Freeport’s Alex Les runs during last weekend’s home meet. Les was fifth individually and the Falcons defeated Yarmouth, Greely, Fryeburg Academy and Old Orchard Beach to place first as a team.

North Yarmouth Academy’s Amber Rose possesses the ball during the Panthers’ 3-1 home loss to St. Dom’s Friday.

Yarmouth’s Ehryn Groothoff heads the ball during the Clippers’ 3-0 home loss to Cape Elizabeth Saturday.

Falmouth’s Nik Hester is congratulated after scoring one of his two goals in last week’s 3-0 victory at Deering.

(Ed. Note: For the complete Falmouth-Deering and Yarmouth-Cape Elizabeth boys’ soccer, Yarmouth-Cape Elizabeth girls’ soccer and Greely-York and NYA-St. Dom’s field hockey game stories, with photos, see theforecaster.net)

The calendar has flipped from September to October and the drama continues to rise.

By this time next week, the first champions of fall will be crowned and several other sports will be closer to locking in playoff participants.

Here’s a look at what occurred last week and what’s to come:

Football

Freeport’s football team is playing in the Class E Developmental League this fall and the Falcons are thriving. Last Friday, Freeport welcomed undefeated Dirigo and rolled to a 34-14 victory. Adam Ulrickson set the tone by returning the opening kickoff 75-yards for a touchdown. 

“That right there was awesome, that really set the tone of the game,” Freeport coach Paul St. Pierre said. “Our kickoff team is playing so well right now. It’s an extra weapon that most teams don’t have right now.”

Dirigo tied the score, 6-6, but by halftime, the Falcons had a 20-6 lead behind a 30-yard Ulrickson TD run and an 18-yard Caden Benedict touchdown scamper. After Dirigo pulled within 20-14, Ulrickson ran for another score and Freeport went on to victory to improve to 4-1.

“The kids were hungry,” St. Pierre said. “After last week’s game against Telstar, some of them got pulled early for subs and I think they wanted to get back out there and play a full game.”

The Falcons are now first in the Class E Heal Points standings and return to action Friday at 2-3 Traip Academy.

In Class B South, Falmouth was hoping to avenge last year’s playoff ouster when it hosted defending state champion Marshwood, but the Yachtsmen were no match for the Hawks, falling to 3-2 after a 45-0 setback. Falmouth fell behind, 12-0, after one quarter, then trailed, 39-0 at halftime.

“We were flatter than I thought we would be when the game started,” said Falmouth coach John Fitzsimmons. “Marshwood is a terrific team. We were very unfortunate early in first quarter we lost three starting lineman. That doesn’t take away from a strong Marshwood squad, but when you are young and you lose three starters it is hard to get back into a game like this.”

The Yachtsmen (now fourth in the Heals) are at 1-4 Mt. Ararat Saturday.

Greely improved to 3-2 and sixth in the region following a 42-6 win at Westbrook. The Rangers led, 8-0, after one quarter on Will Schmacher’s 18-yard touchdown run. Quarterback Nick Male scored on runs of 5- and 11-yards and Brady Nolin added a 9-yard scoring run to push the lead to 28-6 at halftime. Schumacher and Naveen Caron added second half TD runs to account for the final score. Greely hosts 2-3 Biddeford Friday (see theforecaster.net for game story).

In Class C South, Yarmouth fell to 1-4 after a 35-19 loss at Morse. Noah Eckersley-Ray put the Clippers on top with a first quarter 5-yard touchdown run, but the Shipbuilders tied the game, then, in the second period, after a 19-yard Eckersley-Ray TD scamper gave Yarmouth a 13-7 advantage, Morse rallied to go ahead, 21-13, at the break. The Clippers got within two in the third quarter, but the Shipbuilders scored the game’s final 14 points. Yarmouth (seventh in the Heals) hosts 1-4 Lake Region Friday.

Boys’ soccer

Yarmouth’s boys’ soccer team, the four-time defending Class B state champion, extended its three-year unbeaten streak to 40 games after wins last week at home over York, 3-1, and at Cape Elizabeth, 1-0. Eric LaBrie scored all three goals against the Wildcats. In the win over the Capers, Cam Merrill scored early in the second half and the Clippers’ defense made it hold up.

