The Freeport High School fall sports season is set to begin this week, with each team looking to take a step forward.

Elayna Girardin’s Falcon girls soccer team finished strong last year and hopes to build off of that with a solid returning group, while Peter Tilton returns to coach the golf team, with a good mix of boys and girls.

Football

Coach — Rob Grover.

Last season — After a 4-4 season garnered the Falcons the No. 6 seed in Western C, Freeport lost to Spruce Mountain, 42-13, in quarterfinals.

Players lost — Adam Brobst, Cam Buthley, Ben MacMillan, Joe Nixon, Darnell Strother, Eric Wentworth.

Players returning — Seniors Peter LaMagna (QB/LB), Tyler Julian (WR/LB), Jacob Farmer (G/LB), Nathaniel Cyr (TE/CB); juniors Bryan Lee (RB/LB), Ed Lefebre (C/DT), Jeffrey Goldrup (T/DT), Eli Fox (WR/CB), Colin Richards (T/DT), Brady LaFrance (RB/S), Justin Levesque (C/LB).

Key newcomers — Sophomores Max Doughty (RB/S), Sean Purdy (G/NG); freshmen Josh Burke (QB/LB), Garrison Thompson (G/DT).

Team overview — “This is the most talented team I have coached,” said Grover. “The offense is very good and we have a good balance. Our one weakness is depth, with just 18 players in the program. We have lost eight kids to Cheverus over the last couple years, so that hurts. We expect to be better than last year.”

Season opener — Friday at Spruce Mountain, 7 p.m.

Key contests — Sept. 13 home opener against Gray-New Gloucester; Sept. 19 at Poland; Oct. 18 home versus Mountain Valley; Oct. 25 home against Yarmouth.

Boys soccer

Coach — Joe Heathco.

Last season — Strong midseason push gave Falcons a 4-8-2 regular season mark. As the No. 9 seed in Western B, lost to Fryeburg Academy, 1-0, in a preliminary.

Players lost — Harry Stivers, Nick Nelsonwood, Ethan Roney, Michael Harrison, Braden Marstaller, Chandler Birmingham.

Players returning — Seniors Caleb Abbott (MF), Shawn Anthony (MF), Blake Enrico (D), Parker Masison (D), Brendan Qualls (GK), Nick Wilson (F), Callum Gould (MF); juniors Nate Smail (MF), Jack Davenport (MF/F).

Key newcomers — Senior Asher Strickland (MF); juniors Quinton Libsack (MF), Caleb Rice (MF), Kyle Rosado (D); sophomores Josh Spaulding (MF), Jay Pier (MF), Josiah Otis (MF/D).

Team overview — “This is a nice group of seniors who played a ton last year, and I am counting on that experience and talent to compete,” said Heathco. “We won’t blow anybody out. But, we can play with anybody.

“Our schedule is a little bit frontloaded with some talented teams, so the key for us is to develop during the preseason. We have a plan and have set several goals.”

Season opener — Friday home against Cape Elizabeth, 3:30 p.m.

Key contests — Sept. 13 at Wells; Sept. 23 home versus Fryeburg Academy; Oct. 3 home against North Yarmouth Academy; Oct. 8 at Poland; Oct. 14 at Falmouth.

Girls soccer

Coach — Elayna Girardin.

Last season — Won seven of final 10 games in regular season to finish 9-5 and grab the No. 5 spot in Western B. Defeated Yarmouth in the quarterfinals before falling to Cape Elizabeth, 3-1, in semifinals.

Players lost — Brooke Heathco, Livvy Dimick, Lexi Dietrich, Ashley Richardson, Emily Morang, Julie Fosburg, Molly Lane, Kelsey Grant.

Players returning — Seniors Emily Johnson (D), Lauren Cormier (D), Julia Smith (MF), Alyssa Richardson (MF), Lizzy Martin (MF), Kaitlin Johnson (D), Hannah Morissey (D); juniors Courtney Broderick (A), Sam Jordan (D), Izzy Qualls (GK), Jemayla Nelsonwood (MF).

Key newcomers — Seniors Alayna Frey (D), Jill Baker (A); juniors Brooklyn Washburn (D), Lindsay Cartmell (MF); sophomore Jessie Gray (D); freshman Becca Cameron (MF).

