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11/06/2009
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Photo by Jeff Poulandfrom the Kennebec Journal
BUDGET CUTS ORDERED
Many happy returns in Richmond
Tax woes land on Whitefield
Rapist denied new trial
AUGUSTA MINDING A MINE
SPORT OF KINGS Falconry a blend of dedication and commitment
COLLEGE HOCKEY: Maine rallies but falls short against Boston College
COLLEGE ROUNDUP: Colby women win season opener at home tournament
All of today's:
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from the Kennebec Journal
from the Morning Sentinel
WEDDING BURGLAR JAILED
Youths talk Turkey Day
Plenty of free Thanksgiving meals available
Turkey prices make for happier holiday
Kennebec County Superior Court
POLICE
COLLEGE HOCKEY: Maine rallies but falls short against Boston College
COLLEGE ROUNDUP: Colby women win season opener at home tournament
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Morning Sentinel
BY TRAVIS LAZARCZYK
Staff Writer
The Messalonskee High School football team is looking forward to its second crack at Bangor. Lawrence, meanwhile, is preparing for its first look at Brunswick.
It's the semifinal week for the Pine Tree Conference Class A. No. 4 Messalonskee (6-3) travels north to take on No. 1 Bangor (9-0), while No. 3 Brunswick is at No. 2 Lawrence. Both games kickoff at 7 tonight.
Messalonskee gave undefeated Bangor its closest game of the regular season, falling to the Rams 13-12 on Sept. 25. The Eagles are the only team to hold Bangor's potent offense under 28 points this season. In that game, Messalonskee held Lonnie Hackett, the league's leading rusher, to just 97 yard on 28 carries.
"We've already played them. There's no mystery with (Hackett)," Messalonskee head coach Wes Littlefield said. "He has great speed. You need to keep him contained."
As strong as the Rams' running game is with Hackett, their passing game can strike for a big play, too. In the first game against the Eagles, Bangor quarterback Joe Seccareccia threw a 94-yard touchdown pass to Josiah Hartley. Hartley, along with Nate Henigan, gives the Rams a pair of tall and talented receivers.
Offensively, the Eagles hope to grind out long drives and control the clock. Fullback Desmond Nutter and wingback Bryan Boyce lead Messalonskee's running attack, and quarterback Dylan Foster has a strong and reliable receiver in tight end Ryan Bender.
"For us, it's a matter of being patient and running our offense," Littlefield said. "Bangor's really disciplined on defense. The best bet is to just go get them."
Linebackers Nate Natole and Josh Hall lead Messalonskee in tackles. Seccareccia, a safety, and linebacker Nic Cota lead the Rams' defense.
Brunswick hosted Lawrence for a preseason scrimmage back in late August, but the day was cut short when heavy rain rolled in. The Dragons didn't come away from the experience with any new knowledge of Lawrence.
"All we took away is what we already knew. Lawrence is a very good team," Brunswick head coach Dan Cooper said.
Aside from undefeated Bangor, Brunswick is the hottest team in the conference right now. Since losing to Messalonskee, 18-15, in Week 3, the Dragons have won six straight games. Sandwiched around the loss to Messalonskee, Brunswick had a come-from-behind win at Skowhegan and a one-point win over Lewiston.
"We're playing our best football right now, and those early season tests made us a better team."
Cooper said his team probably hasn't played an opponent as athletic as Lawrence. The Bulldogs offense is led by halfback Christian Powers, who has 1,388 yards rushing and 29 touchdowns. Nate Letourneau and Curtis Dow are also strong runners for Lawrence, which has reached the semifinals for the fifth consecutive season.
The Lawrence defense earned its second shutout of the season with last week's 28-0 quarterfinal win over Skowhegan. Linebacker Derrick Giggey leads the Bulldogs in tackles. This week Lawrence faces a multifaceted offense. Quarterback Stefan Jensen threw 11 touchdown passes in the regular season, five to receiver Rashon Edgerton.
"(Jensen) is a playmaker," Lawrence head coach John Hersom said. "He's an athlete. We have a lot of respect for him."
Fullback John Williams leads the Dragons in rushing, and also is Brunswick's top defensive player. Williams ran for seven touchdowns and caught five more in the regular season.
Lawrence quarterback Bobby Belanger has nine touchdown passes. Jeshua Dearborn caught 10 passes for the Bulldogs in the regular season, five going for scores.
Travis Lazarczyk -- 861-9242
tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com
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