The Messalonskee High School golf team has been here before. With last week's 9-0 win over Erskine, the Eagles finished the regular season 10-0, just as they did in 2007. Last year, the team missed qualifying for states by three strokes.

Trying to avoid a repeat of last season's disappointment has been a motivator, Messalonskee coach Jim Kerschner said.

"We just try to be consistent," Kerschner said. "We realize we have to play well to get into states."

The Eagles' top player is Mike Bouchard. A senior, Bouchard's average score is 38, and he shot a 36 to earn medalist honors in Messalonskee's match with Erskine. Bouchard isn't alone in playing well for the Eagles.

"We have five or six guys who can all shoot in the low 40s or break 40," Kerschner said.

Messalonskee is scheduled to host Mt. Blue in the first round of the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference tournament today at Belgrade Lakes. If the Eagles win, they'll face either Bangor or Brewer on Wednesday for the North division title, with the winner of that playing the South champion on Friday in Rockland.

The KVAC winner gets an automatic bid to the state team championships, at Natanis on Oct. 11. If Messalonskee doesn't win the conference, it will be in the same situation as last year, needing to play well in the conference qualifier on Oct. 7.

"Hopefully, if we don't win the KVAC, when we play the one-day qualifier, we play a little better," Kerschner said. "One thing that's really good with these kids is the attitude. They seem very focused."

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Cony is still waiting to see who its opponent in the first round of the KVAC South playoffs will be. Mt. Ararat and Camden Hills are scheduled to play today, Cony coach Tim Folsom said, and the Rams will face the loser of that match on Tuesday at Natanis. Brunswick will take on the Mt. Ararat/Camden Hills winner.

Although Cony went 9-0 in the regular season, Folsom doesn't see his team as the favorite in the South. Folsom doesn't see a favorite at all.

"All four teams are right there," Folsom said. "We were lucky to play Mt. Ararat at home this year. All four teams are capable of winning."

The key to the Rams success this season is simple, Folsom said.

"The kids played all summer long. They put the time in in the offseason," he said.

Many of Cony's top seven players were playing at the junior varsity level last season, but now many are averaging in the low 40s. That's allowed Folsom to mix and match his lineup.

"It's a nice problem to have," Folsom said.

The Rams closed the regular season with an 8-1 win over Gardiner at The Meadows. The lone loss was a close number one match between Cony's Kyle Bonenfant and Gardiner's Ryan Gay, the two-time Class A state individual champ and the winner of the Maine Amateur title in July. Bonenfant and Gay were even with two holes left before Gay pulled out a 33-37 win.

"Ryan said it was the best match he's had all year," Folsom said.

Travis Lazarczyk -- 861-9242

tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com