Scarborough athletics pumps out champions like no one else and this juggernaut is ready for another triumphant sports season. Football could be the top challenger to defending state champion Thornton Academy. Boys’ soccer is defending a title and may be on the brink of yet another. The girls’ squad won it all as well last year, in epic fashion, and has the pieces in place to bring home more hardware. Field hockey is coming off a record-setting season, which ended with a loss in the state final. This time, the Red Storm is looking to win it all. Both cross country teams have what it takes to be a factor at the conference, regional and state levels. Golf should be in the hunt for a Class A crown, while volleyball might just be the team to beat for the first time.

FOOTBALL
COACH: Lance Johnson (fourth year, 18-11 overall record)
2012 Record: 7-3 (Lost, 49-14, to eventual champion Thornton Academy in Western A semifinals)
TOP RETURNING PLAYERS: Chris Cyr (Senior), Dan LeClair (Senior), Mike Pino (Senior), Charlie Raybine (Senior), Brendon Smith (Senior)
PIVOTAL GAMES: Sept. 6 @ Sanford, Sept. 13 BANGOR, Sept. 20 @ Thornton Academy, Sept. 27 @ Bonny Eagle, Oct. 11 SOUTH PORTLAND, Oct. 18 @ Massabesic 
COACH’S COMMENT: “We expect to put a very athletic and exciting team on the field every week that will compete at a high level. We have a solid nucleus of athletes returning and our seniors are diligent and know what it takes to prepare for a season of Class A football. They’ve been great leaders on and off the field. If we continue to prepare the way we should and stay healthy, we should be competitive every week.”
THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: Scarborough achieved a program-first a season ago, qualifying for the postseason for the third year in a row. Now that Johnson has established the Red Storm as a perennial contender, the next step is a deep playoff run, something which could happen as soon as this fall. While Thornton Academy, understandably, is the prohibitive favorite, the rest of new-look Western A is wide open and Scarborough has an opportunity to take advantage. There is work to be done first, however.
For starters, the Red Storm has to replace 2012 Fall Male Athlete of the Year and Fitzpatrick Trophy semifinalist Dillon Russo, the strong-armed quarterback and team leader. Luckily for the program, there’s a pretty impressive, big-name player with a great arm waiting in the wings in senior Ben Greenberg, who was merely Maine’s baseball Gatorade Player of the Year in the spring. Greenberg possesses a classic quarterback build and is athletic enough to get the job done. The running game will be paced by LeClair (510 yards in 2012), Raybine, senior Kenny Adams and junior Zach Carriero. Through the air, Greenberg will look for Cyr (220 yards on 14 catches during a first-team all-star season last fall), Smith and senior Matt Fosler. The offensive line is paced by Pino, with help from seniors Ben Garrard and Jake MacDonald and junior Patrick Shaw. This will be a dual threat offense, one that will gouge the opposition both on the ground and vertically.
Defensively, Scarborough hopes to improve against top foes (last year surrendering 109 points in its three losses). The defensive line features Garrard, Pino (a second-team all-star last season), Shaw and Smith (57 tackles, 2 sacks during a second-team all-star campaign last year). The linebacking corps includes MacDonald and Raybine (72 tackles, 2 interceptions in 2012). In the secondary, Adams, Carriero, Cyr, Fosler, Greenberg and LeClair will roam.
The Red Storm will be tested every week as there are several good teams in the region. Scarborough should be able to put up points, it just needs to come up with key defensive stops. Another winning season is likely. The Red Storm, like everyone else, will measure itself against Thornton Academy. When all is said and done, Scarborough might be the team that can knock the Golden Trojans from their perch.

