Week 9 football: Picks on Dover at Exeter, Spaulding at Winnacunnet, and Maine playoffs
Week 9 of the high school football season is here, and that means it's the final week of the regular season in New Hampshire, and the opening week of playoffs, excluding 8-Man, in Maine.
The two Maine playoff games feature Marshwood hosting Gorham in a Class B South contest, and York visiting Cape Elizabeth in Class C.
In New Hampshire, there are two Division I Seacoast battles, both with playoff implications and seedings. Dover visits Exeter, and Winnacunnet hosts Spaulding. Also in Division I on Friday, Portsmouth/Oyster River travels to Timberlane.
On Saturday, in Division II, St. Thomas Aquinas heads to Gilford/Belmont, and Somersworth visits Winnisquam in Division IV.
Here is a look at this week's games with our predictions.
No. 6 Gorham (2-6) at No. 3 Marshwood (4-4)
Kickoff: Friday, 6 p.m.
The breakdown: The Hawks are hoping the momentum from last Friday’s fourth-quarter rally at Kennebunk will carry over to the Class B South playoffs against Gorham, the fifth time the two teams have met in the postseason in the last six years.
Marshwood scored 27 points in the final quarter last Friday – their best quarter of the season – to overcome a 22-point deficit before falling one-point short, 41-40, after a two-point conversion attempt was stopped just shy of the goal line with 18 seconds to play.
Gorham could be a handful if their regular-season matchup is any indication. The Hawks rallied late to win 30-27 on Brady Isabelle’s 28-yard field goal with 31 seconds to play.
Offensively, last week, the Hawks got big games from senior back Dylan Grassi (8 carries, 95 yards 2 TDs) and junior QB Tyler Hussey (8-14 passing, 70 yards, 2 TDs; 11-44 rushing, TD). Juniors Landon Waterman and Ryan Essex also pitched in with a TD each, combining for over 100 rushing yards.
The defense also came up big in the fourth quarter. They recovered a fumble on a kickoff and stopped Kennebunk on downs in the final minutes to make the comeback possible.
Friday’s winner will play at No. 2 Massabesic next week in a regional semifinal.
Coach’s comment: “In the first game (with Gorham) we felt like we stopped ourselves a bunch of times with either penalties or bad play,” said coach Alex Rotsko. “We need to eliminate that. But that has been an issue all year. We’re hoping we can correct that. The big thing I think in the first game was 11 times they had third or fourth and long and we only stopped them three times. We gave up some big plays in those situations. We have to be able to stop them on third and long and fourth down. … I’m hoping (that momentum from last week) carries over. We seemed to play with a lot more interest. We just seemed more excited in that fourth quarter. But you can’t wait that late to play like that. You need to play like that from the get-go. That’s been kind of an issue.”
Our prediction: The Hawks kick it into gear and roll past the Rams. Marshwood, 33-19.
Follow the game on Twitter: @mwhaley25
-Mike Whaley
No. 5 York (2-6) at No. 4 Cape Elizabeth (2-6)
Kickoff: Friday, 7 p.m.
The breakdown: The Wildcats limp into the Class C South playoffs on a four-game losing streak; a streak that started with a 30-27 loss at Cape Elizabeth in Week 5.
Since that loss, York has lost to Fryeburg Academy (43-6), Oceanside (60-40) and Biddeford (30-28).
However, York head coach Matt Nelson believes his team can get a win on the road and visit top-seeded Leavitt next week in a regional semifinal.
After an 0-4 start to the season, Cape has gone 2-2, including last week's 6-3 win at Freeport; a win which gave the Capers a home game this week.
Coach's comment: "I think this is going to be a good competitive game for us," Nelson said. "If we can eliminate mistakes and win the turnover-battle I think we'll have better success than we had (against them) the last time. It's a good opportunity for us to get up there and make right what we didn't do right the first time around."
Our prediction: The Wildcats may be down a few starters on both sides of the ball, but will give everything they have to extend their season one more week. However, Cape Elizabeth takes advantage of York's injuries and advances in a close game. Cape Elizabeth 24, York 21.
-Jay Pinsonnault
Dover (5-2) at Exeter (5-2)
Kickoff: Friday, 7 p.m.
The breakdown: This is probably the Division I Game of the Week with two teams looking to finish a good regular season on the right foot before playoffs begin.
Dover comes in winners of four of its last five games, while Exeter's win last week snapped a Division I two-game losing streak.
"(Dover) is a very, very skilled football team," Exeter head coach Bill Ball said. "A lot of experience, and a lot of guys who have played a lot of varsity snaps. They have some really good young talent, and it starts with their quarterback Ryder Aubin. Certainly (Brady) McInnes is a really fine two-way football player, and (Bryce) Carberry is as good a tight end as you can find in the state. Amari Lewis, freshman is very athletic ... they're an experienced group and they're hard to handle."
"Obviously it's a familiar opponent, and a team that we've competed against year-in and year-out," Dover head coach Eric Cumba said. "They're such a storied and respected program, and have seen great success. A lot of the things they do so well carries on from year to year, we'll have our hands full."
Cumba said his team will have to find a way to slow down Exeter's running game.
"We have to make sure we're ready and understand where we're supposed to be defensively to be able to keep the ball in front of us, and make plays when we have a chance," Cumba said.
Our prediction: The Exeter defense will have its hands full with the Dover offense, and Dover will be tested by a physical Exeter front, but pulls out a win. Dover, 24-21.
Follow the game on Twitter: @brandonbrownSC1
-Brandon Brown
Spaulding (3-4) at Winnacunnet (1-6)
Kickoff: Friday, 7 p.m.
The breakdown: The playoffs officially start next week, but in reality, the playoffs started a month ago for Kevin Hebert and the Red Raiders.
