Cheverus’ Nick Hutton races through the Massabesic defense during the Stags’ 43-6 home win Saturday.

Portland’s Zack Elowitch bulls over a Windham defender during the Bulldogs’ 49-0 victory in Friday’s regular season opener. Elowitch had 203 yards and scored twice.

(Ed. Note: For the complete Portland-Windham football game story, with a box score and photos, see theforecaster.net)

The fall sports season has begun and early results have been promising for local teams.

The fun is just beginning and here’s a glimpse at what you might have missed:

Football

Portland’s football team got off to a rousing start when it rolled, 49-0, at Windham Friday. The Bulldogs avenged last year’s regional final loss in style, as Zack Elowitch ran for 203 yards and two scores to pace a 327-yard rushing attack.

Late in the first period, Elowitch capped an 11-play drive with a 2-yard plunge and when Cristo Vumpa added the extra point, the Bulldogs were ahead to stay, 7-0.

Portland pulled away in the second quarter, on the ground and through the air.

First, on fourth down, quarterback Sam Knop threw the ball into the end zone where Ben Stasium made a terrific 28-yard touchdown reception. After Elowitch scored from the 1, Knop and Stasium hooked up again, this time from 9-yards out and the Bulldogs were in command at the half, up, 28-0.

After snuffing out a promising Windham drive to start the second half, Portland drove for another touchdown, as Jamal Moriba scored on a 10-yard run to make it 35-0 and induce a mercy rule running clock. Before the third quarter was over, Knop scored on a 3-yard keeper and midway through the fourth period, fullback Ben Levine scored on a 2-yard run and the Bulldogs went on to a statement-making 49-0 victory.

Levine had a terrific second half and wound up with 73 yards and a score on 12 rushes.

“I played guard last year and was jealous of (the running backs), so it was fun to run the ball and punch one in there,” Levine said. “We have a good group of linemen this year. They’re tight on and off the field and they make it easy for us.”

“I was excited to get another shot at (Windham),” Elowitch said. “Last year went poorly for us. It’s great to come out and get the ‘W.’”

“(Power running’s) our game,” added Portland coach Jim Hartman. “That’s the type of team we are. It’s so good to get back it. We couldn’t do it last year. We got our nerves out, then we got going. We talked about last year a little bit, but we came out to prove a point after a miserable season and we did. It’s a great effort. I’m really pleased.”

Portland plays at Fitzpatrick Stadium for the first time Friday night when Cheverus pays a visit.

The Stags started fast as well, downing visiting Massabesic, 43-6. After a scoreless first period, Cheverus posted 29 points in the second quarter and 14 more in the third to roll to victory.

Teigan Lindstedt and Sean Tompkins scored on long TD runs to get the party started and after the Mustangs got on the board, Lindstedt and Ian Trafford added scoring runs before the half. Trafford scored twice more in the second half. Trafford finished with 165 rushing yards and Lindstedt added 145.

“We don’t know what’s coming next week, but anytime (former Cheverus coach and current Stags assistant John Wolfgram) coaches a football game, we’ll have our hands full,” Hartman said.

“(The Bulldogs) pose a lot of challenges,” said Vance. “They’ve got a good player at every position.”

Deering wasn’t as fortunate, falling, 70-0, to preseason favorite Thornton Academy, in a game played at Fitzpatrick Stadium.

The Rams go to defending Class A champion Scarborough (1-0) Friday.

Boys’ soccer

Portland’s defending Class A South champion boys’ soccer team started its 2018 campaign with a 3-1 win at Massabesic. Keto Tchipuo (two assists), Anselmo Tela and Henry Westphal all scored. The Bulldogs were home with Kennebunk Tuesday, visit Windham Thursday, host Gorham Saturday and play host to Falmouth Tuesday of next week.

Cheverus started with a 2-1 loss at Kennebunk. Jack Mullen scored for the Stags. Cheverus hosts Falmouth Tuesday (see theforecaster.net for game story), welcomes Massabesic Saturday and visits Bonny Eagle Tuesday of next week.

Deering dropped a 3-0 decision at Scarborough in its first game. The Rams sought to get in the win column Tuesday at home against Gorham. After visiting Biddeford Thursday, Deering plays host to Massabesic Tuesday of next week.

