.And it's not just, you know, you're interviewing a kid after the game.They're like, they've got their talking points from their coach and they're, yeah, they played hard.

13:09

Yeah, yeah.Followed the game plan.Yeah, get all that stuff.Yeah.So no, it's it's it's all good.You know it, it beats working for a living.That's been my go to line for 25 years and I still feel that way.Where can people find the podcast?Is it on everywhere you can podcast or is it just through the site?

13:26

It's through the site, so everything's at Hoffers High School, sports.com, you know, all the game stories, all the features, podcast polls, everything's under one umbrella there.And it's pretty easy navigational bar.And if you go into the podcast, it'll list everything I've done.I think we're up to like 9 or 10 now.

13:43

It's something I started in the fall.I hadn't done that in the spring, but that was kind of something new with this fall and had it every Thursday and it's about time to start recording a new batch here as we we head into the winter, so.Nice.Yeah, more or less used up the majority of my people, but it's it's been great.And you know, like I say, it's been a lot of fun for sure.

14:00

This is where you come up with gimmicks like this so you can cycle through the same people.Right.That's, that's not the worst thing I know.I guess as time goes on that might that might happen, no question about it.Yeah.Yeah.All right, so let's start.We're going to overreact.Let's start with the game we both went to, which was the big game, Bonnie Eagle and Thornton Academy.

14:21

Not as close as a lot of people thought it would be.No.And I guess if you're going to overreact, I would say that no one's ever going to tackle Connery, who began or.Geez.He was, he was remarkable.And, and The funny thing is, I just happened to be at TA Saturday for a soccer game and I got a chance to see him for a minute.I'm so I told him, I'm surprised you got out of bed this morning and I'm surprised you haven't been in the cold bath all day or the hot tub or whatever.

14:42

And he actually seemed, you know, when you're 1718 years old, you can recover from these things pretty quickly.And he seemed no worse for wear.And I think he he loved having the ball that many times.And I know his teammate and his fans love that he had that the ball that many times.And I think he's really established himself right now as the favorite for the Fitzpatrick Trophy.

14:59

But yeah, TA with quite a statement.I mean, that's not an easy venue to go into.It was senior night for Bon Eagle.Packed house.You know, everyone was very fired up for this game.The Bon Eagle team that had really surrendered very few points all season.And, you know, TA comes in and I think they they didn't score their first drive.

15:16

And then after that, they scored every drive until maybe just killing clock at the end.So really a statement win.And it's got to be so frustrating for the other team when you know what's coming and you just can't stop them.You know, time after time, you know he's going to get the ball, but you know, he's either spinning out of tackles or he's bowling guys over and you know, 6812 yards of pop.

15:35

And then occasionally even bigger.It's the more like it really wears the defense down as time goes on.I think what probably, well you're to the point you're made that drive in the second quarter where they just couldn't get off the field and it was third and 12 and they pick up 13, third and nine and they pick up 10.

15:57

And that drive just went on forever.It did, and you know, we talked about their effectiveness running the ball, but you know, maybe the biggest play of the game was that touchdown pass because I think that came on 3rd and 12 and at that point it was still 77.If Bonnie Eagle gets to stop there, who knows?

16:12

And then I know Bonnie Eagle's lamenting the fact that they had the long touchdown pass called back for the motion penalty.And then you fumble away the second-half kick off.And you can't give a superior team like Thornton Academy extra possessions or fail to score when you have great opportunities to score and you know, hence the final score is 4221, when in reality maybe the teams aren't quite that far apart.

16:33

No, I I thought that could easily have swung in either direction.You know, like that touchdown pass, it gets called back.First of all is a beautiful touchdown pass.Big time 60 yarder.I just want to say that I nailed the filming of that on my iPhone.

16:49

Like I had the yeah, I had the quarterback in the frame and then I, you know, whipped around and I had him clean like Joe Bailey level.No.That's saying something.Receiver in the frame as the ball's coming in, hauls it in.Yeah.And I was like, oh, that was great.

17:04

And then I.But I had seen the flag out of the corner of my eye and I was like.You know it's coming back, yeah.You know, it's coming back and it's the best, it's the best video I've gotten of a touchdown pass all year, and that's really the biggest disappointment.Yeah, it is frustrating and you know, I'm not good with videos at all or taking photos.

17:22

So you're right when you do like line one up just right is hope you keep your fingers crossed that it's gonna stand.There's a whole trick to it.It's it's got to sort of like you got to look at your screen, but you also got to be looking past the screen.Yes, I'm getting I'm getting a little better camera.So it it shows like the top of someone's head instead of the whole like it drives me crazy but that's why or.

17:42

You think you get it?Photographer.You think you get it and you're like just a little too high and you just get, yeah, you just get like their helmet.You're like, still open.Yep.But yeah, I mean, they had that one's called back, the fumble of the second-half kickoff.I mean, there's a world where they're up 21, seven, right, you know, in that game.

18:00

And then that's an entirely different football game at that point.Right.I think if you're Bonnie Eagle, you look at it that way and say, you know, we, if we play again and we clean stuff up, we're gonna be right there.And I think that's a fair way to look at it.But at the same time, you know, you're gonna have to stop this guy at some point cuz right.Next, you know, the next time they play, maybe he's not gonna get the ball 40 times, but he's still going to get it a lot.

18:20

And if he's, you know, breaking off chunks on a regular basis, you're going to be in trouble.So you're going to have to find a way to slow him down, maybe not stop him.And at the same time, you know, TA has shown they can do other things too.They have other weapons on offense.They just haven't had to use them that much.So be curious to see.

18:36

I mean, I think there's a very good chance they're going to play in the the class AS final.And, you know, unfortunately for Bonnie Eagle, they're going to have to go over to TA now on a Saturday afternoon.That'll be the difference.Really tough place to play.It's as close as we get to a college environment here in Maine, high school football.And, you know, TA is going to come into that game very, very confident, you know, presuming again, that both teams are there.

18:55

So, But I do think Bonnie Eagle matches up with TA better than probably anyone else.And I think if anyone has a chance to knock them off, they'd be at the top of the list.I mean, I we were both at the Portland game, the Portland TA game and that wasn't nearly as like there was no comparison between like the gulf between those teams.

19:14

Right.And I think, you know, Portland was a little banged up.I think if they again, if they play again, I think Portland could close the gap some and you know, approach things differently.But again, I mean, you've got you've got to stop this guy.And they they weren't able to do it either.And they got to find a way to score points because when TA Portland played, Portland wound up with a 0 on the scoreboard.

19:33

So they've they've got a much bigger gap to close than what the Bonnie Eagle does.And it wasn't even close like.No, without game I don't.Quickly.That was a quick knock.Very quickly, very quickly.So let's talk Fitzy.Yeah, so we've got Ayub is you have to, I think you have to start with Cordell Jones, because when you win Gatorade as a junior, no question, you're automatically the front runner, right.