“Even in the 1-0 games, we act like it’s 0-0 and push really hard,” Merrill said.

“We stayed with the game plan and what we can control and stayed calm,” said back Evan Van Lonkhuyzen. “The really close games make us better.”

“Our goal this year is to have more fun,” added longtime Clippers coach Mike Hagerty. “They’re very loose for a young, inexperienced team.”

Yarmouth (9-0-1 and first in the Class B South Heals) was home against Greely Tuesday, pays a visit to Freeport Friday and welcomes Gray-New Gloucester Tuesday of next week.

Freeport began the week second behind Yarmouth with a 7-1-2 mark. Last week, the Falcons blanked visiting Poland, 6-0, then beat host Greely for the first time this century, 3-0. In the win over the Knights, Jesse Bennell had two goals, while Bill Antoine, Owen Howarth, Eriksen Shea and Shea Wagner each added one. Against the Rangers, Bennell had a hat trick. Freeport was at York Tuesday, hosts Yarmouth Friday and welcomes Fryeburg Academy Tuesday of next week.

Greely was 3-3-2 and fifth at press time after Friday’s 3-0 home loss to Freeport. The Rangers went to Yarmouth Tuesday, play at Wells Thursday, host Cape Elizabeth in a makeup game Monday (see theforecaster.net for game story) and welcome Lake Region Tuesday of next week.

Falmouth continues to surge up the standings in Class A South, sitting 7-1-1 and third behind Gorham and Cheverus in the Heals entering Tuesday’s showdown at Scarborough (see theforecaster.net for game story). Last week, the Yachtsmen blanked host Deering, 3-0, then made it eight straight shutouts with a 2-0 home victory over South Portland. Against the Rams, in the rain, Nik Hester had two goals and Gus Ford scored the third.

“Our defense is super-solid and we get better on offense every day,” Hester said.

“We’re coming,” said longtime Falmouth coach Dave Halligan. “We get better each time out and we’re headed in the right direction.”

Ford and Tom Fitzgerald had the goals in the win over the Red Riots. The Yachtsmen play host to Thornton Academy Thursday, then visit Gorham for a playoff rematch Tuesday of next week.

In Class D South, North Yarmouth Academy was 9-1 and first at press time despite suffering its first loss last week. After a 6-1 home over Richmond last Tuesday (Ryan Baker scored four times, while Cam Goodrich and Alasdair Swett also tickled the twine), the Panthers got a first half goal from Damon Dulac at rival Waynflete Thursday and held that lead until the 79th minute, when the Flyers tied it. Waynflete then won the game, 2-1, in overtime.

“It’s always a passionate game when we play Waynflete,” NYA coach Martyn Keen said. “We have a lot of seniors and they wanted to get away with a ‘W.’ I would have liked to have walked away with something, but it’s a good lesson.”

The Panthers got back on track Saturday with a 5-0 home win over Lake Region, as Baker, Goodrich, Xander Kostelnik, Finn Murray and Chas Rhode all had one goal. NYA was home with Traip Academy Tuesday, hosts Sacopee Valley Thursday and welcomes Buckfield Tuesday of next week.

Girls’ soccer

On the girls’ side, Falmouth began the week second to Gorham in the Class A South Heals at 4-2-3 following a 1-1 draw at Portland and a 2-0 home win over South Portland. Chelsea Gravier scored in the tie. Lexi Bugbee and C.C. Cohen had the goals in the victory. The Yachtsmen hosted Massabesic Wednesday, go to Windham Friday and visit Westbrook Wednesday of next week.

In Class B South, Freeport was 6-2-2 and fourth after a 7-0 victory at Poland and a 6-2 home win over Greely, the Falcons’ first over the Rangers this century. Catriona Gould and Rachel Wall each had three goals and Carly Intraversato also scored against the Knights. In the win over the Rangers, Gould continued her assault on the school’s record books with five goals and now has 24 on the year, with six hat tricks. Allison Greuel also scored.

“We stopped Greely’s attack with stellar performance from our back four, Tara Miggliaccio, Abby Brier, Sarah Gray and Annika Thomas,” said Freeport coach David Intraversato. “I’m very proud of all the girls tonight. The atmosphere at the new turf facility was outstanding. The fans showed up in full force.”

