Local football, soccer, field hockey, cross-country and golf teams were very busy over the past week and each school had something to get excited about.

Here’s a glimpse at what you might have missed:

Football

Brunswick’s football team has recovered from its agonizing Opening Night loss to Bangor with successive impressive wins. Last Friday, the host Dragons had their way with highly touted Lewiston by a stunning 50-12 margin.

Jordan Rysdam ran for 158 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries as the Dragons scored on all five first-half possessions. With four teams eligible for the playoffs this year, Friday night’s game was seen as a turning point for both teams’ playoff hopes.

“We didn’t want to be the odd man out with two losses with the teams that we have left to play,” Brunswick coach Dan Cooper said. “This puts us one step closer to playoff contention.”

Brunswick averaged 9.4 yards per carry while piling up 311 yards and 16 first downs rushing in the first half, which ended with a Dragons’ lead of 34-0.

With standout Dylan Walton on the sidelines nursing an ankle injury suffered last week, Rysdam, who replaced an injured Walton for much of last year, gashed the Devils for 98 yards in the first quarter.

“He did it all last year, too,” Cooper said. “He damn near got a thousand yards last year. We didn’t lose a whole lot there having him ready to go.”

“You could drive a truck through those holes,” said Rysdam. “That’s my favorite expression. The line did a great job, picked up all their blocks, and that just led to our success on the first drive and drives to come.”

The Dragons host 1-2 Edward Little Friday.

Mt. Ararat is still seeking its first victory after Saturday’s 40-6 loss at Cony. The Eagles are at undefeated powerhouse Lawrence Friday night.

In Class B, Morse dropped to 1-2 after a 50-24 home loss to two-time defending regional champion Leavitt last weekend. The Shipbuilders go to Waterville Saturday.

Boys’ soccer

As of Tuesday morning, Mt. Ararat’s boys’ soccer team was leading the Eastern Class A Heal Points standings with a 4-0-1 record. The Eagles were shutout winners at Brewer (4-0) and Edward Little (1-0) in recent games. Mt. Ararat hosted Lawrence Tuesday, welcomes Skowhegan Friday and go to Mt. Blue Tuesday of next week.

Brunswick downed visiting Edward Little, 5-0, lost, 2-0, at Lewiston, then blanked visiting Cony, 9-0, last week to improve to 3-1-2 (good for sixth in Eastern A). After hosting Brewer Tuesday, the Dragons have a showdown at defending Class A champion Bangor Friday and visit Messalonskee Tuesday of next week.

In Western B, Morse began the week 4-1 and third in the Heals behind York and Falmouth. The Shipbuilders downed visiting Mt. View (2-1) and host Gardiner (1-0) last week. Max Rawson had the lone goal against the Tigers and Grady Madden had his third shutout of the year.

“We don’t make things easy on ourselves, but this was a good win on the road and we’re looking forward to being home next week,” said Morse coach Tom Rackmales.

The Shipbuilders hosted Oceanside Tuesday, welcome Gardiner Friday and go to Camden Hills Tuesday of next week.

Girls’ soccer

Morse’s girls’ soccer team is dazzling in its first season in Western Class B, leading the Heal Points standings with a 5-0 record. Last week, the Shipbuilders downed host Mt. View and Gardiner by 9-0 scores. Tori Field had five goals and Katie Henrikson two against the Mustangs. Field scored four times and Henrikson three versus the Tigers. Morse was at Oceanside Tuesday, hosts Gardiner Friday and welcomes Camden Hills Tuesday of next week.

In Eastern A, Brunswick leads the Heal Points at 6-0 after wins last week over host Edward Little (3-0), visiting Lewiston (8-0) and host Cony (7-0). So far this season, the Dragons have outscored the opposition, 27-1. Brunswick went to Brewer Tuesday, faces a big home showdown with Bangor Saturday and welcomes Messalonskee Tuesday of next week.

Mt. Ararat is 3-1-1 and eighth in Eastern A. After tying host Oxford Hills, 1-1, last Tuesday (Chelsea Crawford had the Eagles’ goal), Mt. Ararat was a 2-0 home winner over Brewer (thanks to goals from Zoe Bradshaw and Sonja Robert) and a 2-1 overtime winner over visiting Edward Little Monday (Sydni Clark’s goal tied the game in the second half and Haley Michaud delivered the winner in the second OT). The Eagles went to Lawrence Tuesday, visit Skowhegan Friday and play host to Mt. Blue Tuesday of next week.

Field hockey

Each local field hockey team started the week seeking its initial victory.

Mt. Ararat was eighth in the latest Eastern A Heals with an 0-2-4 mark after a 3-1 loss at Brewer and a 1-1 home tie versus Cony in recent action. The Eagles went to Oxford Hills Tuesday and hosted Messalonskee Thursday. Saturday, they play at Lawrence. Tuesday of next week, Hampden Academy pays a visit.

Brunswick dropped to 0-5-1 (and 11th in the region) after 1-0 home losses last week to Oxford Hills and Lewiston. The Dragons were home with Edward Little Tuesday, visited Brewer Thursday, play at Hampden Academy Saturday and host Bangor Tuesday of next week.

In Western B, Morse dropped to 0-6 (14th in the standings) after Saturday’s 6-1 setback at Belfast. The Shipbuilders were at Maranacook Tuesday, hosted Oceanside Thursday, play at Camden Hills Saturday and welcome Erskine Tuesday of next week.

Cross country

Mt. Ararat hosted Brunswick, Cony and Morse in a cross-country meet last weekend.

In the boys’ competition, the Eagles were first, the Dragons second and the Shipbuilders third. Individually, Mt. Ararat’s Andy Reifman-Packett was tops in 17 minutes, 34 seconds. Brunswick was paced by runner-up Jamie Ross (18:07). Morse’s top finisher was Ben Wright (eighth, 19:40).

The girls’ teams finished in the same order. Individually, Brunswick’s Teresa Murphy was first (21:50). The Eagles (ranked sixth in the latest coaches’ poll) were led by runner-up Kelly Lynch (21:55). The Shipbuilders’ top finisher was Amy Franklin (fifth, 22:00).

Brunswick hosted Morse, Mt. Ararat and Mt. Blue Thursday and Morse welcomes Brunswick, Mt. Ararat and Oceanside for a meet Thursday of next week.

Golf

The golf regular season is nearing its close.

Brunswick improved to 8-0 Monday with a 7-2 win at Oxford Hills. The Dragons hosted Cony Wednesday and wrap up the regular year at home versus Mt. Ararat Friday.

The Eagles began the week 3-2. They hosted Edward Little Wednesday and go to Brunswick Friday.

Morse took a 1-6 mark into Wednesday’s match at Lewiston. The Shipbuilders (6.5-2.5 home winners over Cony Monday) close at Gardiner Friday.

The KVAC state qualifier is Oct. 4.

Sun Journal staff writer Randy Whitehouse contributed to this story.

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Brunswick defender Sarah Thibeault drives past Oxford Hills’ Heather Verrier during the teams’ matchup last week which resulted in a 1-0 win for Oxford Hills.

Brunswick’s Lillian Kjellman winces as the ball hits her stick. The Dragons entered the week 0-5-1.

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