Westbrook's Championship Defense

For the opening night of the football season, it seemed like the obvious choice was to head to Westbrook to see if the Class B champs could continue their winning ways in a new season (with a new quarterback) against a Cheverus team considered by some to be a contender in B South.

Steve Craig pegged them as a potential Cinderella in B South.

What does it take for a rapid rise to the top in Maine high school football?

Westbrook last season and Falmouth in 2024 proved it’s possible to go from also-ran to champion in one season. Which team can do it in 2026?

Centralmaine.comSteve CraigStaff Writer

It was my first trip to Westbrook and here is where I remind you to listen to the podcast episode to Blue Blazes head coach Sam Johnson.

Westbrook's defense came out amped. They forced a bad throw on Cheverus' first drive that Andre Hicks III was able to pick off.

He scored on a run to finish off the drive and give Westbrook a 6-0 lead they took into the half. But it should have been more. Lucas Roberson returned a fumble for a TD, but the return was negated by a blocking penalty. The Blazes forced three turnovers in that first half and the question at the break was if they'd scored enough. Surely the Stags wouldn't be blanked.

They made their run in the second half. Will Baker's rushing TD tied the game at 6 and when Cheverus took the lead on a Jackson Holmes field goal, it looked like they had all the momentum. It probably didn't help that Westbrook had faked a punt on two straight possessions and they had both failed.

Westbrook got the momentum back with rush-heavy drive, capped by a Hunter Hall score and had a chance to put the game away with a 1st and goal late, but Cheverus' defense held, giving them one last chance with 1:18 to go.

Then Westbrook dialed up the defense.

They forced the easiest intentional grounding call you'll ever see, followed by a safety to shut the door and start the year with a statement win.

Michael Hoffer was there.

Westbrook opens title defense with narrow win over Cheverus

WESTBROOK—The stardust has carried over. Westbrook’s football team, which penned an unforgettable, inspirational storybook tale like no other a year ago, began a new title quest Thursday night at Olmsted Field. Where once again, the Blue Blazes faced adversity and had to make big plays with the game

Hoffer's High School SportsMichael Hoffer

A little further south was the other marquee game of the day.

Kennebunk and Falmouth have had a couple of nice matchups the last 2 years and last night was no different.

We've got a full football slate today with 28 games and a bunch of communities are going to get their first real look at their new coach in action. There's 18 new coaches this year across the state.

Meet Maine’s 18 new high school football coaches

Nearly 23 percent of the state’s varsity programs have a new boss in 2026.

The Portland Press HeraldSteve CraigStaff Writer

If you thought last year was bad at UNC under Bill Belichick's leadership, year 2 is looking to be much, much worse.

Lawyers hired to conduct the investigation are also questioning people about whether defensive coordinator Steve Belichick used drugs on the job or provided drugs to at least one player — and, separately, about whether a member of UNC's recruiting staff had a sexual relationship with a player, people familiar with the investigation told WRAL. They also asked about possible sexual relationships between assistant coaches and recruiting staff, the people said.

Yikes.

UNC’s Michael Lombardi resigns as investigation reportedly includes questions about Steve Belichick

Lombardi had been on paid leave since July. Investigators are reportedly asking questions about accusations of drug use by Belichick, as well as inquiring about inappropriate relationships in the football program.

Yahoo! SportsNick Bromberg

Next time someone tells you a small team can't compete, show them this.

Once again, the Game of the Day comes from soccer.

Could be worth a trip to Falmouth!

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