Football

Aug. 31 @ Noble 7 p.m.

Sept. 7 Thornton Academy 7 p.m.

Sept. 14 @ Portland 7 p.m.

Sept. 21 Sanford 7 p.m.

Sept. 29 @ Cheverus 7 p.m.

Oct. 5 Kennebunk 7 p.m.

Oct. 12 Biddeford 7 p.m.

Oct. 19 @ Scarborough 7 p.m.

Coach: Jamal Chatman

Last year’s record: 4-4, didn’t make playoffs

Key players: Matt McKenney (Sr.-Athl), Nick Lewis(Sr.-OL/LB), Damon Wallace (Sr.-QB/DB), Nick Greatorex (Jr.-Athl), Jon Woods(Jr.-Athl) and Eric Parlin (Jr.-QB/DB)

Key games: Sept. 7 vs. Thornton Academy, Sept. 21 vs. Sanford, Oct. 19 at Scarborough

Season outlook: Chatman comes over to Gorham after spending the last few seasons coaching at Greely and inherits a team that had a four-win improvement last season over 2010. He’ll be implementing an offense that will mix the triple option and spread to take advantage of his team’s speed. Athleticism will be a major strength, with McKenney, Greatorex and Woods all able to do multiple things out of the backfield and on the outside. Both Wallace and Parlin will be used at the quarterback position, with the focus on making them playmakers as well as facilitators. Like most teams in the SMAA, developing the lines will be Chatman’s greatest task, with Lewis the only big guy on the roster with extended experience at the varsity level. The Rams opened up with a tough 30-0 loss at Noble last Friday, and the schedule gets no easier with a visit from Thornton and a trip to Portland in the next two weeks. Gorham will have to learn Chatman’s system and develop quickly if it hopes to make it back to the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

Boys Soccer

Aug. 31 Westbrook 6 p.m.

Sept. 4 Windham 6 p.m.

Sept. 8 @ Scarborough 11 a.m.

Sept. 10 @ Deering 5 p.m.

Sept. 13 Portland 6 p.m.

Sept. 18 @ Bonny Eagle 6 p.m.

Sept. 20 Thornton Academy 6 p.m.

Sept. 25 Sanford 6 p.m.

Sept. 27 @ Kennebunk 4 p.m.

Oct. 2 South Portland 6 p.m.

Oct. 4 @ Marshwood 6 p.m.

Oct. 9 @ Biddeford 4 p.m.

Oct. 11 @ Noble 6 p.m.

Oct. 16 Cheverus 6 p.m.

Coach: Tim King

Last year’s record: 12-4-0, lost in Western Maine semifinals

Key players: Conor Reagan (Sr.-forward), Kyle Curley (Sr.-defense), Spence Cowand (Sr.-midfield), Austin Bell (Jr.-midfield), Chandler Reagan (So.-forward)

Key games: Sept. 8 vs. Scarborough, Sept. 12 vs. Deering, Oct. 2 at South Portland

Season outlook: After making a run to the playoff semifinals last year before running into the wrecking ball that was Scarborough, Gorham returns one of the most experienced and talented squads in Western Class A this year. The strength of the team will be speed, personified by explosive senior forward Conor Reagan, a first-team SMAA all-star last season who led the Rams in scoring each of his first three seasons. Reagan could be the best player in the SMAA this fall and will be joined up front by his brother Chandler, who scored nine goals last year as a freshman. The middle of the field will be held down by returners Bell and Cowand and the defense will be anchored by senior captain Curley, a smooth and skilled centerback who will be tasked with shutting down opponents’ top forwards. While the team has depth, it won’t have as much as King would have wished after season-ending injuries in the past two weeks to starters Tyler Eldridge and Mike Lubelczyk, a four-year player and senior captain who King called the “heart and soul” of the team. While those injuries will hurt the Rams have some good players stepping up and plenty of experience to overcome a few losses, but staying healthy will be much more important from here on out. The Rams opened the season with a 10-1 route over Westbrook last Friday before getting a tough 1-0 win against defending state champions Windham on Monday, and will face another big test Saturday when they head to Scarborough.

