Cross Country

Coach: Adam Zukowski, Nathan Priest

Last year’s record: Boys – Third at Regionals, fifth at States; Girls – 12th at Regionals

Key athletes: Ben Garcia, Lucas Nickerson, Austin Cross, Cullen Ronan, Makala Mclean, Sophia Kiyanitsa, Keaton McEvoy, Kylie Trawick

Key meets: Regionals

Outlook: On the boys’ side, the Patriots get back four of last year’s top seven; centered around this strong core, the team looks to build on last year’s success – one of the strongest season finishes in school history. Garcia is likely to be GNG’s No. 1 runner, taking over for “the great Will Shafer, who’ll be running at Dartmouth this fall,” says Zukowski. On the girls’ side, “a good mix of veterans and newcomers will look to make a statement in the always-tough Western Maine Conference as the season progresses.”

Field Hockey

Coach: Corenna Dick

Last year’s record: 0-13

Key players: Sara Carter (F), Alicia Dumont (M), Jenny Holmquist (B), Skye Conley (M)

Key games: Poland, Cape Elizabeth

Outlook: For the past couple seasons, the Patriots have been looking to get back to basics, to improve their understanding of the game. 2014 presents an opportunity for them to show off what they’ve learned. “This year we aim to go above and beyond, and demonstrate a new level of competition,” Dick says.

Football

Coach: Mark Renna (first year)

Last year’s record: 0-8

Key players: Adam Dumas (sr., RB/LB); Carson Hodsdon (sr., QB/DB); Tristan Herod (jr., WR/DB); Zack Haskell (jr., WR/DB); Jacob Baggs (jr., RB/LB); Austin Chase (jr., TE/LB); Jacob Zeisler (jr., RB/DB); Brandon Ruminiski (jr., LB)

Key games: Yarmouth

Outlook: New coach Renna is shaking the Patriots up, implementing fresh offensive and defensive strategies both. His seniors are few in number, but strong leaders, while his juniors are both numerous and talented. “The Patriots will go only as far as their line takes them,” he says. That line “is anchored by two seniors, Nate Hennemann and Will Kenney.”

Golf

Coach: Neil Carroll (first year)

Last year’s record: 5-5

Key players: Hunter Locke (jr.), RJ Chamberland (jr.), Lauren Jordan (jr.), Stephan Southard (jr.), Tyler Ross (so.), Cooper Chamberland (fr.), Garrett Haskins

Outlook: The Patriots are young this year, overall, but anchored by a core of juniors. This season, according to Carroll, will be a building year; he’s confident, however, in his squad’s strong foundation and his newcomers’ abilities to contribute from the get-go.

Boys Soccer

Coach: Andy Higgins (fourth season)

Last year’s record: 6-8-2, fell to Greely in quarterfinals

Key players: Jesse Ricardi (sr.), Tyler St. Pierre (sr.), Eric Wilcox (sr.), Thomas Cogswell (sr.), Alex Cobb (jr.), Bryce Hayman (so.)

Key games: Freeport, Poland, Fryeburg, Waynflete, NYA

Outlook: The Patriots posted a respectable 2013, and look to improve on their record in 2014. Higgins calls their lineup a “solid mix of returners and newcomers,” and says they have the potential to “take the program to the next level.” They’ll need, however, to remain healthy and continually improve – not becoming complacent.

Girls Soccer

Coach: Kiaran McCormack (head, third year); Mike Foley (asst., first year)

Last year’s record: 7-7-0

Key players: Zoe Adam, Maria Valenta, Ashley Moreau, Caitlin Holmquist, Michaela MacDonald, Emily Hotham, Anisa Hayman, Karla Shufelt, Kiersten Stritch

Key games: Poland, Freeport, Wells

Outlook: The Patriots missed the postseason last year, despite finishing at .500 – an indication of the competitiveness of their conference. Their returners are strong, though, and have playoff experience, so McCormack’s sights are firmly fixed on a playoff berth.

SCHEDULES

Cross Country

Sept. 5 @ Falmouth (Greely) 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 12 @ Yarmouth (Fryeburg, York) 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 20 @ Fryeburg (NYA, Traip, Wells) 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 26 Kennebunk, Lake Region, Merriconeag 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 4 Belfast Invitational TBA

Oct. 10 @ Cape Elizabeth (Merriconeag, Poland) 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 17 WMCs 3 p.m.

Oct. 25 Regionals TBA

Nov. 1 States TBA

Field Hockey

Sept. 3 @ Cape Elizabeth 6 p.m.

Sept. 5 Fryeburg 4 p.m.

Sept. 9 York 4 p.m.

Sept. 11 Freeport 4 p.m.

Sept. 15 @ Kennebunk 4 p.m.

Sept. 17 @ Greely 4 p.m.

Sept. 20 @ Poland 11 a.m.

Sept. 23 Old Orchard Beach 4 p.m.

Sept. 27 @ Fryeburg 1 p.m.

Sept. 29 @ Freeport 4 p.m.

Oct. 1 Poland 4 p.m.

Oct. 3 Kennebunk 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 9 @ Lake Region 4 p.m.

Oct. 15 Falmouth 3:30 p.m.

Football

Sept. 5 Yarmouth 7 p.m.

Sept. 13 @ Freeport 1 p.m.

Sept. 19 Leavitt 7 p.m.

Sept. 26 @ Lake Region 7 p.m.

Oct. 3 Mountain Valley 7 p.m.

Oct. 10 Spruce Mountain 7 p.m.

Oct. 17 @ Cape Elizabeth 7 p.m.

Oct. 24 @ Poland 7 p.m.

Golf

Sept. 2 @ Fryeburg 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 4 Poland 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 9 Yarmouth 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 11 @ Sacopee Valley 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 16 Cape Elizabeth 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 17 Fryeburg 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 18 @ Old Orchard Beach 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 23 @ Poland 3:30 p.m.

Sep. 25 Sacopee Valley 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 2 @ Yarmouth 3:30 p.m.

Boys Soccer

Sept. 5 @ Falmouth 7 p.m.

Sept. 11 Lake Region 6 p.m.

Sept. 16 Greely 6 p.m.

Sept. 18 Freeport 6 p.m.

Sept. 23 @ Wells 6 p.m.

Sept. 25 @ York 6 p.m.

Sept. 30 @ Fryeburg 5 p.m.

Oct. 2 @ Poland 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 4 Wells 1 p.m.

Oct. 6 @ Waynflete 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 14 Yarmouth 6 p.m.

Oct. 16 @ NYA 4 p.m.

Oct. 18 Waynflete 4 p.m.

Oct. 21 Sacopee Valley 6 p.m.

Girls Soccer

Sept. 6 Falmouth 1 p.m.

Sept. 9 NYA 4:15 p.m.

Sept. 12 @ Lake Region 6 p.m.

Sept. 16 @ Greely 6 p.m.

Sept. 18 @ Freeport 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 25 York 6 p.m.

Sept. 27 @ Wells 11 a.m.

Sept. 30 @ Fryeburg 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 2 Poland 6 p.m.

Oct. 4 Old Orchard Beach 1 p.m.

Oct. 6 Waynflete 4 p.m.

Oct. 14 @ Yarmouth 6 p.m.

Oct. 16 Wells 6 p.m.

Oct. 21 @ Sacopee Valley 6 p.m.