The fall sports season begins next week and there will be no shortage of exciting matchups from start to finish.

On the gridiron, while Deering and Portland don’t meet in the regular season this autumn, both teams will have their share of challenging games.

The Rams host defending Class A champion Thornton Academy Sept. 18, go to Bonny Eagle Sept. 25 and host Bonny Eagle Oct. 2. Deering closes the regular season with its new rivalry game, at Scarborough, Oct. 23.

Portland begins its title quest at Scarborough Sept. 4. The Bulldogs have a chance to avenge last year’s playoff loss when they host Windham Sept. 18. Portland has a home showdown versus Cheverus Oct. 2, makes the long trip to Bangor for a rematch of last year’s overtime thriller, Oct. 16, and closes at home against South Portland in the “Battle of the Bridge” Oct. 23.

Cheverus will get an early test at Thornton Academy Sept. 12, in a rematch of last year’s double overtime epic. The Stags go to Bangor Oct. 9, host Scarborough Oct. 17 and close the regular season with a game that figures to have major playoff implications, Oct. 23 at Windham.

On the pitch, Cheverus’ defending Class A boys’ state champion opens at rival Portland Sept. 4 in a playoff rematch. The Stags have a postseason rematch at Scarborough Sept. 29, welcome other playoff foe, South Portland, Oct. 8 and close the regular season at Oct. 15 against Deering.

Deering made it to the semifinals a year ago. The Rams have the daunting task of beginning their season with a home game versus Scarborough on Labor Day, Sept. 7. South Portland pays a visit two days later. Deering closes with a daunting three-game stretch: at Thornton Academy in a playoff rematch Oct. 13, at Cheverus Oct. 15 and at Portland Oct. 20.

The Bulldogs are home with South Portland Sept. 29 and go to Scarborough two days later.

Waynflete’s first test looms Sept. 15 when it pays a visit to perennial powerhouse Falmouth. After playing at rival North Yarmouth Academy Sept. 21, the Flyers host defending Class B champion Yarmouth four days later. Waynflete hosts NYA Oct. 10 and closes at home against Freeport Oct. 20.

Waynflete’s girls are home against Falmouth Sept. 15, welcome Kennebunk Oct. 2, have a playoff rematch at home against Sacopee Valley Oct. 14 and close at Freeport Oct. 20.

Portland hopes to build on last year’s stirring playoff run and opens at Cheverus Sept. 4. The Bulldogs host two-time defending Class A champion Windham in a postseason rematch Sept. 11, play at Thornton Academy five days later, host Scarborough Oct. 2 and close at home against Deering Oct. 20 in a rematch of last year’s epic preliminary round contest which went to penalty kicks before Portland prevailed.

Deering is at Scarborough in its opener, Sept. 5. The Rams also play host to McAuley Sept. 12, visit Windham Sept. 30, host Thornton Academy Oct. 13 and welcome Cheverus Oct. 15.

Cheverus is at Windham Sept. 23, plays at Thornton Academy two days later and hosts Scarborough Sept. 30. The Stags host McAuley in the regular season finale, Oct. 20. 

McAuley welcomes Scarborough Sept. 23 and Windham Oct. 3 and plays at Thornton Academy Oct. 16.

The McAuley/Waynflete field hockey co-op team, the CMW Flying Lions, begin their new era Sept. 8 against Sacopee Valley in a game played at Waynflete. NYA visits two days later. The first home game played at McAuley is Sept. 12 versus Gray-New Gloucester. McAuley/Waynflete is at NYA Sept. 28 and visits Greely Oct. 2.

Cheverus, a perennial Western A contender, opens its season against visiting Westbrook Sept. 2. The Stags welcome South Portland Sept. 8, visit Thornton Academy two days later, go to defending Class A champion Scarborough Sept. 16, travel to Portland for a playoff rematch Sept. 22, host Marshwood in a playoff rematch two days later, play host to Deering Sept. 30 and visit Gorham in another playoff rematch Oct. 2. 

Deering is home with Thornton Academy in its opener Sept. 2. The Rams have a tough seven-day stretch when they host Scarborough Sept. 8, visit South Portland two days later and play host to Portland Sept. 14. Gorham pays a visit Sept. 24. Biddeford comes to town Oct. 3 for a playoff rematch. Deering is at Marshwood four days later. 

Portland begins the season at Noble Sept. 2. The Bulldogs go to Marshwood Sept. 8, host Gorham Sept. 16, visit Thornton Academy Sept. 30, play at Scarborough two days later and host South Portland Oct. 9.

There are now three varsity volleyball programs in the city with the addition of Deering and Portland this fall.

The teams meet in the season opener, as the Rams host the Bulldogs. Portland hosts Deering Oct. 6. The Rams go to Cheverus Sept. 24 and host the Stags Oct. 3.

Portland meets Cheverus just once, Oct. 13 at Portland.

The Stags host defending Class B champion Yarmouth Sept. 15 and go to Greely three days later.

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @foresports.