FOOTBALL

Coach: Paul St. Pierre (first year)

2014 record: 2-6 (no postseason)

Top returners: Brandon Cass (Senior), Eli Fox (Senior), Jeffrey Goldrup (Senior), Brady Lafrance (Senior), Brian Lee (Senior), Ed Lefebvre (Senior), Colin Richard (Senior), Max Doughty (Junior), Josh Burke (Sophomore)

Pivotal games: Sept. 4 @ Poland, Sept. 12 WELLS, Sept. 26 CAPE ELIZABETH, Oct. 16 @ Lake Region, Oct. 24 YARMOUTH

Coach’s comment: “Our numbers are a little better than last year. We hope to have about 26. We’ll be running a different system. More of a pro set. More open. We’ll throw more than last year. I think we’ll be more competitive against lower strength teams and hopefully put up more of a fight against the powerhouses. Three wins should get us into the playoffs. We want a seat at the table.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Freeport welcomes a new coach this fall in St. Pierre, who played at Deering and previously served as a Falcons assistant. He takes over a small team, but one which looks to be a contender in Southern Class C this fall.

Freeport has its share of talent on offense. Fox returns at quarterback. Burke, Doughty, Lafrance and Lee will handle the football on the ground. Foss is a top receiving threat. The offensive line features Cass, Goldrup, Lefebvre and Richard along with new junior Tucker Ginn. While in years past, the Falcons’ approach was three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust, this fall, look for Freeport to go downfield and produce more big plays.

Defensively, the Falcons hope to improve after surrendering nearly 300 points in 2013. The line will be anchored by Cass and Ginn. Top linebackers include Burke, Lee and Lefebvre. The secondary includes Doughty, Foss, Fox, Lafrance and new junior Cody Vachon.

For Freeport to make the playoffs for the third time in program history, it will have to show steady improvement and take care of the teams it’s supposed to beat. Look for this team to hit its stride as the season progresses. A postseason berth wouldn’t come as a surprise.

BOYS’ SOCCER

Coach: Joe Heathco (18th year, 124-118-25 overall record)

2014 record: 4-9-1 (no postseason)

Top returners: Jack Davenport (Senior), Quinton Libsack (Senior), Kyle Rosado (Senior), Nate Smail (Senior), Addison Vosmus (Senior)

Pivotal games: Sept. 5 @ Cape Elizabeth, Sept. 10 GRAY-NG, Sept. 15 YARMOUTH, Sept. 19 @ Gray-NG, Sept. 24 @ Greely, Oct. 2 @ NYA, Oct. 13 FALMOUTH, Oct. 20 @ Waynflete

Coach’s comment: “We’ve had a good showing in our scrimmages. I’m pleased with how the boys look. We have the potential to be pretty good. We’re still in the middle group, but we have the talent to compete. We hope to get some good early results so we’re not scrambling for the playoffs. We’ve competed with the best teams, so I’m hoping we can turn the corner and be a threat.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: One-goal losses last season to Cape Elizabeth, Greely and Waynflete kept the Falcons out of the playoffs for the first time since 2010. This fall, Freeport has a nice mix of veterans and promising youth and should be able to hold its own in a stacked Southern Class B.

This year, the offense figures to be paced by Rosado and Smail and perhaps juniors Josh Spaulding and Chandler Wyman. Then there’s Davenport, last year’s leading scorer. He’ll spend a lot of time in the defensive end and might even be seen in goal, but don’t be surprised if he’s relied upon to score when needed. Libsack, Vosmus and senior Bryce Schmidt, who missed last season, will also be in the mix. Sophomore Evan McKittrick is a new defender to watch. Senior Matt Stark and junior Joe Burke were vying at press time to take over in goal.

The Falcons will have their difficulties with teams like Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth, Greely and defending Class B champion Yarmouth, but have a good shot at winning their other games. An upset or two against those aforementioned powers would certainly help earn a playoff berth. If Freeport gets in, they’ll be a team that no one wants to face.