Girls Soccer

Aug. 31 @ Westbrook 6 p.m.

Sept. 4 @ Windham 6 p.m.

Sept. 8 Scarborough 12 p.m.

Sept. 12 Deering 6 p.m.

Sept. 15 @ Portland 11 a.m.

Sept. 18 Bonny Eagle 6 p.m.

Sept. 20 @ Biddeford 6 p.m.

Sept. 22 McAuley 10 a.m.

Sept. 26 @ Sanford 4 p.m.

Sept. 28 Kennebunk 6 p.m.

Oct. 2 @ South Portland 6 p.m.

Oct. 4 Marshwood 6 p.m.

Oct. 11 Noble 8 p.m.

Oct. 16 @ Cheverus 6 p.m.

Coach: Jeanne Zarrilli

Last year’s record: 16-1, lost in Western Maine Final

Key players: Kali St. Germain (Sr.-forward/midfield), Shannon Folan (Sr.-forward/midfield), Sarah Fogg (Sr.-defense), Erin Smith (Sr.-forward/midfield), Libby Andreasen (Sr.-defense), Marissa Roberts (Sr.-goalkeeper)

Key games: Sept. 8 at Scarborough, Sept.12 at Deering, Oct. 16 at Cheverus

Season outlook: The Rams were the team to beat in 2011 and were an agonizing 48 seconds away from overtime in the Western Maine final before rivals Scarborough ended their hopes for a perfect season with a last-minute goal. Gorham loses seven starters from that squad, most of whom had been in their positions for three seasons, but Zarrilli has plenty of returning talent and retains a strong senior six that will provide experience on all areas of the field. The entire backline will be new, but Zarrilli said her defense had looked solid in preseason and that finishing off the many chances her talented midfielders and forwards create will be the X-factor this season. The schedule is tough right from the start with Windham, Scarborough and Deering all coming in the first four games of the fall, and Zarrilli said after a perfect regular season last year it would be important for her squad to stay focused and positive if they drop a few games early. While Gorham should be one of the top teams in Western Class A again this year, Zarrilli said her focus was simply on making the playoffs and having her team get stronger as the year progresses in preparation for what should be another deep playoff run.

Field Hockey

Sept. 1 @ Massabesic 11 a.m.

Sept. 5 Sanford 4 p.m.

Sept. 7 @ Westbrook 4 p.m.

Sept. 11 @ Noble 4 p.m.

Sept. 13 Portland 4 p.m.

Sept. 15 South Portland 1 p.m.

Sept. 21 @ Kennebunk 4 p.m.

Sept. 25 Scarborough 4 p.m.

Sept. 27 Cheverus 4 p.m.

Sept. 29 @ Biddeford 10 a.m.

Oct. 1 @ Thornton Academy 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 3 Windham 7 p.m.

Oct. 5 @ Deering 4 p.m.

Coach: Becky Manson-Rioux

Last year’s record: 5-8-2

Key players: Patty Smith (Sr.-goalkeeper), Evelyn Viernes (Sr.-forward), Jaime Hansen (Sr.-forward), Caitlin Shaw (Sr.-sweeper), Hannah Southard (Jr.-midfield)

Key games: Sept. 7 at Westbrook, Sept. 25 vs. Scarborough, Oct. 3 vs. Windham

Season outlook: Gorham has a large group of returning members from last season and should be competitive within the SMAA. Smith is a three-year varsity starter and one of the best shot stoppers in the state who will be relied on for vocal leadsership from the back. Two-year starter Shaw will be a force at sweeper, anchoring a defense in front of Smith that should be tough to score on. Viernes and Hansen will be looked upon to lead the offense from right and left wing, respectively, and should be able to give opposing defenses fits with their stick skills and speed. Manson-Rioux listed communication and possession will be the two keys to her squad’s success this year, as well as making good decisions with the ball. The Rams should improve as the season progressed but have opened the season with losses to 2-1 and 3-1 defeats at the hands of Bonny Eagle and Massabesic, games in which they were outshot by a combined 32-11, and not relying on Smith too much will be a crucial if they hope to make it into the playoffs in a deep Western Maine Class A.