19:55

So you got Conor Ayub, Who else?Gallant maybe from Old Orchard Beach as like a finalist.There's no question.They do, they do.They do finalists, right?I think they they have 10 semi finalists and then bring it down to it's always been three, unless they've expanded that.

20:11

But another name I'd give you is Geo Staples from Westbrook.And I don't know how familiar you are with that story, but that's been for my money, the best story of the high school football season is this resurgence of the Westbrook program.They're seven and one.They're the one seed in Class B South.This is a team that won two games last year and really for decades has just not been a factor at all.

20:31

It's been a wonderful story.He's their quarterback, he can run, he can throw.So he's a he's a big factor too.I I wouldn't be surprised to see his name thrown into the thrown into the hat before all is said and done.And then I would think you'd have to have Trey Walker from Falmouth, yeah, Park, Parker, Moran, probably from Coney, yeah, who's just had an incredible year, say.

20:50

Colin Moran from Bonnie Eagle, too.I know it didn't go well the other night, but you know, he's he's had a really good career, really good season.So yeah, he.Looked really good in that game.Right.You know, if Parker Rennie had stayed healthy, he missed a few games for South Portland, including I think South Portland for a better part of 1/2 played TA better than anybody in state all season.

21:09

This is about 3-4 weeks ago on a Saturday afternoon.The teams are going back and forth.And then Parker Rennie suffered a shoulder injury, which at the time I thought was season ending.As it turned out, it was just an AC joint.He just missed a couple games.And you know, they're they're pegged to play in the semis.

21:24

So I know South Portland would not be overly intimidated going down to TA.You know, beating him is a whole other story.But I think, you know, you look at teams that could maybe, you know, compete, they're there too.So that's another name because, you know, he he's really been very effective.He looks the part, you know, nice, big, tall, strong kid that they can really fire the football around.

21:44

And then also, who's the kid from Kennebunk that's whose name is escaping me Someone.Mentioned Austin West.Yeah, yeah, I think he's a senior, yeah.He's probably on the list.And then I'm sure there's someone from Herman that we're missing because Herman's, I mean, Herman's been in the mix.

21:59

No, no, a while, no question.Yeah, you know, it's funny class in class CS fascinating how it's just Oh my gosh, it's it's there's no regions there.I mean, Greeley coming back to 11 man football and finishing eight and O and atop the standings is really an amazing story.And you know, their best players, probably their junior quarterback, Luke Piper, who's not.

22:17

Else that was my next question.Is he a junior?He's a junior.He's a terrific baseball player too.That's really good.The resurgence of that program is unbelievable.I mean, three years ago they they had their first eight man year.They didn't win a game.Two years ago they started to finally figure out at the end of the year they made this amazing run to the state final and lost.

22:37

You know, last year they dominated the state game, beat Mount Ararat and moved up to 11 man.You're like, OK, that's great.It's a nice story.It'll take them a few years to really be competitive, but now they that's been accelerated and they've got a good chance as anyone to be in that state game.And they've got this nice turf field.

22:53

Nice and soft.Yeah, nice and soft.It's relaxing.It is.It's, you know.So they'll they're they're gonna host some big games here in the next few weeks.They actually have a buy this week.But they're you know, they'll they'll be hosting some big games.And you know, if the seeds hold we we'd have we could have a Greeley Levitt staking, which would be fantastic.

23:11

I know you were at that regular season game where, you know, Levitt had some great chances to pull that out late.Couldn't do it.You know that a Mike Hathaway coach team is gonna be a lot better the second time around.So, you know, you get a match up like that that would be can't miss.Is there a coach you would less want to get a second time in the season than a Hathaway coach team?

23:31

Maybe Kevin Cooper or Bonnie Eagle, just from what all that he's accomplished, his pedigree and you know, he and Kevin Keesel are pretty much like neck and neck Where Coach Cooper's won seven titles with Bonnie Eagle, Coach Keesel's won six at Thornton Academy.But no, I mean that that they would be the ones that jump to mind.

23:47

No question.But I think other than that, yeah, no, no question what Levitt stun, what Levitt did a couple years ago when they were beating all those Class A teams and winning the class that I mean, that was that was amazing.It really was.That was crazy.Yeah.It's amazing to me that like, the difference between basketball and football is like everyone in basketball is like, I can't possibly play this school that's got 100 more kids than we do.

24:10

How could we ever possibly compete?They've got 100 more kids.And then in football they're like, what?So what?They're three times our size.We'll play, I'm sure.And it's like, you need like twice as many people.Well, it's because the school size doesn't ultimately matter as much as how many kids are in the program.

24:27

And, you know, Yeah.And especially for basketball, we only need what, 10 on a roster necessarily, I mean.Be 1000 and you if you have two good kids, yeah.You're going to compete with anyone you.Can play with anyone.Exactly.Exactly.And yeah, I mean, Thornton Academy has an advantage because they have 100 kids on the team and they can have guys go one way instead of both.

24:45

And that's a rarity in this day and age, no question about it.But yeah, so smaller schools can line up and and beat the bigger ones on a fairly consistent basis.Yeah.OK, so let's let's start an A.So we've already done a mostly I'm bringing up Andrew Hart's site here because.

25:02

Yeah, he's terrific.I, I, he, I know he.I can only imagine how much work he puts in during the season.It's a great resource.He, yeah, it's he does a fantastic job.I mean, you're, I mean, you're the guy publishing game stories during a game from another game.

25:22

But you know, so the amount of work, you know, I know I spent all day yesterday.This is the only thing I did yesterday was I fixed the soccer and field hockey spreadsheets and caught up on old scores and then I had to go through.

25:38

And I had to.Run the heel points and then compare all the heel points to the MPA site and then find the missing game here and the game I flipped.It literally took me all day.Yeah, I believe it.So I I just I went to bed at like 2 after I finished.

25:53

The new letter.I've been there.Yeah, OK.So it's TA and Bonnie Eagle in the South.Yeah.And then Noble in South Portland.So it's top four get in.Yeah.So we have our field now.So there's we don't have to really speculate.Yeah, even though there's still one more week of regular season games.

26:08

It's just nothing's gonna change.Oh, right, there's.Yeah.I always forget that, so here's a question.Do these teams play crossovers right Without is the are the a schedule is not locked to a right.They play outside of a Yeah cuz Oxford Hills played Coney.

26:25

Yes, there are and.Things like that.Full of games and you got the couple teams that play the New Hampshire teams too.So there's, you know, there are external forces at work.I'm trying to think off the top of my head if TA or Bon Eagles played outside of Class A, but it it it can happen, yes.

26:40

It's not like you're locked into playing just an SMA schedule.But what happens if, let's say, Kony is, for an example, because, you know, let's say Kony's in a dog fight for the one seed and they've got opponents who have games left on their schedule.Do we, are we just saying the hell with it and locking the hill, locking the Crabtrees?

