Scarborough’s Salvator DeBenedetto breaks free for big yardage during the defending Class A champion Red Storm’s 41-13 win at Sanford in last Friday’s regular season opener.

Cape Elizabeth goalkeeper Harry Baker makes a save during the Capers’ 2-1 loss at Yarmouth Tuesday night.

Cape Elizabeth’s Camilla Grosso, left, Kelsey Kennedy and Zoe Evans run during the Capers’ season-opening cross country meet last week at North Yarmouth Academy. Grosso was fourth, Kennedy fifth and Evans seventh as Cape Elizabeth placed first as a team.

(Ed. Note: For the complete Cape Elizabeth-Yarmouth boys’ soccer and Scarborough-Falmouth girls’ soccer game stories, 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

Defending Class A state football champion Scarborough got off to a rousing start, winning, 41-13, at Sanford last Friday. Jarett Flaker put on a show, scoring four first half touchdowns on the ground (from 49-, 15-, 4- and 6-yards). Tyler Gobeil (12-yards) and Salvator DeBenedetto (3-yards) had second half rushing scores. 

“It was a great start for us,” said Flaker (seven carries, 116 yards). “We were really excited for this game to show everyone we’re back.”

“The defense at times bent and gave up plays, but we found a way to shut (Sanford) down,” said Red Storm coach Lance Johnson. 

Scarborough looks to improve to 2-0 Friday night when it opens the home portion of its schedule versus 0-1 Deering.

Cape Elizabeth also enjoyed a decisive win in week one, downing host Lake Region, 47-16. A 20-yard touchdown pass from Andrew Hartel to Ethan Convey put the Capers on top to stay. Hartel then hooked up with Sean O’Sullivan for a 52-yard score and an 18-yard Jack Tower run made it 21-0. After the Lakers pulled within 21-7 after one quarter, Tower scored on a 20-yard run and Colin Campbell scored on a 3-yard run. Lake Region pulled within 34-13, but by halftime, Cape Elizabeth had a 34-point lead, as Hartel hit Matt Conley from 35-yards out and Hartel and Matt Laughlin combined for a 30-yard score. The Lakers kicked a fourth quarter field goal to account for the final score. 

Hartel dazzled, to the tune of 13-of-24 passing for 289 yards and four TDs. Tower rushed for 90 yards and two touchdowns.

The Capers welcome 1-0 Wells, the defending Class D champion, for their home opener Friday.

South Portland started with a 34-6 home loss to Bonny Eagle. Anthony Poole hit Josh Frank for a 49-yard scoring pass for the Red Riots’ lone touchdown in the fourth quarter. South Portland is at 0-1 Massabesic Friday. 

Boys’ soccer

Scarborough’s boys’ soccer team got off to a fast start with a 3-0 home win over Deering in last Friday’s opener. David Trammell scored all three goals. After going to Thornton Academy Thursday, the Red Storm visit Windham Saturday and host Gorham in a pivotal contest Tuesday of next week.

South Portland earned a measure of revenge for last year’s playoff ouster when it downed visiting Thornton Academy, 3-1, in its first contest Tuesday night. Alecks Kaurin scored twice and Anthony Perron added a goal. The Red Riots were at Gorham Thursday, visit Marshwood Saturday and return home to meet Biddeford Tuesday of next week.

Cape Elizabeth started with a scoreless home tie versus Greely, then fell to 0-1-1 after a 2-1 loss at Yarmouth Tuesday night. John O’Connor scored a goal with 19 seconds left in the first half to give the Capers the lead, but the Clippers scored twice early in the second half to beat Cape Elizabeth for the 11th consecutive time.

“We played really well at times,” Capers coach Raymond said. “We fought hard and should be proud of that. I can’t fault the competitive effort.”

The Capers were at Fryeburg Academy Thursday, host York Saturday and welcome Wells Tuesday of next week.

Greater Portland Christian School opened with a 2-1 double-overtime home loss to Vinalhaven. Micah LaSalle had the goal. The Lions hosted Seacoast Christian Wednesday and are idle until next Thursday when Pine Tree Academy pays a visit.

Girls’ soccer

Cape Elizabeth’s girls’ squad held off host Greely, 2-1, in its first game in a playoff rematch. Prezli Piscopo had both goals. The Capers improved to 2-0 Tuesday by downing visiting Yarmouth in a regional final rematch, 1-0, in double-overtime, thanks to a goal from Karli Chapin. Cape Elizabeth goes to York Saturday and is at Wells Tuesday of next week.

Scarborough, the defending Class A South champion, edged host Falmouth, 1-0, in its opener Saturday. After several near-misses, Molly Murnane (from Ashley Sabatino) scored in the 55th minute and the Red Storm held on from there.

“It feels fantastic,” said Murnane. “I’m so happy for everyone on the team. It’s been a long summer preparing. It’s nice to come out with a bang.”