The Falcons hosted York Tuesday, play at Yarmouth Friday (see theforecaster.net for game story) and visit Fryeburg Academy Tuesday of next week.

Yarmouth, the two-time defending Class B champion, was 6-3 and fifth in Class B South following a 2-0 home win over Gray-New Gloucester and a 3-0 home setback to Cape Elizabeth. Ehryn Groothoff and Anna Wallace each scored in the victory. Against the Capers, the Clippers trailed, 1-0, at halftime and couldn’t respond.

“We’re disappointed, but it’s a long season and we have a big week ahead,” Clippers coach Chris Coleman said. “We know we can play with anyone.”

Yarmouth was home with Greely Tuesday, hosts Freeport Friday and visits Gray-New Gloucester Tuesday of next week.

Greely fell to 3-5-1 and 11th in Class B South after losses at Cape Elizabeth (5-1) and at home to Freeport (6-2) last week. Skylar Cooney had the goal in the loss to the Capers. Paige Evans and Katherine Clancy scored against the Falcons. The Rangers went to Yarmouth Tuesday, host Wells Thursday and visit Lake Region Tuesday of next week.

In Class D South, NYA edged visiting Waynflete, 2-1, then blanked visiting Greater Portland Christian School, 16-0, last week to improve to 7-2-1 and fourth in the Heals. Natalie Farrell and Catherine Reid (on a penalty kick) had the goals against the Flyers. Against the Lions, Serena Mower had four goals, Madison Argitis, Jasmine Huntsman, Emma Sharpe and Alev Yilmax each scored twice and Farrell, Maureen Grant, Naomi Reischmann and Marion Robbins had one goal apiece. The Panthers were at Waynflete Wednesday, visit Rangeley Saturday and play host to Buckfield Tuesday of next week.

Field hockey

Freeport’s field hockey team was 9-2-1 and second to Fryeburg Academy in the Class B South Heals following last week’s 7-0 home win over Cape Elizabeth and a 1-1 tie at Fryeburg. In the victory, Kerry Lefebvre scored twice, while Natalie Anderson, Ainsley Decker, Amelia Farrin, Alexa Koenig and Ally Randall all added one goal. Randall scored late at the Raiders to forge the tie. The Falcons hosted Gray-New Gloucester Thursday, then welcome Greely in the regular season finale Wednesday of next week.

Greely began the week 9-2 and fifth after home wins over defending regional champion York (1-0) and Gray-New Gloucester (3-1) last week. Against the Wildcats, Courtney Rog’s goal held up.

“It speaks volumes about how much work the girls have put in,” said Rangers coach Chelsea Morley. “It’s nice to see all the hard work fall right. (This win) means a little bit more.”

Rog and Megan Beaulieu scored in the win over the Patriots. Greely was home with Sacopee Valley Tuesday, has a rematch at York Thursday and closes at Freeport next Wednesday.

Yarmouth was 5-6 and eighth after a 2-0 win at Wells and a 5-0 loss at York last week. After going to Lake Region Tuesday and hosting Cape Elizabeth Thursday, the Clippers close at home versus Poland Wednesday of next week.

Falmouth was 7-3-2 and fourth in Class A South following a 2-2 tie at Biddeford, a 3-1 home win over South Portland and a 1-0 loss at Gorham. Liberty Ladd and Sammy Means scored in the tie. In the victory, Ladd, Chloe Bush and Veronica Grobe all rattled the cage. The Yachtsmen welcome Thornton Academy Friday and close at Sanford Tuesday of next week.

In Class C South, NYA was 4-6 and seventh after home losses to Lake Region (4-1) and defending Class C champion St. Dom’s (3-1). Mary Parker scored against the Lakers and Katie Larson scored as time expired against the Saints.

“The girls didn’t give up one second and the end of the game really showed that,” Panthers first-year coach Annika King said.” As a coach, that’s all I can ask for.”

NYA was at Wells Tuesday, goes to Wells against Thursday and hosts Traip Academy Saturday and again Wednesday of next week to wrap up the season.