27:01

At that point I.Guess well, I think every other class has finished their regular season so there would be no there would you know.I think that's why we can more or less look at this.I think in the north though, there's still room for some movement, isn't there with between Deering Oxford Hills.I think it's possible that maybe, yeah.

27:18

Oh yeah, Deering and Oxford Hills are pretty close to each other.So, but you, you know what I'm saying?It's like, yeah, the we're locking the playoff seeds, but there's still games left on the schedule that could change retroactively.So I guess we're just say, well.It is what it is.It.Yeah, it is.And you know, it's very strange.

27:34

Hopefully it'll stay what we're talking about, otherwise this is all going to be a moot point.OK, so we're going to have the same issue with basketball with the with the under one hundreds, yes, starting a week early.So that'll be fun.Oh.Yeah, that's that's that's a problem for another time.I know it's coming, but it's a problem for.Another time.

27:49

That's a February problem.It is.And it will be so in the in the South.Can Noble give Bonnie Eagle a game?Yes, they actually prior to last week, that Bon Eagles closest game was noble.They did win that 18 nothing.

28:05

And you know, this isn't Noble of the last couple years with Jamir Rose, let's be fair.But what's impressed me is that Noble still remained a very competitive program, 7 and one with a one loss.I mean, they do play at TA Thursday night.There's a very good chance they're going to wind up 7:00 and 2:00.But I don't know if a lot of people expected them to come back and remain at at a level where, you know, they're talking about semi finals, regional final.

28:28

It's it's it's really been a great resurgence there and it and it's not just a one man show.You know, I think basketball might be a little bit more that way.I hope I'm wrong, but.Well, they're losing 2.People there exactly so.But but football, you know, noble football has remained a factor and you know, if anyone's going to crash that TA Bonnie Eagle party, they probably have a better shot than South Portland.

28:50

OK.And then over in the north, we've got Portland, they've looks like they've got that locked.Up.My understanding is that's done.Yep.And then Bangor, Oxford Hills and Deering and Windham.I think Windham needed to win this week to keep their dreams alive.

29:05

Yeah, it's, I think the four are in.It's just can there be any movement?And you know, no one, no one's going to want to go to Bangor, right?So, right.And yeah.And I think, you know, during Portland would would be fun in theory, but you look at the regular season meeting, it wasn't close.

29:22

You know, Cordell Jones ran wild in that one.And that was actually at Deering.So the rematch would be at Fitzy in in the semis.And surprisingly, there's not a whole lot of playoff history between those schools.There's a lot of November history with Thanksgiving Day, but there's only been a few a few games like back in the early 2000s, I think there was one in 2014, but there hasn't, you know, and in the last several years they've been in different regions, different classes anyway.

29:46

But you know, anytime you get Portland Deering, it would make for a fun playoff match up, no question.Deering.Was in B, they got, they got to the BS final and lost to Kennebunk.That was the best season they'd had in over a decade.And so they've moved up and they've they've remained competitive.And really other than, you know, they lost early to Bangor, they lost to Portland.

30:05

But as the season's gone on, they've been very competitive.You know, Joey Foley's had a great season.There's another name, you know, he's a senior.He does a lot of things for Deering.You know he might be in consideration too, because he's effective both ways.Let me ask you a follow up Fitzy question.OK, Why does the Fitzy take three months to come out?

30:23

That's a great question.I, I, I don't think we do it.Yeah.I don't know that it needs to go like till like the the weekend of the AFCNFC Championship games, no question about it.But they like, they like to drag out the drama and it's always been that way that I can remember.But I don't, you know, it doesn't take that it.We're not accumulating votes by, you know, Pony Express at this point.

30:42

It's 'cause we.I mean, they do basketball, they do Mr. Basketball, like during the season.Right.I mean during the tournament you get the names of 10, you get it down to three or five and and then the next weekend is the banquet and that's that.So I don't.Know the names of 10 should be after the season is after the tournament's over that's insane I.

31:00

Totally agree with that.And then you can still get it done relatively quickly.But I, I, I don't know.I just think that that's how they've always done it and that that banquet's always, you know, middle to the latter part of January.And that's that's when the big reveal is.It always confused every year.It confuses me.I'm like, wait, we didn't do that already, right?

31:16

Yeah, because it kind of you kind of get lost in the shuffle once you get into the other sports and NFL playoffs and College Football Playoff, that's like, oh, we still got this high school award to give out.But yeah, it is.It is a big deal when it happens.All right, so let's move on to BI think the story of Class B other than Westbrook's resurgence, which you hit on is Coney like?

31:39

What a great story, yeah. 401 point score to 83 allowed.I feel like that's good, yeah.Yeah, it's pretty good.Wow.I mean, that's 50 points a game, right?I mean, that's that's.Yeah, I think.That's crazy.Off, I think they're #1 and they're #2 I think in scoring behind Old Orchard Beach, right?

31:58

And it's because game.Orchard Beach, No.And we knew coming in they were going to be a powerhouse, right?I think, well, the question was, how was Primary Academy going to compete moving down from the being the Class C champion?And, you know, Kony certainly showed that, that there's a lot of separation between those two teams when they played here, you know, a month or so ago.

32:16

So, yeah, Kony's got to feel really good about their chances.And good luck going in there and beating them.Yeah.Jeez, I mean, you know, Gardner's had they came into it 7 and one or six and one.Yeah, yeah. 6:00 and 1:00 and just got absolutely destroyed.

32:33

Yeah, 51 to 10 or something to that effect.So that just goes to show, I mean, it doesn't guarantee anything.We've seen other years where teams looked unbeatable and all it takes is 1 bad night or one bad bounce.But you know, Kony looks is about as safe a bet as anyone.At least get to the state game.Yeah, I mean, it looks like their path is pretty clear.

32:51

Slightly off topic, did you see Mike Mandel compiled for the Sun, for No Kennebec Journal, whatever for one of the varsity main sites?Like the five history of like 5 games in that series.The Coney Gardner.I love that stuff and the amount of research that probably went into that was time consuming.

33:09

And you know, kudos to Mike for taking the time to do that.And just, I mean, what a great rivalry.I mean, down here it's all, you know, we talk about Portland during and Portland, South Portland, the Battle of the Bridge and back in the day, Biddeford, TA.But no, I mean, what what an amazing history.And it's great that that's still meaningful after all these years.

33:28

My favorite was they tried to dry the field in like 1912 by lighting it on fire.What could go wrong?Right?Crazy, yeah.That's like an idea where you're like, how sober were you guys?I don't.Know if there was when you.

33:44

Had.This plan that's, I don't know, it's amazing, Anyone who's around for the 1913 game, you know?I just like, I was just flipping like reading through it really quickly.I'm like, I had to reread it.I'm like, wait, what?You tried to light the field on fire, right?