GIRLS’ SOCCER

Coach: Elayna Girardin (seventh year, 36-49-5 overall record)

2014 record: 4-8-2 (no postseason)

Top returners: Courtney Broderick (Senior), Lindsay Cartmell (Senior), Jemalya Nelsonwood (Senior), Izzy Qualls (Senior), Maddie Squibb (Senior), Brooklyn Washburn (Senior), Jessie Gray (Junior), Becca Cameron (Sophomore)

Pivotal games: Sept. 4 CAPE ELIZABETH, Sept. 9 SACOPEE, Sept. 15 @ Yarmouth, Sept. 25 GREELY, Oct. 2 NYA, Oct. 13 @ Falmouth, Oct. 20 WAYNFLETE

Coach’s comment: “It’s a very new team. We lost a lot of three- and four-year starters. We have some large shoes to fill. We do return three of our four defenders and our goalie. Our midfielders need to get experience. We’ll compete. We have a lot of winnable games. We can’t get better unless we play strong teams. When we play teams we’re not expected to beat, we can take risks and leave it all out there. We have potential. Making the playoffs is realistic.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Some close losses to good teams prevented Freeport from reaching the postseason for the fourth year in a row, but the Falcons hope to get back there this fall. Some huge graduation losses will make that a challenge, but this group shouldn’t be overlooked.

Qualls returns for a second year as goalkeeper. She’s aided by Broderick, Gray and Washburn as strong defenders in front of her. Junior Emily Latulippe will be a factor back there as well. Squibb, a four-year starter, anchors the midfield with help from Cartmell. The scoring punch could be provided by Cameron and Nelsonwood. Freeport only mustered 21 goals a year ago, 15 of which came in the team’s four victories. More consistent offense is paramount this time around.

The Falcons will be pushed by some of the best teams in the state, but they’ll also play several squads they can beat. Freeport has what it takes to get to the postseason and to surprise someone if the Falcons make it.

FIELD HOCKEY 

Coach: Marcia Wood (third year, 13-17-1 overall record)

2014 record: 7-7-1 (Lost, 4-0, to Leavitt in Western B quarterfinals)

Top returners: Bailey Karnes (Senior), Morgan Karnes (Senior), Lexi Peacock (Senior), Bailey Coffin (Junior), Chloe Davidson (Sophomore), Callie Toothaker (Sophomore)

Pivotal games: Sept. 4 CAPE ELIZABETH, Sept. 10 KENNEBUNK, Sept. 12 @ Yarmouth, Sept. 28 @ York, Sept. 30 GREELY, Oct. 2 FALMOUTH

Coach’s comment: “I think the team is working well together so far. We have a lot of underclassmen, but they are adjusting quickly and learning and improving each practice. Our leading scorer, (Bailey Coffin), returns, so hopefully she’ll be a force on the forward line. We’re moving Chloe up more this year for more scoring opportunities. We’ve been playing around with formations to try to overload our offense. Morgan has worked very hard to learn the sport and the goalie position it’s paid off. She looks great so far, very comfortable in the cage and as a leader. We have to be more aggressive inside both defensive and offensive circles and clean up our passing. Once we do that, I think the success will just come.” 

The Forecaster’s forecast: Freeport made it six straight postseason trips a year ago, but for the sixth season in a row, the Falcons weren’t able to get past the quarterfinals. Last year’s squad struggled with consistency, following up a surge of six wins in seven games by going 0-3-1 down the stretch. Being strong from start to finish is the focus in 2015 and Freeport has reason to believe it can contend in a tough Southern Class B.

The Falcons have a strong goalie in Morgan Karnes, who’s back for a third season. She’s aided by Toothaker and new sophomore Izzy Masison on defense. Davidson, Bailey Karnes and Peacock will be effective in the midfield, stopping the opposition and helping transition to offense. The attack will be led by Coffin, who paced the team a year ago with eight goals. Freshman Alexa Koenig is showing promise as a scorer at forward.

Freeport is used to competing with the top teams in the area and this year should be no exception. The goals have come consistently (the squad was shut out in each of its final five contests) for the Falcons to get the wins necessary to get back to the playoffs. This fall, Freeport plans on not only making it to the postseason, but on staying awhile.

