It was that kind of day Saturday for Scarborough’s football team, as Connor Oliver couldn’t quite reach this pass in the Red Storm’s 35-13 loss at Thornton Academy, in a battle of unbeatens.

Scarborough goalkeeper Nathan Taggart punches the ball away from a Falmouth attacker during the Red Storm’s 2-0 home loss Monday.

Cape Elizabeth’s Tess Dolan returns a shot during the Capers’ first loss of the season last week at Falmouth.

Scarborough’s Megan Randall runs during a cross country meet at Westbrook last weekend.

(Ed. Note: For the complete Scarborough-Thornton Academy football, Scarborough-Falmouth and South Portland-Portland boys’ soccer and Scarborough-Cheverus field hockey game stories, please see theforecaster.net)

The first hardware of the fall sports season was handed out last weekend in Vassalboro and there will be plenty more to come.

The field hockey regular season is wrapping up and it won’t be long until football, soccer, volleyball and cross country will move on to their next phase as well.

Here’s a look back at the week that was and a glimpse at the key matchups to come:

Golf

Cape Elizabeth and Scarborough’s golf teams weren’t able to repeat as state champions last weekend at Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro.

In the Class A match, the Red Storm had a team score of 317, but that left them five stroke behind champion Mt. Ararat. Reigning Class A individual champion Anthony Burnham posted a team-high top score of 71 over 18 holes. Also scoring were Ethan Mason (79), Peter Malia (83) and Alden Griffiths (84). Cam Chamberlain’s round of 89 wasn’t factored in.

In Class B, the Capers shot a team score of 346 to come in fourth (York’s 333 gave it the title). Cape Elizabeth was led by reigning Class B individual champion Austin Legge’s round of 72. Aiden Lee (88), Shepard Smith (91) and Conner Labonty (95) also scored. Michael Mackenzie’s 98 wasn’t factored in.

The golf season concludes Saturday back at Natanis with the Class A, B and C boys’ individual championships, as well as a one-division girls’ championship round.

Football

Scarborough’s football team got its first big test last Saturday when it went to powerhouse Thornton Academy and the defending Class A champion Red Storm weren’t able to pass it, losing, 35-13, to fall to 4-1 on the season. Scarborough fell behind, 7-0, on the Golden Trojans’ first play from scrimmage, but drew even early in the second quarter on an 8-yard touchdown run from Jarett Flaker. The score remained 7-7 into the third period, where Thornton Academy scored three TDs and the Red Storm had a score called back. Scarborough quarterback Chase Cleary scored on a 4-yard run in the fourth quarter, but the Red Storm missed the extra point and the Golden Trojans tacked on one more touchdown to produce the final margin.

“(Thornton Academy) controlled the line of scrimmage more in the second half,” Scarborough coach Lance Johnson said. “They played well up front and ran the ball well. We weren’t able to get guys blocked off the edges or get space. 

“I think our guys competed. We have athletes and we can compete up front. I’d like us to move the ball more consistently. We couldn’t set up things we wanted to run and we couldn’t overcome field position.”

The Red Storm (third behind Bonny Eagle and Thornton Academy in the Class A South Heal Points standings) go to 2-4 Lewiston Friday, then close at home versus Bonny Eagle Oct. 19.

“We’ve got things to work on,” Johnson said. “Our season’s not over and we’ll learn from this. We’ll keep working and try to improve so we can win the next two (games) and get a home playoff game and a bye.”

South Portland fell to 1-5 after a 13-7 loss at Deering. The Red Riots’ points came on an Artimus Stilley 8-yard run, but they couldn’t quite rally from a 13-point deficit. The Red Riots (sixth in Class A South) host 2-4 Edward Little Friday, then close with the “Battle of the Bridge” at rival Portland Oct. 19.

Cape Elizabeth evened its record at 3-3 with a 17-8 victory at Gardiner last Friday. Garrett Mello’s 3-yard run put the Capers on top, 7-0. Midway through the third period, Andrew Hartel and Ethan Convey hooked up for a 45-yard scoring pass. Alex Morin’s 29-yard field goal made it a three-score game and that was enough to withstand a late Tigers’ TD and two-point conversion.

“I think this is just a big win for us, momentum-wise,” said Convey, who caught five passes for 78 yards and a touchdown. “We’re all happy about it. We grinded it out.”