BOYS’ SOCCER
COACH: Mark Diaz (15th year, 185-36-13 overall record, five state championships)
2012 Record: 16-0-2 (Beat Mt. Ararat, 4-0, to win Class A state championship)
TOP RETURNING PLAYERS: Mike Caryl (Senior), Sam Cekada (Senior), Charlie Mader (Senior), Andrew Morrissey (Senior), Wyatt Omsberg (Senior), Pat Stanton (Senior)
PIVOTAL GAMES: Sept. 7 SOUTH PORTLAND, Sept. 10 PORTLAND, Sept. 28 @ Cheverus, Oct. 3 @ Gorham, Oct. 8 @ Deering
COACH’S COMMENT: “We have guys who know what to do. We’re strong in the back and our goalie’s very good. On offense, we have a lot of goals to replace. We have to find a way to score consistently. It’s a hard working, serious group. They understand it’s their time and their team. It’s a very different season, but they’re accepting the challenge. A lot of kids people don’t know much about will have a chance to step up this season.”
THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: Scarborough is coming off its third undefeated, championship season in the past five years and there’s no end in sight for this juggernaut. Yes, graduation claimed several key players, including one Dan Ornstein, who scored a first half hat trick in the state game, all-stater Austin Downing and all-regional selections Chris Cleary and Trevor Sparda, but the cupboard remains quite stocked, thank you very much.
All-stater Omsberg is back. He’ll set the tone wherever he is on the field. Cekada will likely pick up much of the scoring slack. Mader is dangerous and seniors Jordan Luong and Max Ornstein hope to make names for themselves as well. The defense features honorable mention league all-star Morrissey and Caryl. Stanton, a second-team all-star last year,  returns in goal.
The quality of Western A continues to improve and this fall, the playoffs will include the one program that has exceeded Scarborough’s haul of gold in recent seasons, Falmouth. The Red Storm will get some tests during the regular season, starting with the opener Saturday against dangerous South Portland, but another high seed is a near certainty. If Scarborough can produce consistent offense, this season, like so many others of recent vintage, could end with a championship celebration.

GIRLS’ SOCCER
COACH: Mike Farley (ninth year, 106-17-8 overall record, two state championships
2012 Record: 16-1-1 (Beat Bangor, 2-1, in 2 OTs, to win Class A state championship)
TOP RETURNING PLAYERS: Ainsley Jamieson (Senior), Sydney Martin (Senior), Morgan Rodway (Senior), Hadlee Yescott (Senior), Ashley Gleason (Junior), Katherine Kirk (Junior), Sam Sparda (Junior)
PIVOTAL GAMES: Oct. 7 GORHAM, Oct. 9 DEERING, Oct. 16 WINDHAM, Oct. 18 @ Thornton Academy
COACH’S COMMENT: “I’m really looking forward to starting the year with this team. For the third year in a row, we’ve obviously lost a lot of impact players, but I’ve been very impressed with the way this year’s team has approached the summer and preseason. We should be very solid defensively. We have some players back who were key contributors last year and some players who have been waiting in the wings. With this group’s commitment to being strong defensively, we should be in every game. We have a couple midfielders who played forward here and there and we’re going to ask them to play more of a role scoring. We need to find ways to get more of our midfielders in scoring positions. Our hope is to start the season with a consistent level of play and try to be our best come playoff time. As usual, our opponents will give us their best every game and I know this team will embrace that pressure and rise to the challenge.”
THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: The program that not too long ago was criticized for not being able to win the big one, has won a lot of big ones the past three seasons, including state titles in 2010 and last year. The 2012 postseason will go down in program lore, as Scarborough dominated unbeaten host Thornton Academy in the semifinals, squeaked past Cape Elizabeth on a Sarah Martens goal in the regional final, then rallied to beat Bangor in an epic state game, as Martens struck again in the second overtime. The Red Storm will go for a repeat this fall and while 11 key players have departed the program (including all-stater and SMAA Student-Athlete of the Year Maria Philbrick), this group could be just as good.
Yescott is a top offensive threat. She had seven goals and three assists in 2012, third best on the team. She’ll see more time at forward than she has in the past. Gleason, Kirk, Rodway and Sparda (who tied the program record with 10 assists a year ago) will also be involved with the offense. Sophomores Aly Atherton and Mary Farnkoff and freshman Ashley Perriello are others who could be in the scoring mix. Jaimeson is the top returning defender. She’s a matchup nightmare for prospective goal scorers and was a first-team all-star and all-regional selection last season. She’ll be joined by sophomores Bryce Nitchman, Elise O’Reilly and Emma Smith. The Red Storm also has the luxury of returning a seasoned goalie in Martin (10 shutouts during an all-star season in 2012), who made some of the most clutch saves you’ll ever want to see on the biggest stage last fall. Senior MacKenzie O’Brien and sophomore Molly LeComte were also jockeying for playing time in the preseason.
Scarborough should have no trouble with most of its early foes. It’s October when the schedule gets brutal. In a 12-day span, the Red Storm hosts Gorham, Deering and Windham and plays at Thornton Academy. By then, the younger players should be up to speed, but that crucible will certainly get Scarborough ready for the postseason when oh yeah, three-time Class B champion Falmouth (now in A) will be one of the hurdles it will have to clear. The Red Storm hasn’t repeated since it played in Class B and was known as the Redskins back in 1998 and 1999. This could be the team to go back-to-back. Whatever happens, Scarborough will make it exciting.