34:03

All right, so let's go over to the South where Westbrook, are they going to pull out?They pulled off a one seed.They did they they squeaked it out.It was, I think I have a few other things that happened this weekend.Kennebunk would have jumped back up in front of them, but in Kennebunk was like scoreboard watching, if you will, but it just it didn't happen.

34:19

So yeah, what in Westbrook deserving?I mean, they did win the head to head game.So you got to figure, you know, maybe all things being equal, that that they they deserve that.And I think any of those top three teams could come out.Falmouth is, is getting healthy, they're getting better.That defence is getting better and better, right?

34:35

You know, I, I can only imagine.Great at Freiburg, right against Freiburg just.Thinking about that chess match, if if somehow Falmouth and Kony score off in the state final, you've got this unstoppable offense and a great defence, but you know they're going to have a hard time getting through because they're going to have to go to Kennebunk.Presuming they beat Gorham on Friday, they're going to have to go to Kennebunk for the semis and then potentially to Westbrook.

34:58

So and then you get that Marshwood Chevres game, which I think is really interesting because, you know, Chevres lost to Marshwood by a point in the regular season.Marshwood is Marshwood, right?No one's going to want to play them in the playoffs.I know this isn't a vintage Marshwood team, but on a given night, they're dangerous.You know, there's been other years that they've, you know, almost jumped up and beaten Kennebunk.

35:15

And how's Westbrook going to handle being the wearing the bullseye, right?I mean, they've never been in this position before.They've been this incredible story.But ultimately, they're going to be measured by, you know, what they do in November, and they have a chance for immortality, get to a regional final, get to a state final, something this school has never, ever done.

35:32

And.This they've never been to a regional final.And they, they have the potential to do this and they've got some, you know, stand out seniors.So it's really a great opportunity for them.But you know, until you take the field and all, you know, all of a sudden you have a giant crowd and all the expectations, you know, until you actually experience that and get through that, you know, the question marks remain.

35:53

Kennebunk's been on the state game in the last two years.They're in regional finals every year.You know, the Falmouth program, I guess that's the model for Westbrook, right, Is you look at Falmouth prior to last year, you know, they they've had a few good teams.They've been to a couple regional finals, but they had never been to a state game.And not only did they go undefeated and get to states, they win it.

36:11

And I think Westbrook would love to follow that that script this season.So I'm really fascinated to see how they handle the pressure of the postseason once we get into that.It's I mean, that's a never ending fascination really is when you see a team that hasn't been there before noble basketball recently and things like that is like, how are they gonna respond in the big moments with the big crowds under the spotlight?

36:36

And then one of the things, one of the noble, because the noble crowd, I remember in the tournament, not last year, but the year before their first year there, right, their crowd was going crazy.And one of their coaches said to me, he goes, Hey, you can't act like you've been there before if you haven't been there before.

36:52

That's true.And.I was like, well, that's, that's fair.Yeah, and that's the one wild card of all this, right?And you know, are you going to come out nervous?Is the more poised team going to come out and go up 14?Nothing in the blink of an eye and then it's a whole different game.So it'll be interesting to see because Kennebunk and Falmouth have that experience.

37:09

Marshwood has the coaching experience.They haven't been in the big games for the last couple of years and Sharpers has some veteran coaches too who've been in a lot of big games.So it's really, it's a great region.It's been fun to watch all year.All these teams that have really been close.If there were some of the best games this whole season have been in Class B South and we're recovering.

37:27

The Chevis Kennebunk overtime game earlier this year that looked like Chevis was going to win and then Kennebunk came back and stole it by a point.So really on a given night and even last week, Gorham took Westbrook down to the wire in a 1210 game that no one saw coming.So I wouldn't be so quick to write off Gorham.

37:43

You know, they they weren't healthy when they played at Falmouth in the regular season.If they can go in there healthy, anything's possible.So I think that's about as fun a region as there is, at least on paper, going in.Yeah, you've got a bunch of narratives.You've got history, you've got you got it's got it all you do, you know?

37:59

Yeah, it should be fun.It'll.Be fun, and then Coney will probably roll in the North, but who knows?Maybe, maybe they'll get knocked off and Gorham's going to come out of the South.There's something crazy.You never know, right?Hey, you never know, you want to make a prediction for the South?Boy, it's, it's tough.

38:15

I think Kennebunk's going to be really tough to knock off when all is said and done, and I would not be surprised if Falmouth found a way to get through.I mean, I guess I'd hedge my bet and say you the Falmouth Kennebunk winner, presuming that happens, in my mind would be the favorite.But boy, there's something special, magical about this Westbrook team.

38:32

And what an awesome story it would be if they could get through.I think it just, I mean, they've already gotten a ton of attention here over the last few weeks, but I think it would just, you know, they'd be illuminated even more.And, you know, Sam Johnson's done such an incredible job with this program.And, you know, they just, they deserve all the positive attention they can get.

38:48

And, you know, in my line of work, I don't root for teams.I root for stories.And my favorite, my favorite stories are teams that haven't been good for a long time, that that have gotten good again, or in this case, really a program without much of A pedigree doing it for the first time.I mean, these things write themselves.

39:03

So I guess that's a long winded way of saying I'm I'm picking a few different teams.But you know, if you put if you put me on the spot, I'd say Ken amongst going to be really tough to to throw and when the when the when all is said and done.I root for my spreadsheet to be right.That's why I understand that too.

39:20

Are your picks to be right?Yeah, I get it.Yeah, I root for my picks to be right and then narratives, and then I root for coaches who are nice to me.That's.These are these are all very good reasons to root for someone, yes.I mean, you know, let's, let's be honest, that's what we're really hoping for here, is that the people are cooperative.

39:38

Yes.And so I would say I would probably pick Falmouth because I can imagine the emails I'll get if I don't.So yeah, that's fair, I thought.Yeah, I mean, what a what a great story they were last year.And and I would not write them off.I'd be they're they know they know how to win and they're kind of in a good spot where they're not the team everyone's talking about like they were last year.

39:59

They can go out and take care of business and put their best foot forward.You know, the opening night, they they were up 10, nothing down at Kennebunk.They wound up losing 1410.So if they have to go back there, they know that they can beat them and play with them.They've beaten what?They're the only team to beat Westbrook this year.They just handled Chevrus.And they beat Marshwood, you know, or they lost to Marshwood in a down to the wire game here a few weeks ago.

40:19

So there's no one in this field that would that would scare the defending champs.Yeah, and they blew up.I mean, the last two weeks they blew up Freiburg and they blew out Shepherds.So very impressive.I think gave up.You want three points total, You want a peak going in and that they seem to be doing that.Maybe they're getting healthy.

40:35

I think they have a lot of injuries.Though they do, and they they're not going to get everyone back.But even getting Abraham Winterstein back last week was huge.And I think you know what, whatever they have, they've still got a lot of skill players.And that defense is when it's when it's clicking, it's very dynamic.

