Mt. Ararat’s Shea Farrell  runs away from the Maranacook defense on his way to a touchdown last season. Shea gained 1,000 yards and scored 25 touchdowns. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

When the eight-man football Large School title game is played on Nov. 12 at Augusta’s Cony High, a new state champion will be crowned. Cheverus, which dominated the field on the way to the title last season, has moved back to 11-man football. A handful of teams will look to fill the void at the top of the division.

Mt. Ararat, the state champion during the inaugural season of eight-man football in 2019, could be at the top of the list. The runner-up in the South division last year, the Eagles return one of the top running backs in the league in senior Shea Farrell, who gained 1,000 yards and scored 25 touchdowns last season. Farrell also led the team in tackles as a linebacker. Mack Wilkins will quarterback the Eagles and join Farrell at linebacker. Senior Eric Allen is a leader on the offensive and defensive lines, and sophomore Kurt Coen could contribute at linebacker and tight end.

“Our running attack is going to be pretty good. Of course, bringing back Shea is a big part of that,” said Mt. Ararat Coach Frank True.

After playing as a co-op team with Falmouth since 2019, Greely will field its own team and slide into the Large School South division. Roughly 30 players are out for the team, coached by Greely alum Caleb King. Expect a number of players to contribute, King said.

“If you catch a game, you’ll notice it’ll look a lot like hockey line changes out there,” King said.

In sophomore quarterback Brock Gibbons, Lake Region has one of the most athletic players in the division, and Coach Mike Meehan said Gibbons has already drawn attention from NCAA Division I college baseball coaches. Seniors Colby Chadwick, Ryan Stoker and Aundrew Edwards are among the other offensive weapons for the Lakers.

Yarmouth has a small roster, with just 22 players, said Coach Jim Hartman, but the Clippers have talent. Senior Spencer LaBrecque is a four-year starter and can be used in a number of ways. Juniors Michael McGonagle and Rufus MacVane, along with senior Kai Sullivan, also will be scoring threats.

Gray-New Gloucester Coach Brian Jahna thinks his team can be competitive in a balanced league. Senior quarterback Mikey Ryan is a leader who knows the offense inside-out, Jahna said. Running backs Miles Post, Brady Castrucci and Kobi Conant provide backfield depth, and tight end Nick Geer figures in the passing game.

LARGE SCHOOL NORTH

Waterville won the North division last season, but perhaps no team has a bigger hole to fill than the Purple Panthers at quarterback, where Fitzpatrick Trophy semifinalist Liam Von Oesen graduated. Still, Waterville returns experienced players across the field.

Senior Tyson Smith will slide into the quarterback role and could also see time at running back, as well as at linebacker and nose guard. Senior Spencer Minihan is a returning all-conference player at receiver. Senior guard/defensive end Cobe LeClair and senior tight end/linebacker Gage Hubbard also return, along with junior running back Dawson Harrison. The Panthers play a tough schedule, with crossover games against South teams Mt. Ararat, Spruce Mountain and Greely.

“We certainly anticipate each of those matchups to be tough.  We must be ready each and every week,” said Waterville Coach Isaac LeBlanc.

After finishing runner-up in the North to Waterville last season, Morse looks to contend with strength on the line. The Shipbuilders return all-conference linemen Bradley Creamer and Braylon Williams, both juniors. Junior Tyson Pinkham ran for eight touchdowns last season.

“Our team blocks hard for one another and I believe we are aggressive on both sides of the ball,” said Morse Coach Jason Darling.

Camden Hills has 39 players, but with just five seniors, the team is still quite young. Seniors Louis Mainella (RB/LB), Aaron Heald (OL/DL) and Will Haslam (QB) lead the Windjammers.

SMALL SCHOOL NORTH

Coming off its first state title since 1987, Dexter has a new head coach in Andrew Levensalor, a former assistant coach with the Tigers. Dexter lost a lot of talent to graduation, but quarterback Bryce Connor, who threw the last-play touchdown pass to beat Maranacook in the state championship, returns. Gage Beaudry, a transfer from Foxcroft Academy, will see carries at running back, and Blaine Gould is a receiving threat.

“We’re versatile. We have guys who make you miss,” Levensalor said.

Mattanawcook Academy returns the top offensive player in the Little Ten Conference, quarterback/running back Isaac Hainer, who ran for 2,500 yards and 35 touchdowns last season. All-conference tackle Solomon Susen returns to anchor the line, along with Erick Fitch. James Dube is a strong tight end. The Lynx ended last season with 13 players, but they had 30 in preseason camp this year.

“We have the perfect number of kids for eight-man,” Coach Brad Bishop said. “We have a chance to be pretty good.”

Stearns returns talent on offense, with Aiden Sanders (392 yards receiving, 330 rushing, 12 TDs last season) and quarterback Caleb Shearer (804 yards passing with eight TDs). On defense, the Minutemen are led by end Brady McAvoy.

Two new teams join the division: Bucksport, a longtime power in 11-man football, and St. John Valley, a new co-op with players from Fort Kent, Madawaska and Wisdom.

SMALL SCHOOL SOUTH

Maranacook was seconds from a state title last season. After graduation losses, the Black Bears will look a little different this year.

“In all my years I’ve been here, I’ve had those big guys we run behind on the offensive line who spearhead the offense. I don’t have that anymore,” Maranacook Coach Jordan DeMillo said.

What DeMillo does have is running back Owen Dunn, a strong runner who can go between the tackles for tough yards or bust off a long gain at any time. Newcomer Kody Goucher takes over at quarterback. Inside linebacker Dylan Pottle is the defensive leader.

Old Orchard Beach was young last season, starting freshmen Brady Plante and Riley Provencher at quarterback and wideout, respectively. They’re a year older and more experienced, and are joined by veterans like linebacker/fullback Reid MacNair, who is a defensive leader and run stopper, center/defensive end Derrick Webster, and running back/corner Elijah Vasquez.

“We have very good depth at all offensive skill positions,” said Old Orchard Beach Coach Dean Plante.

Dirigo returns six starters on offense and six on defense from a team that reached the regional final. Quarterback Charlie Houghton and receivers Trenton Hutchinson and Trent Holman all return, giving the Cougars experienced weapons. Bodie Gray is back at running back and will have an impact on defense, where he averaged 20 tackles per game as a linebacker.

Patrick Mooney is back as head coach at Mountain Valley after three years as an assistant at Mt. Blue. The Falcons should have one of the top ground games in Small School South, with Robert Leveillee and Kaden Paaso both back after combining for 1,400 yards last season.

Telstar went undefeated in the regular season last year before injuries and a COVID-19 outbreak weakened the team just as the playoffs began. Senior quarterback Will Doyle is back, and guard/defensive lineman Cruz Kimball and center/linebacker Jacob Hooper will also be key players.

Numbers are low at Traip Academy, with just 17 players, but Coach Eric Lane says he has some veterans who can provide leadership. Quarterback Zach Foye is a four-year starter with poise who has immersed himself in the playbook. Center Aiden Wiggin anchors the offensive line, while defensive lineman Sam Matthews is a strong pass rusher.