Morning Sentinel
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL NOTES: Challenge awaits Skowhegan
BY BILL STEWART
Staff Writer Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel 11/18/2008

BY BILL STEWART

Staff Writer

Like most football coaches, Mike Marston doesn't like change.

The Skowhegan Area High School coach embraces consistency, with each week's preparation mirroring the previous one's.

Marston, whose Indians (10-1) will play Bonny Eagle (9-2) in the Class A state championship game at 6 p.m. Saturday at Portland's Fitzpatrick Stadium, acknowledged a schedule shakeup is possible this week so his team could practice on artificial turf.

The state title game will be played on fake grass, something the Indians haven't done all season.

"I don't want to disrupt the normal flow," Marston said. "I haven't made any firm plans. We may try to get the team on that surface, but it wouldn't be until the latter part of the week."

Marston added that Colby College and Hampden Academy are the only places Skowhegan would try to visit.

"Sometimes I think we'd lose more time coming and going than just practicing," Marston said. "We don't want to drive a long distance."

Colby is about 20 miles from Skowhegan Area High School while Hampden Academy is about 50 miles away.

Marston added that a different playing surface is just another challenge the Indians will face this season. Skowhegan won two road games -- in Fairfield against Lawrence and in Auburn against Edward Little -- just to reach the state final.

"Any time you have to face adversity or overcome obstacles it's good for a football team," he said. "The kids have learned a lot, getting knocked down and getting back up again."

• • •

Marston and Bonny Eagle coach Kevin Cooper met early Sunday morning in Lewiston to exchange game films.

When asked if he had watched the defending state champ Scots, Marston replied, "Oh, yeah. We've already seen them on film. They are an outstanding team. They were on film just what we expected to see."

Marston added that he records most of his team's practices. He then reviews the film each night.

"We film practice and then critique and watch it at night," he said. "We bring it back the next day and see if we can try and correct some things."

• • •

Tickets for the Class A game will be on sale at Skowhegan Area High School on Wednesday through Friday. Tickets, which are $7 for adults and $4 for students (K-12), are available at the high school from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, tickets can be purchased from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• • •

Winthrop (11-0) will play John Bapst (10-1) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the Class C state title game.

The Ramblers are playing in their first state title game since 2000, when they beat Maine Central Institute 22-0.

Winthrop coach Joel Stoneton said the team already has the game plan for the Crusaders. Stoneton and John Bapst coach Dan O'Connell met Saturday in Bangor to exchange film.

On Sunday, Stoneton and staff watched film of the Crusaders most of the day.

"The coaches and I watched film from 1:30 to 6 and then we went out to dinner," he said. "Then we worked until 11. We broke down the film pretty well. We're excited."

Bill Stewart -- 623-3811, ext. 515

bstewart@centralmaine.com

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