40:51

Yeah.All right, let's move on to C, which is everybody's favorite class this year.It's.No north or South.Insanity.Yeah.No North or South. 13 teams in one region.Yeah, 10 get in very deep, 10 are in.So York got the final one.

41:08

They did.They were actually already in going in because going into their game on Saturday, because the madomic coaches had me running scenarios, they're like they're like, who could we end up playing if we win, if we lose, blah, blah, blah.And it was it just came down to them.

41:25

When I ran it, I'm like, you're going to be 7th or 8th and you're going to play Old Town or York in some one of those two things.That's how it's going to work out.Yep.And so York lost 8 to 6 to Monadnock.Monadnitcher.Stool cock.Easy for you to say, yeah?

41:42

Bring in, bring in the closer to shut it to shut it down right?Do you want to hear a side baseball thing That I'm just how stupid I am?Well, and why not?So last night I'm, I'm like, I don't want to watch the Steelers a game cuz I hate the Steelers and cuz I lived in Pittsburgh for too long and I hate the Steelers.

42:01

So I'm like flipping through the YouTube TV and I saw World Series game and I'm like the World Series.Of course I watch the World Series and I'm watching the World Series and I'm only and I'm I'm doing this while I'm doing the spreadsheet stuff, right.And so I'm half watching it and I'm like, wow, they get this inning is just falling like getting out of control.

42:20

And you know, there's Blake Snell on the in the dugout looking mad.And then they hit a Grand Slam and I'm like.Again.This is game one.They're just replaying game one you idiot.I was freaking out.I was like, Oh my.Gosh, look at that.

42:36

You figured it out eventually, that's all.I figured it out.When I think at the Grand Slam I was like, I'm so stupid.OK, Anyway, so Greeley got the one seed, Levitt got the two seed.Those are the so the top 6 get a buy, correct.

42:54

So Greeley, Levitt, Herman, Gardner, Wells, Nokomis, Yeah, get buys and then our prelim or quarterfinals, I guess.No, those are prelims, right?Is Madonic will host Old Town and Foxtroft Foxcroft will host York.Yeah, and I mean, how crazy that's a you know how.

43:11

That's a nuts region.It is.And you look at the pedigree of a team like Foxcroft Academy in the seven spot, right?I mean, how crazy is that?I mean, they're a team that no one's gonna want to see down the road.Wells is is just as accomplished in recent years.It doesn't matter what class they were in.They're they're winning, you know, they they potentially could beat up with Greeley in the semi finals as good Gardner.

43:33

So you know, Greeley might you could have an easier time with it in the quarters, but that semi final round will not be easy.You know, I know you mentioned Herman earlier with the great, the great season they're having.And then, of course, there's Levitt lurking really in in a great spot for them.

43:48

So this is going to be fun.I mean, you've got a good half dozen teams here.They probably have a legitimate shot at at going all the way and a lot of them who have several pelts on the wall if you will.Yeah, yeah, you've really got, you know, you talk about Foxcroft, you've got madomic an eighth who's the last three years been in a regional final up north.

44:12

But still a regional final is a regional final.And they're getting healthy.They good play spoiler here.I think they'll handle Old Town.I think I don't I don't know how much further they'll get than that.

44:28

Now I'm going to get so many emails.I'm going to get text messages, I'm going to get phone calls.I I don't like their chances against Greeley because I've seen Greeley twice and Greeley looks really.Good.And, and you know, again, they've they've got a championship pedigree of their own now and then.This is a group that not only has won in football, but a lot of these guys played baseball back in June and won a state title there.

44:49

So they're used to being in big games, They're used to winning big games.They've they've really established quite a strong home field advantage.Now we mentioned with the turf, you know, the, the student sections really into it, they're going to be tough to beat.And I know the state game's at a neutral site, but you know, Greeley getting potentially 2 home games, I don't care who you are, good luck coming in and beating them.

45:09

Although Levitt did almost do that earlier this year.Falmouth did almost do that earlier this year with an overtime game.But you know, this Greeley team's for real, they they get up for these big moments and they're going to be tough to knock off, I think, especially on their turf.And in that 4-5 game, we've got a repeat of one of the best games I saw all year when Wells and Gardner went to overtime, right?

45:31

Yeah, and you know, I know Gardner's coming off the tough loss to Kony, but other than that, you know, they've handled just about everybody.And you know, like I said, you know, Wells is always playing deep into November.That's just what they do there.So something's good.Something's going to have to give when that when that match up comes up next weekend.

45:48

Yeah.And then I don't the team I have a question about is Nokomis because I just don't know how good they are.Like none of their their schedule looks like it was one of the softer ones in C.And then I know they beat Madomik last week, but Madomik lost one of their offensive line, their best offensive lineman before the game, and they're hopeful he'll be back for the playoffs.

46:15

So I just, I just don't have a read on how good Nokomis is.Well, I tell you, I.Don't know.Have you seen them?No, but I know on on September 27th, Greeley coming off the wins over Levitt and Falmouth went up there and they had to rally late to win 20 to 14.So I, I guess it would, it wouldn't be smart to sleep on them because they are, they are dangerous.

46:31

And I know that was maybe Greeley's closest call, at least at least on the road this year.OK, so they could, you know, that's a maybe spoiler.I did.They play Herman this year because that's who they get in that first round and bring it up here.

46:46

Yeah, there's too many teams to remember all this stuff.I don't even know where Nicomas was until a certain guy played basketball there for a year before moving to No, I'm kidding, but they could be a problem.They did lose at Herman, 27 to 20 all.

47:05

Right.So it was competitive.In week 7, so that could be an interesting three I think.So they maybe can make some noise.I think so.I just realized that Dexter's next to Nokomis.I didn't know that until I drove to Dexter for the T-Mobile.Thing and there it was.Yeah, yeah.And then there's a I'm like, I'm look at that.

47:21

Look where I am, guys.It's not up yet.I know it should be.You would think it should be.I saw a sign that said like.Under the town like town scientist at home of Cooper flag.I didn't see a statue.I didn't see any big banners.Well, you know he's.Got to accomplish.Something I mean, let's get let's.Get real, you know he's got to win something.

47:37

But no, I've got to think I will have you know he is the 2nd.NBA player in history.Did you see the stat to have 20 points and 0 turnovers before his 19th birthday?That's insane.The only other person is Kobe.

47:53

All right.Well, that's pretty good company to start out with.So yeah, no, I mean, yeah.And only his third game.Nothing.Nothing.Surprises me with him and.It's great that he's already stepped in and made an impact and he's only gonna get better and he's only gonna get older and it's, it's crazy to think the Sky's the limit here, that Dunkin, that game.

48:12

And that Game 3.Whoever they were playing in Game 3 Toronto, that was Lookout.All right, do you want to?Make a prediction for.C Greeley and for my for.My money until someone beats them again.They thrive on big situations and they find a way.