FIELD HOCKEY
COACH: Kerry Mariello 12th year, 127-44-5 overall record, one state championship)
2012 Record: 17-1 (Lost, 3-0, to Skowhegan in Class A state final)
TOP RETURNING PLAYERS: Mikaela Coombs (Senior), Rachael Wallace (Senior), Maddie Dobecki (Junior), Abby Walker (Junior)
PIVOTAL GAMES: Sept. 4 @ Marshwood, Sept. 7 MASSABESIC, Sept. 26 WESTBROOK, Oct. 10 CHEVERUS
COACH’S COMMENT: “We graduated our entire defense and two goalies. We only have three returning starters. It’s definitely going to be a challenging season. There’s a lot of learning happening. Last year’s seniors helped develop these players, so it’s a matter of skills, game intensity and figuring it out. We’re always hoping to go as far as the season will take us.”
THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: The seasons have taken the Red Storm pretty far of late. Since 2006, Scarborough has won 103 games and three times played for the state title. That includes last season, when the Red Storm shut out 17 straight foes (setting a new record) before finally meeting its match at the hands of Skowhegan. That was a senior-laden squad whose departure leaves a lot of holes. Scarborough is ready to reload, not rebuild, however, and anyone choosing to write it off will be in for an unpleasant surprise.
This year’s offense will rely on Dobecki (who made the all-rookie team last fall), Walker, Wallace (an honorable mention league all-star last season) and senior Maggie Carbin to produce. Coombs has seen time on defense. Replacing goalie Shannon Hicks will be difficult. At press time, Mariello hadn’t decided on a starter (a sophomore and a freshman were in the mix). Three newcomers, juniors Kristen Murray and Kaitlin Prince and sophomore Anna Driscoll, will also strengthen the squad.
While there are several good teams in Western A, there isn’t a clear favorite, so the Red Storm will have time to get up to speed. An undefeated record and shutout streak isn’t likely this time around, but another winning record and high playoff seed is. Scarborough might just find itself back in the state final. It will just be a very different route than in recent years.

CROSS COUNTRY
BOYS COACH: Jim Harmon (16th year, six state championships)
GIRLS COACH: Ron Kelly (41st year, four state championships)
2012 Results:
(BOYS) 3rd @ Class A state meet
(GIRLS) 12th @ regionals (DNQ for states)
TOP RETURNING RUNNERS
BOYS: Matt Aceto (Senior), Alex Karam (Senior), Ian Morris (Senior), Maxim Doiron (Junior), Will Fowler (Junior), Sean McGovern (Junior), Jacob Terry (Junior), Andrew Sholl (Sophomore), Colin Tardiff (Sophomore)
GIRLS: Marisa Agger (Senior), Katy Beneman (Senior), Kelsey Given (Senior), Maria Quartararo (Junior), Emma Lynch (Sophomore), Morgan McKeown (Sophomore), Laura Volan (Sophomore)
TOP FOES: Massabesic boys; Bonny Eagle, Massabesic, South Portland girls
COACH HARMON’S COMMENT: “We should be one of the top teams by the end of the season, but only time will tell.”
COACH KELLY’S COMMENT: “We have a young team that should qualify for states after two years not making it. My top seven will be very competitive. We’re looking to be top five in the conference. Some newcomers and sophomores will be the key to the team’s success.”
THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: Scarborough’s cross country teams begin the 2013 season with high hopes.
The boys weren’t able to win a third straight title last fall, but that was likely an aberration. The Red Storm returns three state meet scorers, Tardiff (24th), Morris (27th) and Terry (30th). Terry made the all-conference team last season. Aceto, Doiron, Fowler, Karam, McGovern (24th at the regional meet a year ago) and Sholl all have experience. Junior Jacob Bloom, sophomore David Grover and freshman Sam Rusak are new to the team and provide depth. Scarborough is primed to be one of (if not the) best teams in the conference and even with some talented squads in its way, will be in the hunt for another state championship.
On the girls’ side, the Red Storm is ready to return to the state meet after falling short in 2012. Volan is the top scorer from last year (51st at the regional meet). Lynch (81st) and Quartararo (82nd) also scored at that meet. Agger, Beneman, Given and McKeown also return. New runners of note include freshman Marisa Carbone, sophomore Hope Corrow, freshman Maureen Degrinny and junior Mina Puig. There are several tough teams in the region, but it’s hard to imagine Scarborough falling short of qualifying for states again. Once there, this group could be a top contender.