CROSS COUNTRY

Coach: Brian Berkemeyer (ninth year, one state championship)

2014 results:
(Boys) Class B state meet state champions
(Girls) DNQ for Class B state meet (7th @ regionals)

TOP RETURNERS:
(Boys) Erik Brobst (Senior), Liam Gallagher (Senior), Chandler Vincent (Senior), Ben Hight (Junior), Henry Jaques (Junior), John Smail (Junior), Ethan Sclar (Sophomore)
(Girls) Lily Johnston (Senior), Ella Russell (Senior), Hannah Schnyder (Senior), Lucy Zachau (Senior)

Top foes: Cape Elizabeth, Greely, York boys; Cape Elizabeth, Greely, Yarmouth girls

Coach’s comment: “The boys look strong. The top three are returning where they left off and may even be stronger. We have a very large competitive group. It will be a battle for the 4 to 7 runners. After winning states last year, other teams will be looking for us to be competitive and I think we will be. The key is keeping everyone healthy and improving. We have more depth this year than last year.  Our underclassmen can now follow the lead of the top returners. Obviously the goal is to repeat as state champions.  That being said, the more important goal is for every runner to run to their potential.  We should have a lot of PR’s this season. It should be an interesting year. 

“The girls did not make it to the state meet last year, so that is the number one goal. There will be some focus on team, but that will come later in the season. Currently we are focusing on physical fitness and establishing a base. This year we are going into the season with optimism. We’ve had our best turnout for our summer program in years. The kids have better bases then most years. The senior leadership is willing to put in the work to make these great teams. I’m proud of this group. They represent Freeport very well.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: The Freeport cross country program has a lot to look forward to in the weeks come.

The boys could be on the brink of becoming a dynasty. something Berkemeyer, our Coach of the Year last fall, hinted at last autumn. After winning Class B for the first time a year ago, the Falcons return five runners who scored at states in 2014. Leading the way will be Vincent, who was the individual runner-up. Brobst (eighth) could move into the top five and Jaques (16th), Gallagher (30th) and Sclar (63rd) all hope to improve. If that isn’t enough, Hight and Smail also return and several newcomers hope to make a mark. After winning a first Class B title a year ago, the Falcons could go back-to-back for the first time. 

On the girls’ side, after missing states in 2014 for the first time in a dozen years, the Falcons are looking to bounce back with a vengeance. Leading the way will be Johnston, who was 21st at states as an individual. Other runners to watch include Russell, Schnyder and Zachau, new junior Laura Pierce and freshman Lily Horne. Freeport will be chasing the conference’s elite, but at the regional meet, it should have enough to qualify. With several top runners due to graduate in June, getting some younger runners valuable big meet experience this fall is crucial.

GOLF

Coach: Peter Tilton (eighth year)

2014 results: 1-10 (no postseason)

Top returners: Jeremiah Fricke-Thebarge (Senior), Scott Donahue (Sophomore)

Top foes: Wells, Yarmouth

Coach’s comment: “We’re low in numbers and we’re inexperienced. We’ll work hard to improve toward competitiveness.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: The golf team returns a couple players to watch and there are several newcomers who will provide depth and optimism. 

This year’s team will be paced by veteran Fricke-Theberge. Donahue hopes to play a bigger role this fall. Five newcomers, Zach Bressette, Spencer Johnson, Isaac Salisbury, Caleb Salter and Steele Young, provide depth.

The Falcons hope to win some regular season matches and improve from start to finish. If that’s the case, the year will be a resounding success.

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

Senior Izzy Qualls returns in goal for the Falcons.

Taylor Rinaldi had a strong freshman season and should be a force as a sophomore.

Junior Bailey Coffin will be a top scoring threat for the Falcons this fall.

Sophomore Chloe Davidson is another emerging star.

Senior Morgan Karnes is one of the top goalies in the league.

Erik Brobst is a talented veteran for the defending champs. He placed eighth at last year’s Class B state meet.

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Chandler Vincent’s individual runner-up performance led Freeport to a Class B team boys’ cross country title last year. Vincent is back for more and the Falcons are eyeing a repeat.