“I thought both teams played hard and you like that in October,” said Capers coach Aaron Filieo.

Cape Elizabeth (third in Class C South) hosts 5-1 Fryeburg Academy in a pivotal contest Friday, then closes at Yarmouth.

Boys’ soccer

South Portland’s boys’ soccer team enjoyed wins last week at Bonny Eagle (3-1) and at home against Noble (5-0), then fell to 7-4 and eighth in the Class A South Heals Tuesday after a 1-0 home loss to Portland Tuesday night. In the win over the Scots, James Dufitimana, Cooper Mehlhorn and Anthony Riga had the goals. Against the Knights, Mehlhorn scored twice and Jacob Dresser, Dylan Houle and Alberto Kissaka each had one goal. The Red Riots fell behind the Bulldogs in the first half and couldn’t respond, as Kissaka hit the crossbar in the second half.

“I think we’re doing pretty well,” South Portland coach Bryan Hoy said. “We’ve had some pretty good games. I think we’ve had some tough games against top teams, but I think we’ve done a good job getting better and figuring things out. We learned last year it doesn’t matter what you do in the regular season, it’s all about the playoffs.”

The Red Riots are back in action Friday at Sanford, welcome Cheverus in a pivotal contest Saturday and close at home versus Westbrook Tuesday of next week.

Scarborough bounced back from losses at Cheverus (1-0) and at home to Falmouth (2-0) with a come-from-behind 2-1, double-overtime home victory over Bonny Eagle Tuesday to improve to 9-3 and sixth in Class A South. The Red Storm earned a penalty kick in the second minute against the Yachtsmen, but hit the post and never could get on the board.

“We had a good opportunity right away and didn’t score and that’s just the way it goes,” lamented longtime Scarborough coach Mark Diaz. “We’ll have to learn from our mistakes.”

In the win, Danny Travers had the tying goal and Liam Bridgham scored just before time expired in the second OT. The Red Storm go to Portland Thursday, then close at home against Sanford Tuesday of next week.

In Class B South, Cape Elizabeth was 5-3-3 and third behind Yarmouth and Freeport in the Heals at press time following a 3-2 overtime win at York and a 1-0 setback at Greely. In the victory, Nick Aceto scored twice, including in overtime, and Phil Tarling also tickled the twine. The Capers are at Freeport Friday, visit Lake Region Saturday and close at home versus Poland Monday.

In Class D South, Greater Portland Christian School was 2-9 and 13th (10 teams make the playoffs) following a 6-3 home loss to Chop Point and a 9-2 home setback to Buckfield. After going to Temple Academy Friday, the Lions play at Pine Tree Academy Tuesday of next week.

Girls’ soccer

On the girls’ side, Cape Elizabeth and Scarborough continue to chug along.

The Capers improved to 12-0 and first in the Class B South Heals after shutout home wins last week over Lake Region (6-0) and Fryeburg Academy (7-0). Karli Chapin, Prezli Piscopo and Laura Ryer all had two goals, while Maggie Cochran had three assists in the win over the Lakers. Against the Raiders, Chapin had three goals, Cochran two and Piscopo and Ryer one apiece. Cape Elizabeth was at Poland Thursday, then closes at Freeport Friday.

In Class A South, Scarborough was 11-0 and first after downing visiting Noble (2-1, in overtime), host Cheverus (3-1) and host Massabesic (10-0). In the win over the Knights, Grace Pettingill scored in regulation and Molly Murnane delivered the OT winner. Against the Stags, Sarah Callahan had two goals and Emily Johnson scored the other. In the win over the Mustangs, Leah Dickman had a hat trick, Caitlin Noiles, Ashley Sabatino and Maddy Wallace all scored twice and Josie Couture also found the net. The Red Storm were at Marshwood Wednesday, host Gorham for a pivotal game Friday and close at home versus Windham Tuesday of next week.

South Portland was 3-6-2 and 12th in Class A South (12 teams make the playoffs) after an 8-0 home win over Westbrook and a 1-0 loss at Sanford. In the victory, Jena Leckie scored twice on her birthday, Evelyn Selser had a hat trick and Julia Banks, Brooklynn Ortiz and Grace Steady had one goal apiece. The Red Riots went to Noble Wednesday, welcome Bonny Eagle Saturday and close at Deering Tuesday of next week.