GOLF
COACH: Mike Murphy (25th year)
2012 Results: 8-2 (8th @ Class A state match)
TOP RETURNING PLAYERS: Matt Hartl (Senior), Matt McAlary (Senior), Colby Whitaker (Senior)
TOP FOES: Cheverus, Falmouth
COACH’S COMMENT: “We graduated our top three very good players. We’ll battle to get to states. I like the kids I have. Look for the returners to step up and play a bigger role. I’m optimistic that we can challenge.”
THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: Scarborough has held its own in a very tough division and despite having to reload, will be in the hunt this fall. Brendan Hall, Kyle Parrott and Hunter Sackville will be missed, but returning are league all-star Hartl, McAlary (87 at states last fall) and Whitaker. New sophomores Drew Kane and Mitchell Wedge show promise. Senior Nick Suchecki and juniors Braeden Kane and Chandler Langlois will be in the hunt for a top spot on the team as well.
Cheverus and Falmouth are formidable foes, but the Red Storm should once again post a winning record and has a very good chance of quailfying for the state meet. Some individuals stand to make some noise as well in the weeks to come.  

VOLLEYBALL
COACH: Jon Roberts (fourth year, 32-16 overall record)
2012 Results: 11-5 (Lost, 3-2, to Greely in Class A semifinals)
TOP RETURNERS: Mary Cleary (Senior), Natalie Foster (Senior), Courtney Given (Senior), Amy Gubrud (Senior), Abby Mills (Senior), Hallie O’Donnell (Senior), Lauren Piper (Senior), Erin Quirk (Senior), Kayla Savage (Junior)
PIVOTAL MATCHES: Sept. 12 @ Greely, Sept. 16 GORHAM, Sept. 18 @ Biddeford, Oct. 1 GREELY, Oct. 8 @ Falmouth, Oct. 15 BIDDEFORD, Oct. 17 @ Gorham, Oct. 21 FALMOUTH 
COACH’S COMMENT: “We’re very excited about this year’s team. We return a lot of experienced players who have had good runs in the state tournament. We will be a much more balanced and exciting offense with a group of seasoned veterans. The biggest challenge will be to fill the void in our passing game. We play the high level teams twice this season, so look for some great volleyball coming up.”
THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: Scarborough has played some great volleyball in recent seasons and almost downed eventual champion Greely in a thrilling semifinal before bowing out. This fall, the Red Storm won’t settle for anything short of a title run and the preseason buzz holds that this squad is worthy of such lofty goals.
The offense is led by O’Donnell and Piper (an honorable mention all-state player in 2012). Cleary (a reigning all-state player) led the squad in kills a year ago and could dominate from her middle hitter position. Foster, Gubrud, Mills and Savage are also top hitters with experience. Given and Quirk hope to replace libero Lily Lemire, who was on the all-state team last fall.
Scarborough appears to have the pieces in place to produce greatness. After coming so close the past couple years, the Red Storm might be the best squad this time around. We’ll have fun watching this team chase a title.

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

Senior Ben Greenberg will take over at quarterback for Scarborough this season.

Senior Kenny Adams will help pace the Red Storm’s ground game.

Senior Dan LeClair rushed for over 500 yards a year ago and will play a pivotal role again as Scarborough chases a playoff spot.

Senior Chris Cyr will be a top receiving target.

Senior Mike Caryl is a key defensive returner for Scarborough.

Senior Sam Cekada could be a top scorer for the Red Storm this fall.

Senior Charlie Mader will patrol the midfield for the Red Storm and will do his share of goalscoring as well.

Senior defender Andrew Morrissey is always around the ball.

Senior Wyatt Omsberg is a reigning all-state selection and could be one of the best players around this fall.

Senior Sydney Martin, who made so many big saves a year ago, is back in goal for the defending champs this autumn.

Junior Ashley Gleason will be in the middle of a lot of goalscoring in the weeks to come.

Junior Katherine Kirk will be heard from all over the field.

Junior Maddie Dobecki made the SMAA All-Rookie team a year ago and looks to play a key role as Scarborough seeks a return trip to the state final.

Junior Abby Walker should be a top scoring threat for the Red Storm.

Look for junior Kaitlin Prince to play a bigger role for the Red Storm this season.

Senior Ian Morris placed 27th at the Class A state meet last season.

Junior Jacob Terry placed 30th at the Class A meet in 2012.

Sophomore Laura Volan is the top returning runner for the Red Storm.

Senior Marisa Agger is a key veteran for a Scarborough team seeking to get to the state meet.

Senior Mary Cleary is a returning all-state player for a Scarborough volleyball team viewed by some as the team to beat this fall.

Senior Hallie O’Donnell is one of the state’s top setters.

Senior Lauren Piper is another top setter. She was an all-state honorable mention in 2012.

