Eight cooperative teams will skate in high school hockey this season – Gray-New Gloucester/Poland, Lisbon/OakHill, Fryeburg/Lake Region, Marshwood/Traip Academy, Massabesic/Old Orchard Beach, Houlton/Hodgdon, Hall-Dale/Winthrop and Maranacook/Monmouth.

One would think it would be difficult to bring players from two schools together, but players from Massabesic/Old Orchard Beach believe otherwise.

"We've played together since junior high and youth hockey," said Dominic Parent, whose team has two players from Old Orchard Beach. "We're a pretty accepting group and we're not picky about who's playing on the team."

The Gorham ice hockey team is getting used to one surname – Gushee. David Gushee, a junior center for the Rams, prepares for his third season with the team, continuing a family tradition.

"This is my seventh year with a Gushee," Gorham Coach Eric Wales said.

Preseason tournament time, that is.

Cheverus High School will host its fifth annual Thanksgiving tournament Friday and Saturday at three sites – the Portland Ice Arena, the Cumberland County Civic Center and the Travis Roy Arena in Yarmouth. 12 boys and girls teams from Maine, New Hampshire and Canada will compete in the exhibition tournament.

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With the holiday approaching, the blog will go on hiatus for a few days. Happy Thanskgiving, everyone!

The Gorham girls soccer team finished the season ranked sixth in the final National Soccer Coaches Association of America/adidas national rankings.

The Rams are tied for sixth with Eastlake of Sammamish, Wash., in the season-ending national top 25 poll. The Rams won their third Class A championship Nov. 7 with a 2-1 win over Waterville.

Now that I'm all thawed out after a day of covering the high school football championships, it's time to start a new season.

Practices for winter sports - basketball, ice hockey, skiing, swimming, indoor track and wrestling – start today but two football games remain.

Deering and Portland play Thursday morning at Fitzpatrick Stadium in the annual Thanksgiving Day game. Gardiner, the Class B champion, faces Cony on Friday in another one of the state's biggest rivalries.

Bonny Eagle finished the season ranked in MaxPreps.com's national high school football poll. The Scots, who defeated Lawrence 34-14 for the Class A championship, are ranked No. 37 in the nation.

FINAL: GARDINER 21, MOUNTAIN VALLEY 14

Gardiner wins its first Class B championship since 1985. Read all about it in the Maine Sunday Telegram.

Fourth quarter

After missing a 38-yard field goal attempt, Stilphen intercepted Brennick and returned the ball for a 39-yard touchdown return at 8:07. Stilphen's kick gave the Tigers a 21-6 lead.

Aided by 20 yards in penalties, Mountain Valley got down to the Gardiner 1 on 10 plays but on fourth down but Staires was stopped behind the line of scrimmage, turning the ball over to Gardiner with 4:06 left.

Switched to quarterback late in the game, Staires scored with 56.5 seconds left to cut Gardiner's lead to 21-12, and Staires completed the two-point conversion to Derek Sicotte

Gardiner 21-14.

Third quarter

Justin Staires went from sideline to sideline en route to scoring Mountain Valley's first touchdown, a 32-yard run at 5:31. Staires popped up from what appeared to be a tackle around the 30-yard line, near the Gardiner sideline, then ran the width of the field before running past a diving Bass Chadwick and into the end zone. Gardiner 14-6.

First half

Gardiner 14, Mountain Valley 0

Kickoff came at 6:21 - more than 20 minutes after the scheduled start time.

While the Tigers managed only two touchdowns – Nick Jamison's 9-yard run and Brad Carleton's 10-yard run both in the first quarter – Gardiner maximized about 11 minutes of possession, including a 16-play possession that lasted five minutes and 29 seconds.

The Tigers also made two key defensive stops on the Falcons – stopping Justin Staires well short of a first down at the Tigers 9 and Chadwick's interception of Keith Brennick in the end zone with two minutes left in the half.

Carleton leads all rushers with 78 yards on eight carries. Justin Staires is Mountain Valley's leading rusher with 27 yards on 10 carries.

Summary

First quarter
G – Nick Jamison 9 run (Kyle Stilphen kick) 5:37
G – Brad Carleton 10 run (Stilphen kick) 1:49

Third quarter
MV - Justin Staires 32 run (kick failed) 5:31

Fourth quarter
G - Stilphen 39 interception return (Stilphen kick) 8:07
MV- Staires 1 run (Sicotte pass from Staires) 0:56

Looks like the Lone Wolf Documentary Group is on the scene here at Fitzpatrick Stadium. The South Portland production company is filming footage of Mountain Valley for "Rivals," a movie that will portray the football rivalry between the Falcons and Cape Elizabeth.