“(Falmouth) defended hard individually and that made it tough on us,” Scarborough coach Mike Farley said. “Credit to them. It was a hard-fought game.”

The Red Storm went to Westbrook Wednesday, play host to Thornton Academy Saturday and welcome Kennebunk Wednesday of next week.

South Portland lost, 3-1, to visiting Windham to start the season. Hattie Tetzlaff scored in the 17th minute to give the Red Riots the lead, but they couldn’t hold on. South Portland was at Massabesic Wednesday, hosts Cheverus Friday and welcomes Marshwood Wednesday of next week.

GPCS downed visiting Vinalhaven, 4-1, in its opener. Mollie Campbell scored two goals, while Madi Gant and Courtney Spaulding each added a goal and an assist. The Lions return to action Tuesday of next week when Richmond pays a visit, followed by Pine Tree Academy coming to town two days later.

Field hockey

Scarborough’s field hockey team held off host South Portland, 2-1, in the teams’ mutual regular season opener last Saturday. The Red Storm got two goals from Kelby Woolverton. Scarborough welcomed Falmouth Wednesday, goes to Thornton Academy Friday and plays host to Sanford Tuesday of next week.

South Portland got a goal from Lydia Grant in its loss to Scarborough. The Red Riots sought their first victory Wednesday when they went to Noble. After hosting Bonny Eagle Friday, South Portland visits Windham Tuesday and hosts Cheverus Thursday of next week. 

Cape Elizabeth started with a 1-0 home loss to Gray-New Gloucester last week. The Capers were at Greely Thursday (see theforecaster.net for game story), host Freeport Monday and go to Lake Region Wednesday of next week.

Volleyball

Cape Elizabeth’s defending Class B champion volleyball team opened with a straight set victory at Kennebunk. The Capers improved to 2-0 Tuesday with a straight set home win over Gardiner. Cape Elizabeth was home with Brunswick Thursday and goes to Biddeford Wednesday of next week.

Scarborough, the defending Class A champion, avenged last year’s season-opening five-set loss to Deering by turning the tables on the visiting Rams last Friday in a marathon match (25-14, 21-25, 25-12, 20-25, 15-6). The Red Storm then improved to 2-0 Tuesday with another 3-2 win at Windham. Scarborough was home against Bonny Eagle Thursday and goes to Cheverus Tuesday of next week.

South Portland, last year’s Class A runner-up, started by downing visiting Marshwood in four sets (25-15, 24-26, 25-16, 25-22). Tuesday, in a playoff rematch, the Red Riots fell to 1-1 with a 3-2 loss at Gorham (17-25, 26-24, 22-25, 25-22, 5-15). South Portland was home with Yarmouth Thursday and plays host to Falmouth Tuesday of next week.

Cross country

Cape Elizabeth’s cross country teams joined Freeport and Gray-New Gloucester at North Yarmouth Academy to open the season last Friday. The girls placed first behind Lila Gaudrault’s first-place individual showing (19 minutes, 6 seconds). The boys’ team also placed first as Jack Bassett was the fastest individual (16:54). 

Scarborough joined Biddeford and Gorham at Marshwood to open the season. The Red Storm were first behind Connor Coffin’s first-place finish (17:33.0). Tristram Coffin was a half-second behind in second place. The girls’ squad was also first and was led by freshman Megan Randall (fourth, 22:06).

South Portland joined Massabesic and Thornton Academy at Windham to start the year. The boys were fourth and were led by Cliff Robbins-Sennewald (sixth, 18:15.26).  The girls’ team also came in fourth. Eileen Porterfield was the top individual (10th, 24:46.07).

Golf

Cape Elizabeth’s defending Class B state champion golf team started with a 7-0 win over Wells last week. Defending individual champion Austin Legge was the medalist with a nine-hole round of 38. The Capers  handled visiting North Yarmouth Academy, 5-2, Tuesday. Legge (37) had the low score. Cape Elizabeth hosted Yarmouth Thursday and goes to Gray-New Gloucester Tuesday of next week.

Defending Class A champion Scarborough opened the season with wins over Portland (8-5) and Falmouth (7.5-5.5). Ethan Mason was the medalist versus the Bulldogs with a nine-hole score of 36. In the win over the Yachtsmen, defending individual champion Anthony Burnham shot a team-best round of 41. Tuesday, Scarborough improved to 3-0 with a 10-3 victory over Cheverus. Burnham (34) was the medalist. The Red Storm welcomed South Portland Thursday and play host to Deering Tuesday of next week.

South Portland started with losses to Falmouth (11.5-1.5) and Deering (7.5-5.5). Matt Connolly shot a team-best 46 against the Yachtsmen, while Andrew Varipatis had a low score of 44 against the Rams. The Red Riots fell to 0-3 Tuesday with a 9.5-3.5 loss to Portland. Varipatis had a team-best round of 45. South Portland was at Scarborough Thursday and welcomes Cheverus Tuesday of next week.

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

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