48:31

And they've got a really good defense too.I mean, they they get after you go, they get after the ball.They've got guys that you know, it's not a school you would think of as being a tough defensive football school, right?But they've got some kids who can do it.Caleb King's done a great job of that program and he he took over after Falmouth and Greeley had been together for a couple years.

48:49

You know, Greeley football had kind of disappeared.They started back up, as I mentioned, with the eight man and you know, he came in right away.So we expect to win state title and they didn't win a game that first year.But yeah, he was, he was only off by a year or two because now they're they're buying for them every year.And I just think this group, there's just something about these kids, they they love football, they love representing their school.

49:11

They love being doubted and proving people wrong.And I'm tired of picking against them because, you know, the few times I've done it this year, I've I've been wrong.So those days are over.I'm picking Greeley the rest of the way.There you go.I.Tend to agree with you and my only.

49:26

I just think, I think it'll be Greeley LED it and and I think it might come.Down to who has the ball last.True, and I, and it's never wise to bet against Lovett.In a championship game, no question about it.I, I just and they, they, they impressed me that can I agree?

49:42

I mean, they just made a lot of mistakes, but you can see they were on the cusp that first half was not great.They were on the cusp of.Becoming a really good team and I know they.Probably feel like they should have pulled that one out at the end so they would have a shot.I think they're the one team that that I would really give a a, a pretty good shot with.But again, I just feel like really finds a way and and maybe they do it one more time.

50:03

Yeah, they're.I mean, they're both really good.I yeah, no shade to either one of them.Please don't e-mail me all.Right, let's go to.D This D looks like to be the least interesting class.Yeah, I don't again.

50:18

I mean I to me, I have Freeport.In my coverage area.But beyond that, I really don't know much about about, you know, looks.You know, Winthrop obviously with their record looks like they're clearly the favorite there in the South.But you know, now that you say that we might have some surprising interesting games, but well, John Baps almost lost, right?

50:37

And I think.Prior to this year class.D was a statewide like C is this year.So now they've gone back to regions there.Yeah.I mean John Baps, Winslow, I mean, those, those records are very impressive.And I think, you know, Winthrop's probably the the prohibitive favorite in the South.Yeah, that's kind of the.

50:54

Consensus that Winthrop is.Winthrop in the South and see, Baps already played Winslow and destroyed him early in the year.So that's the argument against Winslow.But I mean, 393 points to 97 allowed is not nothing.

51:10

No, it's Yeah.I mean that's.It speaks to dominance and that it should continue.Yeah, yeah, they've.Got a a great program there.All right, I think it's, yeah, I think we're just get, I think we're going to have Baps and Winthrop in the stake.

51:26

Let's pencil them in right now.Put them in your bracket.All right.All right, moving on.Eight man large this one looks.Fun.It does look fun and there's there's been a.Lot of fluctuation.Here over the last couple of weeks, they looked for a while like Yarmouth was going to get a home game and then it turns out they don't.

51:43

And now they've got to go to Mount Ararat, who that's their only loss.You go way back to Week 1, Yarmouth lost to Ararat and then they haven't lost since.So yeah, I, we talked about how Westbrook's been such a great story this year.For my money, the the return to prominence of Yarmouth is, has been a really good story too, because they won two games last year, you know, and in recent years they've been a championship caliber team.

52:05

But here they are right back at the top again.But for them to get through, it's not going to be easy because they're going to have to go on the road somehow.Solomon Ararat.And then there's a decent chance they might have to go up to Spruce Mountain and win that game too.Although Lake Region's been really competitive, so that's not a sure thing.But really a fascinating region.

52:21

I mean, I you can make a case for any of these four teams.Yeah, I've.I've heard early that.Lake was really good and I think they stumbled their foreign.They're four and four, but I think.Those were close games, right?I know Yarmouth handled them fairly easy.I mean you.Look at their losses Yarmouth, Mount Ararat, Old Orchard, Camden Hills.

52:37

So you know, not no shame in in those results, but you're and you know, Camden beat the.Handed mount.Ararat, they're only lost two and Spruce Mountains only lost us to Yarmouth.So you know, these teams have kind of beaten each other and you know who's going to be playing and playing their best.

52:55

I might even check out that Yarmouth Ararat game Friday night.I'm still trying to figure out exactly what I'm going to do, but that's a possibility because it's really a a terrific match up for a regional semi final.Yeah, I mean Lake region almost.Beat Old Orchard Beach, right?Which I mean, that's got to get your.

53:11

Attention.That should definitely get your attention.And in the north you've got.Camden, pretty much.Running away with this thing.Their one loss is a game where they sat everybody, right, Because against GNG.And then you got MDI, Holton and Waterville.

53:28

And yeah, I saw Holton at the Dexter game, which is maybe not the best place to evaluate a team, an opponent because, I mean, try to walk into that atmosphere and try to play a football game.Must have been weird.

53:44

Yeah, I'm sure.But Dexter handled them very easily, right?Yeah.So I would assume Cam.I think they look.Like a.Prohibit out of this there I think there's it's it's the South is.Much less clear cut, but I, I, I like what your arm's.Doing.And you know, they've won seven in a row.They've Iggy McGrath has just done an incredible job at quarterback.

54:02

And this was a few weeks ago, but he had like 29 touchdowns and 1 interception at one point this year.So I mean, they, they can, they can get it done through the air on the ground.They've gotten better defensively.They gave up a lot of points earlier in the season, but they really got better as time went on.And, you know, again, I mean, the the seniors on this team won a state title as freshman and I've got to the semis of sophomores.

54:22

It was just last year.That was a really rough year.So they'll be there.You know, Mount Ararat was in the state final last year.I mean, there were no match for Greeley, but they played in that game.So you've got teams that know how to win this time of year.And I I that's why I think that matchups really going to be compelling.What's crazy is.

54:38

Those top three teams?All scored at least 325 points this year.And I know it's a man, but still, that's a lot of points.Points, Points are.Yeah.I mean, yeah.Points are real, are easier to get at that level, but they they've all got really dynamic offenses and it's going to come down to, all right, who can get a key defensive stop, who could force a turnover.

54:58

You know that that'll ultimately determine who the best team in that region is, yeah.All right, let's I'm going to put.You to the test or to the on the spot?Who do you who do you got coming out of the South?We'll assume Camden in the north.Yeah, I got a, you know, partially I'm biased because.I cover them, but I think Yarmouth, just the fact that they've been able to put together this long win streak and I think if they could find a way to win at Mount Air at Friday that then the Sky's the limit for them confidence wise.

55:24

It won't be easy, but you know, if you put me on the spot, I'll go with the Clippers.I'm going to zag.I think I'm going to take spruce.Yeah, see, I just don't know much about them.But I obviously their their record is terrific.The record is terrific.

55:41

They blew, I don't know, they blew out Dexter this last week, 50 to 8.Although I mean who?Knows what Dexter is going through their heads.At this point, that's I talked to their coach and I'm like, is this after, after the T-Mobile game?