In Class D South, GPCS was 1-10 and 10th at press time (nine teams make the playoffs) after a3-1 home loss to Pine Tree Academy and an 11-0 home loss to Buckfield. The Lions are at Temple Academy Friday and close at Pine Tree Academy Tuesday of next week.

Field hockey

Scarborough’s field hockey team finished the regular season 11-2-1 following wins over visiting Cheverus (2-0) and at Kennebunk (2-1, in double-overtime), a scoreless tie at Windham and a 3-2 home victory over Massabesic. Against the Stags, after holding off some early pressure, Bella Turner scored twice to pace the victory.

“We worked hard and pulled together and really wanted to win,” Turner said. “Cheverus is always a big game, a rival.”

“It was tough because it was back-and-forth for the most part,” Caitlyn Tyrrell said. “We felt good and had high energy. We knew our defense could take care of things.”

“They didn’t have as much zip after (we scored),” Red Storm coach Kerry Mariello added. “When you go down, you tend to panic and make more mistakes. We tried to key on a few of their top players and try and take them out of it. We settled down and took advantage of the opportunities we were given.”

Tyrrell scored in regulation and Hannah Dobecki had the winner against the Rams. In the win over the Mustangs, Carrie Timpson scored twice and Tyrrell had the winner. 

Scarborough will likely host a quarterfinal round playoff game next week.

South Portland finished 2-12 and 15th in Class A South (where just 12 teams qualify for the playoffs) following a 2-1 loss at Sanford, a 5-2 home victory over Portland and an 8-0 setback at defending regional champion Westbrook. Lydia Grant had the goal against the Spartans. Grant, Kiley Callow, Lauren DiBiase, Maddie Drolet, Kaylee Whitten all scored in the victory.

In Class B South, Cape Elizabeth was 1-12 and 12th in the Heals (eight teams make the playoffs) entering Wednesday’s finale at Gray-New Gloucester. Last week, the Capers dropped a 3-1 decision at Yarmouth, then got in the win column, 3-0, over visiting Sacopee Valley. Josie Boechenstein scored in the setback. Kaitlin Norrad had two goals and Isabel Berman added one in the victory.

Volleyball

Cape Elizabeth’s defending Class B state champion volleyball team finally met its match last week. The Capers had their 28-match win streak snapped last Thursday with a four-set (21-25, 25-22, 25-27, 19-25) loss at Falmouth in a state rematch. Tuesday, Cape Elizabeth improved to 12-1 with a four-set (22-25, 29-27, 25-19, 25-10) home win over Windham. The Capers (who will be first for the Class B playoffs) close at Cony Tuesday of next week.

Scarborough, the defending Class A champion, was 10-2 and fourth following 3-1 victories at Thornton Academy and Greely (25-14, 26-24, 19-25, 26-24) and a straight-set (25-20, 25-16, 25-20) win at Portland. After hosting Biddeford in a critical match Thursday, the Red Storm close at home versus South Portland Tuesday of next week in a rematch of last year’s state final.

South Portland was 6-7 and eighth in Class A following a five-set win at York, a straight-set (12-25, 18-25, 19-25) setback at home to Windham and a straight-set (13-25, 24-26, 23-25) home loss to Thornton Academy. The Red Riots close at Scarborough Tuesday of next week.

Cross country

Scarborough joined Falmouth, Gorham and Windham for a cross country meet at Westbrook last weekend. The Red Storm boys were first and were led by individual runner-up Tristram Coffin (16 minutes, 13.61 seconds). The girls finished second to Falmouth and were paced by Megan Randall (third, 19:47.82).

South Portland ran with Cheverus and Deering at Portland. Both the boys’ and girls’ teams wound up fourth (the Bulldogs won the boys’ meet, while the Rams were first on the girls’ side). Individually, the boys were led by Cliff Sennewald-Robbins (seventh, 17:42) and the girls were paced by Rachel Kingsley (15th, 22:58).

Cape Elizabeth hosted Freeport, Greely and Lake Region. The Capers won the girls’ meet and Lila Gaudrault was the top individual (18:50). The boys came in second to the Rangers, as Jack Bassett was second individually in 16:31. 

This weekend, while Scarborough and South Portland gear up for the regional championships Oct. 20, Cape Elizabeth will run in the Western Maine Conference championship meet Friday in Standish.

Kennebec Journal staff writer Drew Bonifant contributed to this story.

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