Waynflete began its campaign with a 3-0 home victory over Traip Academy behind two goals from Oliver Burdick and another from Pat Shaw. Luca Antolini made three saves to earn the shutout. The Flyers return to action Tuesday of next week when Sacopee Valley pays a visit.

Girls’ soccer

Cheverus’ girls’ soccer team started with a 2-0 home win over Kennebunk, behind goals from Helena Bolduc and Julia Kratzer. The Stags visit Portland Wednesday (see theforecaster.net for game story) and play at South Portland Friday.

Portland began with a 4-0 win over visiting Massabesic. Tori Stevenson had two goals and Sydney Girsch and Annika More each added one. The Bulldogs host Cheverus Wednesday and go to Marshwood Friday.

Deering’s first game was at Biddeford Tuesday. The Rams go to Noble Wednesday and host Bonny Eagle Saturday.

Waynflete began with a 4-0 loss at Traip Academy. the Flyers are back in action Tuesday of next week when Sacopee Valley pays a visit.

Field hockey

Cheverus’ highly-touted field hockey team begins its regular season Wednesday at home versus Kennebunk. The Stags go to Massabesic Saturday and host preseason favorite Biddeford Tuesday of next week.

Deering lost at Biddeford in its opener, 8-1. Alli Donovan had the Rams’ goal. Deering hosts Gorham Wednesday, visits Falmouth Saturday and plays host Thornton Academy Monday.

Portland fell, 6-0, at Thornton Academy in its first game. The Bulldogs welcome defending regional champion Westbrook Friday (see theforecaster.net for game story). Portland visits Marshwood Tuesday of next week.

Volleyball

Portland’s volleyball team opened with a 3-0 (25-16, 25-17, 25-10) victory at Massabesic. Reagan Brown led the way with five kills and Erin Chadbourne added four aces. The Bulldogs were at Deering Tuesday and host Kennebunk Thursday.

Deering started with a five-set loss at defending Class A champion Scarborough (14-25, 25-21, 12-25, 25-20, 6-15). The Rams hosted Portland Tuesday and go to Thornton Academy Thursday and Marshwood Tuesday of next week.

Cheverus opens its season Tuesday at home versus Biddeford. The Stags go to Massabesic Thursday, visit Windham Monday, then host Scarborough Tuesday.

Cross country

Cheverus hosted Deering, Kennebunk, Noble and Westbrook in a regular season-opening cross country meet last week.

Deering was first in the boys’ meet and the Stags came in fourth. Deering’s Alec Troxell was the top individual, completing the five-kilometer course in 16 minutes, 31 seconds. Cheverus was paced by William Herman (sixth, 18:11).  

The girls’ meet saw Cheverus place first and Deering come in second. The Rams featured individual runner-up Sierra Aponte-Clarke (20:47). The Stags were led by Rosie Train (fourth, 22:19).

Portland joined Bonny Eagle and Sanford at Falmouth. The Bulldogs boys placed third and were led by fifth-place individual Wyatt Dana (18:38.62). The girls also finished third and were paced by Inez Braceras (12th, 22:29.66).

Waynflete took part in a four-team meet at Wells, which also included Traip Academy and York. The Flyers boys finished third. Henry Spritz was the second-fastest individual in 18:35. Waynflete’s girls placed third. Blythe Thompson was sixth (24:24). 

Golf

Deering’s golf team, which has just four players this fall, opened with a 7.5-5.5 victory over South Portland. Bennett Berg (40) was the medalist. After hosting Falmouth Tuesday, the Rams welcome Portland Thursday.

Cheverus started with an 11-2 victory over Portland. Jeremy Baker (35) was the medalist. The Stags hosted Scarborough Tuesday and welcome Falmouth Thursday.

Portland dropped its opener, 8-5, to Scarborough then lost to Cheverus, 11-2. Cooper Bay and Jake Luce had a team-best score of 38 in the loss to the Red Storm. Jake Loranger and Ben McCallum had a team-best score of 39 against the Stags. The Bulldogs were at South Portland Tuesday and go to Deering Thursday.

Press Herald staff writer Steve Craig contributed to this story.

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

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