55:58

I'm like, is this like the most impossible coaching situation to try to coach a football team through this?He's like, it's yeah, it's yeah, it's safe.It's not that you could train for, I suppose.No, it's like, how do you keep them focused on?Football, he's like you don't you just hope that they show up and play when the game starts and they and I don't think.

56:19

They're, I don't think they won, but.They got pretty close.They they were the smallest team.Smallest team in the thing and they finished. 3rd I believe all right, so to the South or to the small, small in the South, we.

56:37

Have Old Orchard.Beach and oh boy 436 points on the year.I mean all all they do is get Telstar constantly.Yeah, yeah.And they also have a buy.All the way to the regional final, because Boothbay said you know what we're.

56:54

Good.Yeah, No thanks.We don't want to come down as much as we.Like Old Orchard to come down, Take it on the chin.Maybe the arcade's closed?Maybe.Yeah, it's not the same in late October as it is in July.And August, right?Yeah.And they'd already played them once.They lost. 60 to nothing.

57:11

Apparently they're down to like 12 kids on the team and which I just think means playing time for everybody.But yeah, like it or not, yeah.And realistically, the clock's going to run in the second-half so.You're not really.You know, playing a full game anyway, Yeah, that's a good point.

57:27

That's a long drive for that, so you know.Can Telstar give OOB a game I.Guess is the question here.Yeah, I know, I know.Old Orchard beat him during the regular season.I.Don't know what the margin was, but I've, you know, pulling it up now this Old Orchard with their.

57:42

Prolific.Offense, the fact that they've won so much in recent years, good luck.Good luck knocking them off.What was the score, 50 to 12?Well, there you go.And it's not to say that you.Can't, you know, turn something like that around?But it's very unlikely at Trape, yeah.Yeah, so, but the South, the north rather is kind of fun.

58:05

You got Stearns and Orno at both at six and two, Dexter at 5:00 and 3:00 and then Bucksport is at 3:00 and 5:00 and probably not going to be in this much longer, right?Yep.And.So, so orno so.Stearns beat Orno.

58:21

In the regular season.And that's probably why they're the one seed instead of the two.I believe so.I'm bringing it up now.Let's see Stearns beat Orno 60 to 20. 2IN Week 2 right?

58:37

So I mean they.They lost.All the orchard and then.And how?Close was that game that was close at halftime, it was.OK.I was going to say, I mean, that's, that's.Potentially a state game.That's a lot of fun, probably with a lot of points.Yeah, I.

58:53

Mean there was 3420 when they played earlier this year, which seems less respectable for that.Yeah, yeah.And then?Let me bring up the right window here.So then in the semi, what is this, a semi final?Yeah, it's a semi final.There's only four.

59:09

Is Orno.Dexter.I believe they played earlier this year.They did, yeah.Orno. 46 to 40.OK, so there could be a.Shootout was flip a coin.It could be a shootout, yeah. 46 to 40, that game was played on Dexter's terrible field, OK.

59:27

And you know.The field is.It's bad, but I've seen worse.Yeah, it's the press box is really bad.It was it was the I had to go up a.Ladder just.To go talk to mark from eastern main sports and it was a matchy ladder qualifies a press box for.

59:43

Me and I don't do ladders at my age.If I don't you don't do ladders.I I don't like heights.I'm the same way a thing with heights.I'm good, I stayed.Down on the.Sidelines.It's all.It's all set.I'll write in my car if I have to, yeah.OK.So I mean, that's a good semi final right there or no?

1:00:00

Definitely sounds like it could be.So that.'D be in Orno and then the winner gets.Stearns and I added up, so Stearns beat Orno like we said, and they beat Dexter 58 to 22.So the math says this is probably Stearns and Old Orchard Beach in the state game.

1:00:18

Exactly.And I until someone knocks him off.I'm I'm on the Old Orchard Beach train, not the literal one that goes through.Town.But you know what?I.Mean I do know what you mean I.My mother grew up there, so we go there every summer.Yeah, I'm familiar with the train track.

1:00:34

I've never been to a game, but I tried to get to 1 this year, but it just didn't work out.It's one of those things, you know, where it's like, do I want to go to the game an hour and a half away that is going to be a blowout, or do I want to go to the good game 45 minutes?That's an easy choice, no question about it.Yeah, yeah.

1:00:50

All right.So that's, yeah, I think that's Old Orchard Beach.I feel good about that.The gulls.I think that's a safe pick, yeah.It is a safe pick, Stearns you.Know they prove they can hang with them for at least 1/2 which is saying they love another shot and maybe they get it.

1:01:10

They would love another shot.Yeah, but I mean, Ole Archer reached 436 points, scored to 152 allowed.It's almost 3 to one.Yeah, that is, that is.Crazy.And they're going to get a week of rest.They're not going.To get, you know, any more banged up against Boothbay.

1:01:26

No, no, they're going to be in good shape.They're going to.They're ready.For another title run, I think.Should this one go to a?Regionless I.I actually kind of like the regionalists in a lot of cases, and I think when there's not that many teams to begin with, I think it's the way to go.

1:01:43

One of the things I really like about volleyball is even though they've gone to four classes, it's statewide.It makes for some interesting Rd. trips and matchups.But you know, let's face it, if you try to split it up by region, it it, it's not going to be very equitable generally, right, Right.

1:01:58

So yeah, I got.Into a volleyball this year because Madame has a program and my niece is on it.Shout out to Brooke and they played really well.What's the polite way to say they met?Ran into the Peter Webb All Stars in the tournament so they have those in every sport.

1:02:18

They have those in every sport, yeah.And yeah, and they.Have all.Winter to be upset about it and get better for next year.But I mean they went to they went to the quarterfinals and should have won in their first years in the sport, which is awesome and it's a lot of fun to watch.

1:02:38

It's it's a great sport and it's grown so much, I mean.I wasn't that long ago.It was one class actually, when I first started, there were hardly any teams in this part of the state that even had volleyball, which is crazy to think about.Think Yarmouth, Gorham.I mean, there was it was crazy.And then Greeley started a program and became a powerhouse and I it's everywhere and it's such an easy sport to have and it's relatively inexpensive.

1:02:59

You know, the gyms available in the fall.It's it's just, but you know, the, the, the noise level, the energy, the passion around it is, is great.And you know, I'm looking forward to some big matches this week as the state matches Saturday USM for classes this coming Saturday.

1:03:15

So you got the, the quote UN quote divisional finals, which I think don't even get me started on that nonsense.It's it's the state semi finals, you know, Gorham, Shavers, Scarborough TA and then the winners of those two matches will meet in the state finals on Saturday.For class, AB is probably going to be York and Washington Academy, who might be the two best teams in the state regardless of class.

1:03:36

So that's all going to be coming to an end by by the end of this week.We're going to crown our first team champions outside of golf.It's wild that Washington.Academy up way.Up there has like the best team in this.Yeah.And they've, you know, they've had a program for a long.Time but they weren't at these at the level of these top schools down here and now they are.