2013 schedules

FOOTBALL
Fri., Sept. 6 @ Sanford
Fri., Sept. 13 H BANGOR
Fri., Sept. 20 @ TA
Fri., Sept. 27 @ Bonny Eagle
Sat., Oct. 5 H BIDDEFORD
Fri., Oct. 11 H SP
Fri., Oct. 18 @ Massabesic
Fri., Oct. 25 H NOBLE

BOYS’ SOCCER
Sat,. Sept. 7 H SP
Tues., Sept. 10 H PORTLAND
Thurs., Sept. 12 @ Biddeford
Tues., Sept. 17 @ Marshwood
Thurs., Sept. 19 H SANFORD
Tues., Sept. 24 H NOBLE
Sat., Sept. 28 @ Cheverus
Tues., Oct. 1 H MASSABESIC
Thurs., Oct. 3 @ Gorham
Tues., Oct. 8 @ Deering
Sat., Oct. 12 H WESTBROOK
Tues., Oct. 15 @ Windham
Thurs., Oct. 17 H TA
Tues., Oct. 22 @ Bonny Eagle

GIRLS’ SOCCER
Sat., Sept. 7 H SP
Mon., Sept. 9 @ Portland
Sat., Sept. 14 H BIDDEFORD
Wed., Sept. 18 H MARSHWOOD
Sat., Sept. 21 @ Sanford
Wed., Sept. 25 @ Noble
Sat., Sept. 28 H MCAULEY
Wed., Oct. 2 @ Massabesic
Mon., Oct. 7 H GORHAM
Wed., Oct. 9 H DEERING
Fri., Oct. 11 @ Westbrook
Wed., Oct. 16 H WINDHAM
Fri., Oct. 18 @ TA
Wed., Oct. 23 @ Bonny Eagle

FIELD HOCKEY
Wed., Sept. 4 @ Marshwood
Sat., Sept. 7 H MASSABESIC
Tues., Sept. 10 @ Noble
Thurs., Sept. 12 H PORTLAND
Mon., Sept. 16 H SANFORD
Wed,. Sept. 18 @ Windham
Sat., Sept. 21 H SP
Tues., Sept. 24 @ TA
Thurs., Sept. 26 H WESTBROOK
Wed., Oct. 2 @ Biddeford
Fri., Oct. 4 H BONNY EAGLE
Tues., Oct. 8 @ McAuley
Thurs., Oct. 10 H CHEVERUS
Wed., Oct. 16 @ Deering

BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY
Fri., Sept. 13 @ Portland (Bidd, Mass)
Fri., Sept. 20 @ Westbrook (Chev, Sanford)
Fri., Sept. 27 @ Marshwood (Deer, TA)
Sat., Oct. 5 @ Festival of Champions
Fri., Oct. 11 H NOBLE, SP
Fri., Oct. 18 @ Windham (BE, Gorham)
Sat., Oct. 26 @ Western A Regionals
Sat., Nov. 2 @ Class A States

GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY
Fri., Sept. 13 @ Portland (Bidd, Mass)
Fri., Sept. 20 @ Westbrook (Chev, Sanford)
Fri., Sept. 27 @ Marshwood (Deer, TA)
Sat., Oct. 5 @ Festival of Champions
Fri., Oct. 11 H MCA, NOBLE, SP
Fri., Oct. 18 @ Windham (BE, Gorham)
Sat., Oct. 26 @ Western A Regionals
Sat., Nov. 2 @ Class A States

GOLF
Wed., Sept. 4 H CHEVERUS
Tues., Sept. 9 @ SP
Thurs., Sept. 11 @ Deering
Tues., Sept. 16 H PORTLAND
Thurs., Sept 18 H FALMOUTH
Tues., Sept. 23 H CHEVERUS
Thurs., Sept. 25 H SP
Sat., Sept. 27 H DEERING
Tues., Oct. 1 @ Portland
Thurs., Oct. 3 @ Falmouth

VOLLEYBALL
Fri., Sept. 6 H TA
Tues., Sept. 10 H CONY
Thurs., Sept. 12 @ Greely
Mon., Sept. 16 H GORHAM
Wed., Sept. 18 @ Biddeford
Wed., Sept. 25 H LAKE REGION
Fri., Sept. 27 @ SP
Tues., Oct. 1 H GREELY
Thurs., Oct. 3 @ Kennebunk
Tues., Oct. 8 @ Falmouth
Thurs., Oct. 10 @ Windham
Tues., Oct. 15 H BIDDEFORD
Thurs., Oct. 17 @ Gorham
Mon., Oct. 21 H FALMOUTH

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Scarborough’s girls’ soccer team got to celebrate last and loudest in 2012, beating Bangor in double overtime in the Class A state final. Now, the Red Storm looks to repeat and you have to like its chances.

More photos below.

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