Spaulding started the season with losses against Portsmouth/Oyster River, Exeter and Dover, but since a win at out-of-state Edward Little in Week 4, the Red Raiders have run off three straight Division I wins against Central, Memorial, and Nashua South, and have stayed alive for one of the 10 at-large bids.
Hebert believes a win at Winnacunnet will solidify one of those coveted playoff berths.
Coach's comments: "There are all kinds of scenarios of teams beating teams, but we're treating this game as we've treated each one of our games in the past month," Hebert said. "If we want a postseason spot, we have to win this game. The reality is, the only way we assure ourselves a spot is to win our game. I believe a win gets us in, but I am not 100% sure on that. I know it pretty much gives us a really good opportunity to make the tournament."
Winnacunnet enters with just one win on the season, but Hebert said his team is definitely not looking past Ryan Francoeur and the Warriors.
"They've got some good kids, who can play," Hebert said. "I keep reminding our guys is when you think you might win a game before you play, you lose. That's the way it works. We have to go out there and execute. They're a good team. It's their Senior Night, and they'll be hungry. I am sure we'll get their best shot, and I am hoping we can match that intensity."
Winnacunnet has lost two straight games since beating Goffstown for its lone win of the season. Francoeur doesn't want to give Spaulding a "free pass" into the tournament.
"I think you look for any motivation to play well each week, and our motivation each week has been to get better," Francoeur said. "I think even Coach Hebert would say no one wants to get in (the playoffs) on a free pass, and we don't want to give them a free pass. Hopefully, we can do our job and make it as difficult as possible for them on Friday night."
Our prediction: Winnacunnet keeps it close for the first half, but Spaulding wins its fifth straight game, and grabs a playoff spot with a two-score win. Spaulding 27, Winnacunnet 17.
Follow the game on Twitter: @JayPinceSMG
-Jay Pinsonnault
Portsmouth/Oyster River (7-0) at Timberlane (3-4)
Kickoff: Friday, 7 p.m.
The breakdown: One more win and the ClipperCats will have an undefeated regular season, but Portsmouth must take care of business in a tough atmosphere against a good Timberlane team.
"We scrimmaged them in the preseason, and the improvement they've made is remarkable from where they were a year ago until now," Portsmouth head coach Brian Pafford said. "They're going to be a tough out, fighting for their playoff lives. If they win, they're in, if not, they don't know. So they're backed in a corner and they're going to come out swinging."
Timberlane has alternated wins and losses the entire season, earning a 21-6 win over Winnacunnet last week.
Portsmouth is playing extremely well on both sides of the ball, and Max Durkin deserves to be mentioned as one of the better players when it comes to disrupting plays for opposing offenses.
The Owls have scored at least 20 points in three straight games, but Portsmouth has not allowed a team to score more than 14 points since a 24-22 win over Dover back in September.
Our prediction: The ClipperCats will definitely be in for a fight, but Portsmouth has been in a couple of battles this season, so the lights won't be too bright. Portsmouth-Oyster River 28, Timberlane 13.
Follow the game on Twitter: @tcovey11
-Brandon Brown
St. Thomas (5-3) at Gilford-Belmont (4-4)
Kickoff: Saturday, 2 p.m.
The breakdown: Another week, another battle to improve playoff seeding for St. Thomas. Coach Ed McDonough said these late-season challenges against playoff-caliber teams will have his team battle-tested for the post-season.
Coach's comments: “I think it’s a big game,” McDonough said. “They need it to get into the playoffs, and we need it if we want to host a playoff game. It's conceivable that a win would put us in the top four, hosting a playoff game, while a loss would (put us on the road)."
McDonough said Gilford/Belmont is a good team that poses problems for his defense.
“Nobody wants to back into the playoffs,” McDonough said. “It would be nice to go up there and win and get some momentum heading into the playoffs. But they're a good team, they're a hungry team. They want to get this win to get to 5-4 and leapfrog us in the standings.”
McDonough said the Saints have to establish the run early, and lean on their stable of ball carriers to set the tone – and the pace – of the game.
Defensively, the Saints have to play tough, but stay disciplined, especially since penalties have been a struggle in recent weeks.
“If we can take the off-tackle stuff away from them, we can make their lives difficult,” McDonough said. “You’ve got to stay home (on defense), do your job, play your gap and execute. We're certainly capable of going in there and getting the win, but it won’t’ be easy.“
Prediction: The Saints march into Gilford and come away with a win. St. Thomas Aquinas 21-10.
-Terrill Covey
Somersworth (4-1) at Winnisquam (1-5)
Kickoff: Saturday, 2 p.m.
The breakdown: The rested Hilltoppers had an unexpected week off as injuries with Newfound caused the cancellation of last Saturday's Division IV game.
Winnisquam's lone win came against Newfound, and has allowed just under 35 points in their five losses.
Coach's comment: "(Winnisquam) is battling kind of a tough season," Somersworth head coach Jeremy Lambert said. "But they're always a tough team. Their numbers are a little rough for them, but the kids are always aggressive, always tough and they are well-coached. We're going to have to play a good football game."
With a win, Somersworth will be the No. 2 seed in next week's Division IV tournament, assuming Newport beats Raymond this week, and is the No. 1.
"Realistically, we're looking at being the No. 2," Lambert said. "The kids are anxious and ready to go. Any time you (don't play a game) the kids get bummed out, but get hyped for the next one."
Lambert expects to have his full compliment of players available for the first time since the second week of the season.
Our prediction: Somersworth keeps rolling, and takes one more step to an eventual date with Newport in the Division IV state championship game. Somersworth 56, Winnisquam 0.
-Jay Pinsonnault
Our record on game picks
Last week: 8-1, Season-to-date: 52-16.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Seacoast high school football predictions: Who will win in Week 9