Team overview — “So far this team has come in with more determination, fitter, and more focused and ready,” said Girardin. “Mentally, they are in it right off the bat. Team just needs to find that voice after losing two four-year starters and leaders. If they do that, we will have a strong showing this year.”

Season opener — Friday at Cape Elizabeth, 7 p.m.

Key contests — Sept. 16 home versus Yarmouth (home opener); Sept. 27 at Greely; Oct. 7 home against Wells; Oct. 14 home versus Falmouth; Oct. 20 at Waynflete.

Field hockey

Coach — Marcia Wood.

Last season — After 5-9 regular season, defeated Greely, 1-0, in Western B prelim. Lost to York, 4-0, in quarterfinals.

Players lost — Megan Peacock, Olivia Bubar, Emily Sturtevant.

Players returning — Seniors Abby Smith (MF, Capt.), Hannah Williams (F, Capt.), Dani Foster (F), Taylor Schenker (F), Chloe Whittaker (D); juniors Lexi Peacock (MF/D), Morgan Karnes (GK); sophomore Bailey Coffin (F).

Key newcomers — Juniors Bailey Karnes (D), Kendra Harrison (UT); freshman Chloe Davidson (MF).

Team overview — “I am excited about this group. They have been very self-sufficient, working in the offseason, with the seniors organizing winter play,” said Wood. “We are small in numbers, but they are talented athletes. Last year, we had a lot of one-goal games that we were on the losing end of, so our goal is to get those games in our favor.”

Season opener — Today at York, 4 p.m.

Key contests — Friday home opener against Kennebunk; Sept. 11 at Gray- New Gloucester; Sept. 15 home versus Poland; Sept. 23 at Lake Region; Oct. 15 home against Yarmouth.

Golf

Coach — Peter Tilton, returns after coaching Falcons for six years.

Last season — Went 0-10 in final year hosting home events at Toddy Brook Golf Course.

Players lost — Coach Jay Lemont.

Players returning — Seniors Wynne Cushing (No. 1), Alexis Erlandson, Molly Kennedy; junior Jeramiah Theberge-Frick.

Key newcomers — Seniors RJ Niles, Zach Merrill; freshman Scott Donahue.

Team overview — The Freeport golf team will play its home matches at Freeport Country Club after hosting at Toddy Brook in Yarmouth in years past.

“This is a group of good kids who will try hard,” said Tilton. “It is tough when you face a team like Cape Elizabeth, with six kids who break 40. But, my team will do the best that they can.”

Season opener — Sept. 9 in home opener at 3:30 p.m. versus Cape Elizabeth.

Key contests — Sept. 17 home against North Yarmouth Academy; Sept. 24 at Cape Elizabeth; Sept. 26 home against Yarmouth; Oct. 1 at York.

Cross country

Coach — Brian Berkemeyer.

Last season — Girls finished second in Western Maine Conference Division One, while boys took fifth.

Runners lost — Elly Bengtsson, Nina Davenport, Emma Egan, Emily Jennings, Bethanie Knighton, Lily LaMarre, Hayley Steckler, Gabby Tilton, Mark Donahue, Austin Williams.

Runners returning — Seniors Tyler Frey, Matt Francis; juniors Chandler Vincent (10th at State Class B meet), Eric Brobst, Liam Gallagher, Chloe Hight, Hannah Schnyder, Ella Russell, Lucy Zachau; sophomore Henry Jacques.

Key newcomers — According to Berkemeyer, there are several runners who will battle for the top seven spots come meet time.

Team overview — “We could possibly put it together this year to improve on our fourth-place finish from last year,” said Berkemeyer of the Freeport boys. “It is nice having a front runner in Vincent, but the rest of the pack will have to pick up the pace if they want to contend.

“We lost nine senior girls and no junior girls on last year’s squad. This year’s juniors have proven themselves, and with a few key additions we look to be back in the mix at the state meet.”

Season opener — Friday at North Yarmouth Academy, 4:30 p.m.

Key contests — Sept. 19 home meet at Pownal Road Recreation Field; Sept. 27 at Greely; Oct. 10 home meet, Oct. 17 at WMC Championships.