The Rookie Raider

For Saturday's Game of the Day, I headed up to Winslow for what might be a Gold Ball preview.

After a heartbreaking loss in Week 1 when they couldn't cash in a 2-point conversion in the final minute in Wells, Winslow handled Bapst in Oak Hill to set up a Saturday matinee against an unbeaten Freeport team that outlasted Winthrop in Week 2. Freeport also happens to have maybe the worst roster sheet in the state.

Winslow is known for their running game, so of course they opened the scoring with a passing touchdown from freshman QB Jace Poulin.

This was a defensive battle. Winslow held Freeport's offense (highest scoring in D and 11th in the state at 37 points/game) to 155 yards. If you want a caveat, Freeport QB Andrew Thomas (who scored Freeport's touchdown) was struggling with a bandaged thumb. He spent the 4th quarter on the sideline with an ice pack on his hand.

Poulin scored himself in the second half to make it 14-6. Freeport's drive late came up short and Winslow knocked Freeport from the ranks of the unbeaten.

There are now zero unbeaten teams in class D. Week 4 seems early for that.

Off the top of my head, I couldn't think of another school with a freshman starting at quarterback and certainly not one that thinks they might be playing for a Gold Ball this year, but that's what Winslow has under center.

After the game, I spoke to Poulin.

Mike Mandell was there.

Winslow football tops Freeport in battle of Class D contenders

The last undefeated Class D team falls, as the Black Raiders take down the Falcons in a defensive battle at Poulin Field.

The Portland Press HeraldMike MandellStaff Writer

Elsewhere

Lars Bruhn scored touchdowns three ways (run, catch, fumble 6) as Fryeburg handled Camden...Giovanni D’Elia accounted for 3 scores as Kennebunk blanked Gorham...Landen Reny had three touchdowns as Leavitt smoked Wells.

Rankings

Which brings us to the Power Rankings after 4 weeks.

This week on the podcast is another busy one. Today, Jarod Richmond from WHOU and Maine Public joins me to Overreact to Week 4. Jarod's an acclaimed broadcaster and former football coach, so he brings an unique perspective to the Overreactions series.

This week, we lament the Patriots' dismal showing against the Jags, try and figure out who will be left out of the A South playoffs, go over the chaotic B South, home court advantage vs home field advantage, Lawrence vs Cony, Greely vs Leavitt, Yarmouth's insane offense, and a whole lot more.

Then on Thursday, Greely head coach Caleb King joins the podcast to talk about their unique rebirth of a program and transition from 8-man to 11-man.

I've been experimenting with the 2 a week schedule: an overview of the landscape on Monday and a deeper dive long-form interview on Thursday and it seems to be working based on the numbers and the feedback from people I don't know mentioning it at games. So the plan is to continue it.

If you've missed the Thursday episodes so far:

BDN's Mike Shepherd
Westbrook's Sam Johnson
Cony's BL Lippert
Stearns' Cody Herring
MPA's Mike Bisson

Make sure you subscribe to get them in your feed early.

And of course, check out Jarod on the Overreactions Podcast.

Either on YouTube or Apple Podcasts or wherever else you podcast.

Where's a flop technical when you need one?

I don't love this new college sports scene where players can "go pro" and then go back to college, mostly because it all seems silly, but if there's one thing I support in college athletics, it's Robbie Avila playing more college basketball.

Robbie Avila, aka ‘Cream Abdul Jabbar’ is enrolled at Saint Louis University, ‘wants to play’ | Zagsblog

By ADAM ZAGORIA Saint Louis University basketball […]

ZagsblogAdam Zagoria

It's hard to argue that college sports aren't just the minor leagues for the NBA and the NFL, what with NIL and everything, so what's the difference between playing some Summer League games.

It all seems hopelessly broken.

But I'm all for more Robbie Avila.

Speaking of college basketball...

If you read Saturday's newsletter, there was a bit on Pablo Torre's investigation of Tim Tebow and Life Surge, which is almost certainly a predatory scam.

One of the athletes on the Life Surge guest roster is Joe Mazzulla...or at least he was. Mazzulla cut all ties with Life Surge after the report. He didn't even wait around for what will almost certainly be a part 2 or 6 of Torre's reporting.

Joe Mazzulla backs out of Life Surge event after organization accused of predatory practices - The Boston Globe

The faith-based company allegedly preys on attendees, pressuring them to pay for financial coaching. Mazzulla was set to speak at an event, set up by his agents.

The Boston GlobePrint this Article View Comments

Let's go to B South field hockey where Leavitt is hosting Gardiner.

The Hornets started the season 6-0 before giving Skowhegan their toughest test of the season on Saturday. They're in a 3-way battle for the 1 seed in B North with Nokomis and Belfast.

As for Gardiner, they're trying to lock down a playoff spot--they're very nearly there--and hold on to the 5 seed and avoid a first round date with one of the trifecta at the top of the standings.

The rest of the Model's picks for today's games are after the jump.