FREEPORT

FOOTBALL

Coach — Rob Grover.

2011 highlights — 5-3, lost 30- 6 to Maranacook in Western Maine Class C quarterfinals.

Grover and his staff have been working with about 30 players. The Falcons had a scrimmage Monday against Maranacook and were scheduled to visit Lake Region Saturday night.

Things have been going well and Grover likes his upperclassmen, but he faces the daunting task of replacing all but one starter on the offensive line … and a REALLY tough schedule.

“I think we have the best leadership since I’ve been here,” said Grover. “This group of kids know what it’s all about and what is takes.”

“Defensively, we should be very strong,” added Grover. “We are quick and very aggressive with a lot of returning starters (eight).

Among the seniors, look for four-year starter Dan Burke (FB/LB), fellow four-year guy James Purdy (QB/LB), Jared Polley (TB/LB) and Andy Burke (OT), while key juniors are Darnell Struthers (G/DE), Joe Nixon (WB/CB), Ben MacMillan (G/LB) and Cam Buthley (TE/S).

Sophomore Jack Perry (LB/WR) should see some time on the field, along with freshman Jack Perry (LB/WR),

“Offensively, I think our backfield is very quick, but we’ve got to replace all of our linemen except for Struthers,” said Grover “But, I think if they can keep improving each week, we’ll be all right.

“It’s tough schedule. We open up with Boothbay, they’re always tough and we also have Traip and Lisbon back-to-back on the road. And, we end up at home with Winthrop and Yarmouth.

“Against Maranacook our defense was outstanding, but our offense struggled.”

Season opener — Aug. 31 (At Boothbay, 7 p.m.).

Key dates — Sept. 22 (At Lisbon, 1:30 p.m.), Sept. 29 (H, Old Orchard Beach, 1:30 p.m.), Oct. 20 (H, Yarmouth, 1:30 p.m.).

BOYS SOCCER

Coach — Joe Heathco.

2011 highlights — Finished 6-7-1 in regular season. Beat Gray-New Gloucester 2-0 in Western Maine B prelims, lost to York 11-0 in Western B quarterfinals.

“I am thrilled and enjoying this group of kids,” said Heathco, whose squad opens at home on Friday against Traip Academy at 11 a.m. “They have good heads on their shoulders and work extremely hard.”

Seniors Connor Dietrich (Attack/Goaltender), Landon Easler (Midfield) and Parker Mathison (MF/A, WMC All- Conference last year) return, joined by senior newcomers Cole Harrison (Defense), Gage Golding (D), Sam Farrar (D) and Tucker Troast (M).

Heathco returns three juniors — Harry Stivers (D), Ethan Roney (M) and Nick Nelsonwood (D).

The sophomores, Callum Gould (M), Caleb Abbott (M), Ryder Bennell (M), Brendan Qualls (starting GK), Shawn Anthony (M) and Zach Merrill (M), are newcomers, along with freshmen Nate Smail (D), Addison Vosmus (A) and Jack Davenport (D).

“We’re young and small, which could be a problem against big, physical teams that can beat you down, but when we play together we can do well,” said Heathco, whose squad opens on Friday at home against Traip Academy (11 a.m.). “As long as we stick with our plan, have good ball movement and not play kick and chase like we did last year, I like our chances.

“As always, York, Yarmouth and Falmouth are loaded, along with Gray-New Gloucester. Plus, you never know about Fryeburg Academy and the other prep schools like Waynflete and North Yarmouth Academy. It is a tough schedule.”

Season opener — Aug. 31 (H, Traip Academy, 11 a.m.).

Key dates — Sept. 15 (At Waynflete, 3:30 p.m.), Sept. 18 (H, Falmouth, 3:30 p.m.), Oct. 2 (At Yarmouth, 6 p.m.), Oct. 5 (At Cape Elizabeth, 7 p.m.).

GIRLS SOCCER

Coach — Elayna Girardin.

2011 highlights — Finished 7-7 in regular season. Beat Poland 3-1 in Western B prelim, lost to York 3-1 in quarterfinals

Returning seniors include Helen Humphrey (Defense), Aubrey Pennell (Attack), Jocelyn Davee (Midfield), Hannah Chase (D), Macy Stowell (A), Naomi Otis (M) and Rachelle Pallin (D).

Returning juniors are Brooke Heathco (D), Jess Perry (Goaltender), Livvy Dimmick (D), Emily Morang (M), Ashley Richardson (A), Molly Lane (M).

Returning sophomores are Emily Johnson (M/D) and Alyssa Richardson (M), while newcomers include junior Lexi Dietrich (D), and sophomores Julia Smith ((M) and Lauren Cormier (M/D). In addition, Girardin gained transfer players Necole Harrison (junior, A) and Amanda Miles (Senior, D).

“Our greatest strength is that this group of girls have been able to play as a unit for quite some time,” said Girardi. “They are all experienced and many of them are returning from last year or longer. Because of this they understand how each other plays and moves, allowing them to play together as a unit versus individual players.

“As always, the conference is very close and there are many games that on any given day either team can win. There are no easy wins and no guaranteed losses, we just have to go out there and play our best every game and work toward coming out with the win.”

Last year’s playoff should help the Falcons make another run.

“I think that because most of our players were able to experience playoffs last year in soccer, it has given us more passion and drive to make it to post season and improve on last year,” added Girardin. “Our strategy will stay the same, we will keep working on improving all aspects of our game so that by the end we are the strongest we can be.”

Season opener — Sept. 4 (At Greely, 6 p.m.).

