Football

Coach: Matt Perkins

Last year’s record: 11-1, won Class A state championship

Key players: Drew Gagnon, senior, WR/DB; Cody Laberge, senior, QB/S; Nick Burton, senior, WR/CB; Kyle Williams, senior, FB/LB; Max McDonald, senior, RB/DE; Matt Dyer, senior, TE/DE; Nate Hjelm, senior, WR/DB

Key games this season: Cheverus, Bonny Eagle

Season outlook: The Eagles knew defending their 2009 title was going to be a tough battle, and that point was driven home in the season opener as they fell to South Portland 13-6 on the road. After the game, Perkins said that he told the team that they had to just move forward and learn from the loss to the Riots. “We’re going to keep coaching and keep getting better,” Perkins said. “No one’s going to give us anything now.”

While the opening loss stings, it shouldn’t derail the Eagles’ chances of putting together a strong 2010 season. The Eagles have another tough game against Cheverus in the home opener on Sept. 10, and then they go on the road to face Gorham and Deering before returning home to face Marshwood on Oct. 1. A rematch of the Western Maine Class A semifinals looms on Oct. 8 as Bonny Eagle looks to avenge their overtime loss in the playoffs last season.

Girls soccer

Coach: Wally LeBlanc

Last year’s record: 8-6

Key players: Some clutch players that will give their all for the Eagles this year are Riley McCarthy, Vanessa Plante, Meghan Gribbin, Jordan Symonds, and Nikki Walton, along with many up-and-coming underclassmen.

Key games: Coach LeBlanc said that he believes that the Eagles will contend with the regional powerhouses at the top of Western Class A, including Scarborough, Gorham, Cheverus, Thornton Academy, and Sanford.

Season outlook: “We are a good team, but we are trying to improve and get to the next level of play,” LeBlanc said. “We would like to qualify for the playoffs, but more than anything else we desire to play each game to the best of our ability and let our results speak for themselves.”

Boys soccer

Coach: Paul Baber

Last year’s record: 14-2

Key players: The Eagles will rely on juniors Robby Lentine and Dana King, as well as seniors Brandon Hodge and Brandon Shaw.

Key games: According to Baber, there are a number of teams who have been down over the last few years who are showing signs of improvement in 2010. As such, in addition to traditional powerhouses such as Scarborough and Gorham, Windham will be on the lookout for rising programs such as Cheverus.

Season outlook: “We’re a very young team this year,” Baber said. “We have a lot of juniors and sophomores on the squad, and even a couple of freshmen. While we think we’ll do well this year – and that we actually have a more physical and athletic strength than last year (and as a result are a better team) – it may take a year for us to come together. However, there is no reason we can’t reach the top again sooner.”

Field hockey

Coach: Christena Dillon

Last year’s record: 8-4-2

Key players: The Eagles lost all but four of their full-time starters to graduation at the end of 2009, so this season will definitely be a rebuilding year. The team will rely heavily on play by co-captain junior forward Molly McVetty and co-captain senior midfielder Liz Silvius. Other seniors such as midfielder Gina Cirillo and Jen Sledge, along with Colleen Holtan, will be expected to come through impressively.

Key games: “Obviously, we would like to be able to play with Bonny Eagle and Scarborough,” Dillon said. “I pretty much think our record will depend on who shows up to win. The talent across the league is pretty much even, and no one school is great or horrible. It’s anyone’s game.”

Season outlook: “The players came together before the season started and listed what their goals were as a team, and one of those goals was to make the playoffs,” Dillon said. “While it’s cliche?, I think since they made that pledge, rather than me laying it on them, it means something more. Personally, I always expect to make the playoffs, so yes – we will make the playoffs.”

Boys cross country

Coach: Jeff Riddle

Last year’s record: According to Riddle, the Windham boys cross country team met its goals last season with another amazing showing. The boys were again able to put the team in a top five position at the regional championship meet. This result again secured them a team slot at the state meet. They ran well at the state meet, placing ninth fastest in Class A and 20th fastest overall against all competing teams.

Key athletes: Keegan Brennan, Robbie Blair, John Clark, Chris Frost, Mike Nadeau, Travis Harkins, Cody Cook, Austin Desmond and Sam Brockelbank

Key meets this season: SMAA Invitational, regional championships

Season outlook: After losing five of their top seven varsity runners and other senior boys, Windham boys cross country will have many challenges in front of them. “The boys are embracing this challenge and hope to again be highly competitive within a very competitive conference,” Riddle said. “The team is young, but with great leadership from their captain Chris Frost and his council, Keegan Brennan and Sam Brockelbank, they again hope to turn heads and earn the respect they deserve. With just under 30 boys out and with varsity earning freshman, like Robbie Blair and John Clark, they look forward to their first few races, which will help paint a clear picture of how well they will stack up within the conference. As always we hope to effectively work all season to have the boys team earn a right to race at the state championship meet in October.”

Girls cross country

Coach: Jeff Riddle

Last year’s record: According to Riddle, the Windham girls cross country team exceeded their expectations and team goals last season. “They did this by having a great showing at the junior varsity cross country race, held graciously by the South Portland coaches, and by having incredibly dedicated runners that represented excellence at the regional varsity championship meet,” Riddle said. “The girls varsity team was living a dream when they earned sixth place at the regional cross country championships, which secured them a team slot at the state meet, something that has not happened for Windham girls cross country in a very long time. They beat historic powerhouse teams for the first time in decades. They earned states as a team and there they placed as the sixth fastest Class A team and ninth fastest overall against all competing teams. At the state meet, both Erin Flatley and Talia McKay earned the right to extend their season and race at the New England championship meet. Erin, at her second New England championship race, placed 90th and Talia McKay, at her first New England championship, placed 111th, which are incredible results considering that five states sent athletes to the race totaling 265 competing student athletes.”

Key athletes: Talia McKay, Erin Flatley, Lucy Algeo, Hannah Damron, Beth Shively, Danielle Bellavance

Key meets this season: SMAA Invitational, Homecoming Week home meet Sept. 29 vs. Thornton Academy and Deering and the regional championships

Season outlook: “With just under 30 girls on our squad, a newly organized program implementing a full-time junior varsity coach, coming off of incredible team and individual successes last season, staying in line with a simple team goal of improving weekly, the girls team is setting realistic goals to again experience team success this season,” Riddle said. “Over the last five years the team has gained respect and position within the SMAA. The team hopes to again work to attain the right to run in the state meet and then hope that those results will speak for their efforts. If you are ever going to follow the Windham High School cross country girls, this is the year to watch!”

The Windham High School golf preview was not available as of the Lakes Region Weekly’s deadline.