1:03:54

You know, they won states a year ago, but York's York's terrific.I saw them BTA earlier this year.I think a lot of people feel like they might be the best team regardless of class.They lost a close match to Gorham.That's the only match they've lost all year.No shame in that because Gorham's A2 time defending a champ, so no, volleyball's awesome.

1:04:10

I can't wait to to see what this week brings because there's going to be a lot of excitement and just this is just.Anecdotally, but I was talking to someone in in the real world about volleyball and they're like, oh, so if you have like the one girl who can like serve overhand, you're going to beat everyone.

1:04:26

I'm like, no, no, some of these girls, some of these girls will.Murder you with.These spikes like that you have to do, you got to get him the ball too and you got to be able.To stop coming over the court to be over the net to begin with.So now every, you know, a lot of these girls play, you know, out outside of school and year long, you know, year round and they're, they're just, it's played at a really high level.

1:04:51

It's not only have more and more schools gotten it, but the quality of play has just gone up and up and up.Yeah, I was.I was really.Impressed 'cause I didn't know what to.Expect 'cause I didn't go to any of the games last year when they were just doing JVS.And I was like, I remember like watching volleyball in high school and it was not great.

1:05:10

And I was instantly impressed.I was like, oh wow, this is pretty cool.And it's really popular at the college level.I mean some of these.College teams and they they're drawing crowds that equal basketball, football game type crowds in some cases.So it's, it's really, I think an an ascending sport as far as something that people watch.

1:05:30

Yeah, real.Quick, who do you like in soccer and field hockey?So field hockey's going to be interesting.I I still.Think Chevres is the team to beat in Class A, certainly down here, although Biddeford is one team that I think could beat them and you know, if they meet in the regional final, I think anything goes.

1:05:45

Biddeford tied Chevres earlier this year in the second meeting.Chevres won by a goal.So that, you know, that's going to be a lot of fun if that's how it shakes out.Yarmouth and Freeport are on a collision course yet again in Class B.And, you know, two years ago, Freeport won the championship.

1:06:01

Last year, Yarmouth knocked him off and lost in the state game.And this year, Yarmouth's beaten Freeport twice.So.Oh, and they are right next to each other, right next to each.Other and if we get a four.And five, and I honestly think, you know, if you lose twice in the regular season, you have the advantage going into that playoff match up, right?

1:06:19

It's hard to beat a good team three times and we'll see if that's actually how it shakes out, but I, I, that's going to be a lot of fun to watch here over the next couple weeks too.Soccer, Falmouth, Scarborough, it's the same story, boys and girls in class AS they're they're the 1-2 seeds in both.

1:06:35

Falmouth is actually the site of the regional final, which gives the number 2 seeds in both cases a home game, so it'll be interesting to see how that goes.And you know, Class BI think it's going to come down to Yarmouth and Greeley on the boys side and then the Cape girls have been as good as anyone in any sport.They're going to be really tough to knock off on the girls side there, OK?

1:06:55

And then real quick.Scale of 1 to 10 How excited are you about Drake?May 10, 1/2 Yeah, it's a. 1010 No, it's been it's been great.This season has exceeded my wildest dreams.I you know, I, I think we all thought he was going to be good and hoped he would be very good, but it's just crazy to think how things have changed.

1:07:14

You know, let's not forget there are one and two and they had five turnovers against the Steelers and everyone's like, Oh my God, this team is going to be awful again and they haven't lost since and no, it's it's great.And I mean the Sky's the limit with him.It's kind of like with you're talking about Cooper.I mean, he's 23 years old.He doesn't even have like big time weapons around him yet.

1:07:32

And I think for Abel's been terrific.I think Stefan Diggs has been terrific for this team as a leader.I yeah, it's great.It's so much fun.I don't know how, you know, if they're an elite team.I don't think they're that good.I think they might get exposed against some of the top teams when all is said and done.

1:07:48

But at this point, there's a a yellow brick road into the playoffs.You know, hopefully they follow it.Oh yeah.And and keep keep this up because it's been it's been a lot of fun to to watch wins again after some some rough years where they found new and and interesting and ridiculous ways to lose.Do you think Jerrod Mayo?

1:08:06

Is sitting at home.And going, hey, I drafted this guy.Well, he's give me.Some credit, he's probably counting his buyout money and and laying low.But yeah, I mean, that that was the right decision moving on from him and the drafting Drake May was the right decision bringing Grabill in.

1:08:24

You know, happy days are here again in Foxborough and it's been great and I hope this ride continues.It's been super fun.Yeah.And if you're a gambling person, can I reckon I cannot recommend highly enough the Drake may parlay 240 yards passing, 2 touchdowns, 40 yards rushing.

1:08:42

He hits it like every other game.It pays like 8 to 1.All right, good.Well, you found something.It's you're on to.Something there, it's yeah, it's like the, it's the early.Days like early days of the Derek White block shot, where that was just easy money.Yeah, well, that'll go away soon.

1:08:57

The world will.Be out.But no, it's it's great so far that's worked out.It's going great.OK, so.Michael Hoffer, thanks, as always.Maine High, What's Hoffer's high School?That's all right.It's Monday.Hoffer's High School Sports.

1:09:13

Dot com is the site.Yes, subscribe.He will, he will.Write more stories than you ever thought possible for a human being to write.He's writing them during the games he's covering and and then he's recording podcasts in his spirit.

1:09:28

Do what you got to do.You got to do what you got to do.I've seen him on the sidelines, He's writing notes and he's taking pictures and he's shooting video and he needs like a crew.You need like a whole crowd.I could use, I could use just the photography video.Stuff would be would be enormous to have, but for now I'm not making a do myself.

1:09:45

So you know, if you do what you have to, you could like strap a GoPro.To your head.Like that might be next.Like a skier.Yeah, you might you.Might see me in the spring with.That who knows?And then you could just strap or strap your.IPhone to your head and then you get one of those like shutter things you can press that will stop start it and then there you go that's what OK all.

1:10:05

Right.I'll see you on.The sideline, OK.That's the show, thanks again to Michael Hoffer.It's Hoffer's High School Sports is in a fantastic resource.He really, you'll get like 3 emails a day where he's published some story and the each of those stories is longer than anything you've written in the last five years probably.

1:10:24

And I don't know how he does it.I don't know when he sleeps.It's really impressive.But thanks again to Hoffer for coming on the show.Thanks to Vertical Rays for sponsoring.The show.Helps pay for.You see, I got newish lights.They're not great lights, but they're newer and it looks better.

1:10:41

Which is, you know, that's all you can ask for.This has been a production of Maine basketballrankings.com, your source for the most comprehensive coverage of Maine high school basketball from Ashland to York and everywhere in between.This podcast is available wherever you listen to podcasts and a bunch of places you don't.

1:10:59

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