Boys Cross Country

Aug.30 @ SMAA Relays 4 p.m.

Sept. 7 Home 4 p.m.

Sept. 12 Home 4 p.m.

Sept. 14 @ South Portland 4 p.m.

Sept 21 @ Marshwood 4 p.m.

Sept. 25 @ Massabesic 4 p.m.

Oct. 4 @ Noble 4 p.m.

Oct. 20 @ Cheverus 10 a.m.

Girls Cross Country

Aug. 30 @ SMAA Relays 4 p.m.

Sept. 7 Home 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 14 @ South Portland 4:30 p.m.

Sept 21 @ Marshwood 4 p.m.

Sept. 28 @ Massabesic 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 4 @ Noble 4 p.m.

Oct. 12 Home 4 p.m.

Coach: Jason Tanguay

Key runners: Connor Dunn (Sr.), Alex Thuotte (Sr.), Jeremy Collett (Jr.), Thomas Bradshaw (Jr.), Ben Foster (Jr.), Mitch Rossignol (So.), Jesse Southard (Fr.)

Key meet: Home meet against Scarborough, Westbrook, Bonny Eagle and Windham on Oct. 12.

Season outlook: The Rams will have one of the largest boys rosters they’ve had for a few years with more than 20 boys and counting. At least half of the team this year will be freshmen with only three seniors returning. Although they’ll be one of the younger teams in Class A, Tanguay does have some experienced returners led by Dunn and Turotte, and the coach is expecting his squad team to be competitive within the conference schedule with the long-term goal being to qualifying for the state meet.

Volleyball

Aug. 31 Falmouth 6 p.m.

Sept. 4 @ Cape Elizabeth 6 p.m.

Sept. 6 Windham 6 p.m.

Sept. 12 @ Yarmouth 6 p.m.

Sept. 14 Kennebunk 6 p.m.

Sept. 19 Scarborough 6 p.m.

Sept. 22 Lake Region 1:30 p.m.

Sept. 24 @ Cheverus 6 p.m.

Sept. 29 @ Greely 12:45 p.m.

Oct. 1 @ Windham 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 3 Cape Elizabeth 6 p.m.

Oct. 5 Biddeford 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 10 @ Cony 6 p.m.

Oct. 12 @ Scarborough 6 p.m.

Coach: Lisa Curley

Last year’s record: 8-8, lost in playoff semifinals

Key players: Kaitlyn Seehusen (Sr.-setter), Lindsay Chapman (Sr.-hitter), Lexi Merrifield (Sr.-hitter), Samantha Robinson (Jr.-libero).

Key games: Sept. 19 at Scarborough, Sept. 29 at Greely, Oct. 5 vs. Biddeford,

Season outlook: The Rams made a run in the playoffs last year after going 8-8 in the regular season, upsetting second-seeded Mount Desert Island before falling to state runners-up Scarborough in the semifinals. This year’s squad returns plenty of talent from that roster and Curley said it should be the deepest team Gorham has ever had. Hitters Chapman and Merrifield along with setter Seehusen return to head what should be a dangerous attack up front, while Robinson will be asked to lead the defense. Curley said chemistry and net play would her team’s major strengths, while improving serve return and developing a go-to player up front that could be relied on in the big points would be a priority as the season progresses. Defending champions Greely, along with perennial powers Biddeford and up and comers Scarborough, will go into the season as favorites, but Gorham can’t be overlooked and has the talent to take it a step farther this fall and challenge for its first state title.

Golf

Aug. 30 Thornton Academy 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 4 Westbrook 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 10 Windham 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 12 Greely 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 17 @ Thornton Academy 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 21 Bonny Eagle 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 25 @ Windham 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 6 State Team Champ. TBA

Matt McKenney, pictured last year against Sanford, will anchor a speedy roster for the Gorham Rams.    
Gorham’s Erin Smith, right, is part of a core of talented seniors on the Ram squad.
Jaime Hansen of Gorham, right, is one of the key returning players for the Rams.