Key dates — Sept. 8 (H, Lake Region, 12:30 p.m.), Sept. 15 (H, Waynflete, 11 a.m.), Oct. 2 (H, Yarmouth, 3:30 p.m.), Oct. 5 (H, Cape Elizabeth, 3:30 p.m.).

FIELD HOCKEY

Coach — Sara Dimick.

2011 highlights — Went 8- 6 in regular season, lost to Traip 4-1 in Western C quarterfinals.

Returning seniors include Bethany Bellefleur (Midfielder), Dayze Gaulin (Forward), Rebecca Harrion (Goaltender), Kayley Johnson (M), Korissa Lavers (Forward), Lorin Martens (Back), Tallie Martin (GK) and Reiley Parker (B).

Junior midfielder Megan Peacock returns as does classmates Sydney Ambrose (F), Emily Sturtevant (M) and Olivia Bubar (F).

In the sophomore class, look for Abby Smith (M) and Hannah Williams (F), while there are no newcomers.

“This year we have a very defensively-minded team,” said Dimick. “We have eight returning seniors and they play mostly in the midfield and the defensive positions. It is nice to have the experienced players lead the midfield and defense.

“There is some great potential in our offense as well, and the older players are stepping up to take on new leadership roles in our offense. We plan to build on our offensive techniques and strategies as a team, and we are hopeful that everything will come together.

“The team has been working very hard to prepare for the regular season, and we are looking forward to another exciting season.”

Season opener — Aug. 29 (H, North Yarmouth Academy, 4 p.m.).

Key dates — Aug. 31 (H, Waynflete, 4 p.m.), Sept. 14 (H, Gray-New Gloucester, 4 p.m.), Sept. 24 (At Waynflete, 4 p.m.), Oct. 4 (At Yarmouth, 4 p.m.).

CROSS COUNTRY

Coach — Brian Berkemeyer

2011 highlights — Girls 13th in State Class B Championships (Ciera Wentworth was 54th individually) and seventh in Western Maine Conference with Nina Davenport 16th individually; Boys sixth in State Class B (Ian McGhie 27th) and fourth in WMCs with Taylor Saucier 13th overall.

Returning seniors include Ciera Wentworth and Lia Wellen for the girls, and Vinnie Zolla, Mason Cyr, Chris West, Bennett Brainard, Abrin Berkemeyer, Victor Skoropa, Jordan Roy, Brady Davis and Shane Brady for the boys.

The juniors class has Gabby Tilton, Emily Jennings, Hayley Steckler, Nina Davenport, Ellie Bengtsson, Emma Egan, Bethany Knighton and Tess Gallagher, along with Mark Donahue, Austin Williams, AJ Daniel and Liam Wade, while sophomores are Matt Francis, Tyler Frey and Evan Tims.

Newcomers include sophomore girls Margo Ruby and Katie O’Neil, along with freshmen Lucy Zachau, Kayla Belanger and Hannah Schnyder, while new boys are senior Aaron Ramiraz, sophomore Seth Jones, and freshmen Max Greenwood, Chandler Vincent, Eric Brobst, Kyle Burtt, James Saucier and Liam Gallagher

“The girls have a very strong core of junior talent,” said Berkemeyer. “They got the last spot at regionals and have had a taste of the state meet. They now want more and are willing to work. We need to keep everybody healthy and running to their potential. If all goes well they could be a top contending team.

“Our boys have a lot of seniors. We will need a couple of front-runners to go along with the depth. If they all finish strong then they could be the team to beat.

“Our goal is to get a strong seven for both boys and girls. As always we look for the entire team to progress. Our focus is on fitness and core strength. The miles will come as well as the speed.

“We have to keep everybody healthy. Rest and easy days will be vital. Eleven meets is a lot. As always the last race is our focus. We have the talent to get to states, so that race will be the focus for the year.”

Berkemeyer really likes this group of athletes.

“We have a great group of kids,” allowed Berkemeyer. “They are hard workers and know that practice is where races are won. We will expect a lot out of them, but the rewards could be worth the effort. It should be a very exciting season. As I tell the kids, ‘You don’t know how fast you can run!’ Hopefully we will find out this fall.”

Season opener — Aug. 31 (At Poland, 4:30 p.m.).

Key dates — Sept. 14 (H, Falmouth, Fryeburg Academy and North Yarmouth Academy, 4:30 p.m.), Oct. 5 (At North Yarmouth Academy, 4 p.m.), Oct. 12 (Western Maine Conference Championships, TBA), Oct. 19 State Class B Championships at Belfast, TBA).

GOLF

Coach — Jason Lemont

2011 highlights — 4-8 regular season.

“The preseason has gone well,” said Lemont. “I have four seniors who have been with me my whole four years,. There’s a little less teaching, but I have a couple of golfers who are really green.”

Seniors to look for include Nick Cartmell, Nick Tardif, Jonathan Mervine and Clayton Morrison, while the lone junior is Spencer Drake.

Quinn Dowling and lone female Winne Cushing represent the sophomore class, while Jeremiah Frick and Cameron Balzer are freshman newcomers.

The Falcons’ schedule has been tweaked a bit. “We now have York, which makes it a little easier because it’s all highway,” said Lemont. “A lot easier than, say, going to Sacopee Valley.”

Season opener — Aug. 31 (At Wells, 3:30 p.m.).

Key dates — Sept. 6 (At North Yarmouth Academy, 3:30 p.m.), Sept. 12 (H, Waynflete, Wells, 3:30 p.m.,), Sept. 20 (H, York, 3:30 p.m.), Sept. 25 (H, Yarmouth, 3:30 p.m.).