Volleyball

Falmouth’s volleyball team began the week 7-1 and second to Gorham in Class A following straight-set wins last week at Bonny Eagle (25-12, 25-18, 25-23) and at home over Biddeford (25-21, 26-24, 25-22). Katie Phillips had 12 assists and Gretchen Barney added five aces and five kills against the Scots. In the win over the Tigers, Annika Hester had 22 kills and Summer Spiegel added 23 assists. The Yachtsmen were at Kennebunk Tuesday, then host defending Class B champion Cape Elizabeth in a state final rematch Thursday.

In Class B, Yarmouth was 7-2 and second to Cape Elizabeth after straight-set wins at home over NYA (25-15, 25-9, 25-18) and at Cheverus (25-16, 25-19, 25-15).  Dominique Moran had nine aces and Kaitlyn Bennett eight kills in the win over the Panthers. Against the Stags, Bennett had 11 kills and Moran added 23 assists and nine aces. After hosting Gardiner Tuesday, the Clippers visit Mt. Desert Island Friday.

Greely was 3-6 and fifth in Class B following a straight-set (15-25, 13-25, 13-25) loss at defending Class A champion Scarborough and a five-set home victory over Brunswick/Mt. Ararat last week. After hosting Cape Elizabeth Tuesday, the Rangers play at Cony Thursday and host Scarborough Friday.

In Class C, NYA was 6-3 and fifth following a straight-set (15-25, 9-25, 18-25) loss at Yarmouth, a five-set (14-25, 19-25, 25-20, 25-6, 15-12) home victory over Wells, a four-set (25-23, 22-25, 27-25, 25-22) home win over Jonesport-Beals and a straight-set (22-25, 19-25, 18-25) home loss to Narraguagus. Sydney Plummer had 13 kills and Elizabeth Kennedy added a dozen against the Warriors. In the win over Jonesport-Beals, Plummer had 12 kills and Afton Morton added 16 assists. In the loss, Plummer had 12 kills and Holly Akey added 13 assists. The Panthers go to Lee Academy Friday, visit Washington Academy and Bucksport Saturday, then return home to welcome Lake Region Tuesday of next week.

Cross country

Falmouth, Maine Coast Waldorf and NYA took part in the Festival of Champions cross country meet in Belfast Saturday.

The Yachtsmen dazzled, as Sofie Matson was first individually in the girls’ meet with a time of 18 minutes, 21.52 seconds on the 5-kilometer course helping Falmouth place fourth out of 58 scoring teams (Bonny Eagle was first).

Falmouth’s boys were fifth out of 64 scoring teams (Brunswick came in first). The Yachtsmen featured individual runner-up John Auer (16:02.31).

MCW’s boys came in 21st, as Aiden Kusche was 64th (17:46.42). The MCW girls were 22nd, as Olivia Reynolds came in fifth (18:47.60). 

NYA’s boys’ team placed 43rd, as Chris Hamblett (108th, 18:16.22) was the top individual. The girls didn’t score.

Freeport hosted Greely, Yarmouth, Fryeburg Academy and Old Orchard Beach.

In the boys’ meet, the Falcons finished first, the Clippers were second and the Rangers placed third. Freeport’s Martin Horne was the top individual (16:32.20). Yarmouth’s Oden Rizkallah came in third (17:37). Greely was led by Leif Harvey (10th, 18:23.90). 

In the girls’ competition, Yarmouth finished first, Freeport was second and Greely placed fourth. The Falcons had the top individual in Lily Horne (19:11.20). The Clippers were paced by runner-up Maddie Marston (20:46.59). The top Ranger was Anna Briley (21st, 24:17.39).

Friday, Falmouth runs with Gorham, Scarborough and Windham at Westbrook, Freeport and Greely run with Lake Region at Cape Elizabeth, Yarmouth joins Poland, Wells and York at Traip Academy and Maine Coast Waldorf hosts NYA, Old Orchard Beach and Waynflete.

Golf

The Southwestern Maine Activities Association golf state qualifier was scheduled for Monday. Falmouth had a team score of 326 to come in third behind defending Clas A champion Scarborough and Thornton Academy and qualified for states. Tyler Baker (who had an 18-hole round of 77) and Brady Pierson (78) qualified as individuals.

The Western Maine Conference qualifier is Thursday.

The team state match is Saturday at Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro.

The individual state match is Saturday, Oct. 13, at Natanis.

Press Herald writer Brad Spiegel and Times Record staff writer Eric Maxim contributed to this story.

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