Michael’s Top Five Fall Sports Stories:

5) Cross country excellence continues

The Scarborough boys’ team won another Class A title, Red Storm standout Nick Morris was an individual state champion and Cape Elizabeth’s powerhouse girls dominated all season before finishing runner-up at the state meet. Cape Elizabeth’s boys, Scarborough’s girls and both South Portland teams qualified for the state meet and countless individuals impressed from start to finish.

4) South Portland boys’ soccer enjoys best season in ages

The South Portland boys’ soccer team had its best campaign in a generation this fall. The Red Riots posted 10 regular season wins and were competitive throughout as Bryan Hoy earned league Coach of the Year honors. They got contributions from the whole lineup and were very enjoyable to watch. Even though the season ended with a disappointing playoff loss at Gorham, the year has to be considered an unqualified success and with several key returners coming back in 2011, South Portland should be right back in the hunt.

3) South Portland field hockey returns to prominence

South Portland’s field hockey team couldn’t even win a game in 2007 and 2008 and when this year’s squad began 0-4, playoff hopes were discoutned by all but those on the team. A shocking victory at Cheverus helped turn things around and the Red Riots later upset defending state champion Scarborough, propelling themselves into the postseason mix. South Portland went on to post its first winning record since 2003 and made the playoffs for the first time since 2006. Even though the Red Riots lost to Thornton Academy in the quarterfinals, they re-established the program as a force to be reckoned with and suggested that even great accomplishments are around the corner.

2) Scarborough football wakes up the echoes

After winning the 2002 Class B football state title, Scarborough moved up to Class A and struggled for several years. After a 1-7 campaign last season, the Red Storm hired Lance Johnson as coach and he paid immediate dividends. Scarborough reversed last year’s mark, made the Class A playoffs for the first time, then drubbed perennial contender Biddeford in the quarterfinals. The Red Storm gave top-ranked Cheverus fits in the semifinals before bowing out at 8-2, but their tenacity, skill and passion impressed the high school football world. Scarborough has returned to contender’s status and the program is now primed for even more greatness in the years to come.

1) Scarborough girls’ soccer proves unstoppable

After three years of first round playoff disappointments, the 2010 Scarborough girls’ soccer team knew it would be very good, but also that it would be measured on how it did in the playoffs. In the end, the Red Storm answered all the doubters with a season for the ages. Not only did Scarborough go 14-0 in the regular season, but it did so without surrendering a single goal, a seemingly mindboggling feat. This time around, the postseason was kind as Scarborough avenged past heartaches with a win over Cape Elizabeth, survived Cheverus (which produced the only opponents’ goal of the season, albeit on a penalty kick), then ousted defending regional champion Thornton Academy to win the Western A crown. The state game wasn’t even close as the Red Storm took command early and went on to, naturally, another shutout victory, 3-0. For the first time, Scarborough won a Class A title and you can safely say the Red Storm were simply perfect.

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net

Sidebar Elements

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Fall 2010 State Champions

Scarborough girls’ soccer, Class A
Scarborough boys’ cross country, Class A

Fall 2010 Regional Champion

Cape Elizabeth girls’ cross country, Western B

Fall 2010 Individual state champion

Cross country

Nick Morris, Scarborough, Class A

The Scarborough girls’ soccer team had plenty to get excited about in 2010. The Red Storm went undefeated and won the Class A championship for the first time.

Alex Diaz and the Cape Elizabeth boys’ soccer team soared for much of the 2010 campaign and reached the Western A semifinals.

Becca Roberts and her South Portland field hockey teammates enjoyed a season to remember in 2010.