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Five Gardiner players were cleared to play in tonight's Class B championship after testing negative for MRSA, a drug-resistant staph infection.

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If you traveled south on Interstate 295 earlier today, you took the designated "Tiger Trail." Gardiner faithful placed black-and-orange signs cheering on the Tigers along the side of the highway, from the toll station to the Fitzpatrick Stadium exit.

There's about 43 minutes left on the clock during pregame, but expect the Class B championship to begin around 6:10 p.m. - that's the word from MPA Executive Director Dick Durost here at Fitzpatrick Stadium.

I'll come back with an update of the Mountain Valley-Gardiner game at halftime. Stay warm, kids.

FINAL: FOXCROFT ACADEMY 26, BOOTHBAY REGION 8

Jason Gould scored three touchdowns as Foxcroft won its first Class C championship since 2003.

Rushing:
Jerrod Rideout, Foxcroft Academy - 76 yards on 16 carries
Tim Stover, Boothbay Region - 93 yards on 18 carries

Receiving:
Jason Gould, Foxcroft Academy - 70 yards on four receptions
Kris Noonan, Boothbay Region - 51 yards on four receptions

Passing:
Jamie Nason, Foxcroft Academy - 5-9-0, 76 yards
Sam Cook, Boothbay Region - 5-11-1, 66 yards

Summary

First quarter
FA - Gould 19 pass from Nason (kick failed), 5:54.

Second quarter
FA - Adkins 43 run (kick failed) 10:07
FA - Gould 29 pass from Nason (Witham run) 5:34
BR - McDuff 5 run (Stover run) 3:19

Third quarter
FA - Gould 12 pass from Nason (pass failed) 3:30

Fourth quarter

On fourth and 9 from the Boothbay 38, Dylan Brandt's 14-yard pass to Kris Noonan extended Boothbay's drive but the mistakes have added up for the Seahawks. Boothbay reached the Foxcroft 48 but took three penalties for 15 yards and punted away with 4:10 left.

Third quarter

Early in the third, Boothbay has begun to exhibit one of the philosophies - timing - of the double-wing offense. On its first drive, the Seahawks went 37 yards on 13 plays, reaching the Foxcroft 37 and chewing up nearly five minutes to open the second half.

But the Seahawks turned over the ball on downs as Kris Noonan was flagged for offensive pass interference, attempting to catch quarterback Sam Cook's pass on fourth-and-6.

The penalty placed the Ponies at the Boothbay 48 and started Foxcroft's fourth scoring drive. Gould scored his third touchdown with 3:30 left in the third, a 12-yard reception from Nason. Foxcroft 26-8.

Halftime: Foxcroft Academy 20, Boothbay Region 8

Foxcroft Academy has outgained Boothbay 229-98 in rushing and passing and the Ponies have no shortage of options when it comes to creating offense. Six different players have carried the ball for Foxcroft and Jerrod Rideout leads the Ponies with 58 yards on eight carries.

Stover leads Boothbay with 45 yards on eight carries.

Second quarter

Less than two minutes into the quarter, Shane Adkins gave the Ponies a 12-0 lead on a 43-yard touchdown run. But Brandon Gourley missed his second point-after kick attempt.

Ian Champeon's interception of Seahawks quarterback Sam Cook set up Foxcroft's third scoring drive. Nason's 29-yard touchdown pass to Gould, followed by Wade Witham's 2-point conversion run at 5:34, gave the Ponies a 20-0 lead.

Champeon had three carries for 38 yards in the drive, including a 26-yard carry.

Sam McDuff scored Boothbay's first touchdown on a 5-yard run with 3:19 left in the half, and Tim Stover completed the 2-point conversion run. 20-8 Foxcroft Academy.

First quarter

Foxcroft made the most of the opening possession, chewing up more than six minutes on 14 plays to take a 6-0 lead on Jamie Nason's 19-yard touchdown pass to Jason Gould.

Foxcroft kept Boothbay to one drive in the first quarter, and the Seahawks gained only 35 yards to Foxcroft's 83.

The Class C championship game between Foxcroft Academy and Boothbay Region will start later than scheduled, as about 28 minutes remain on the clock here at Fitzpatrick Stadium.

In case you missed it, Bonny Eagle defeated Lawrence 34-14 for its third Class A championship in four years.

FINAL: BONNY EAGLE 34, LAWRENCE 14

Bonny Eagle wins its third Class A championship in four years, defeating Lawrence, the 2006 Class A champion. The Scots completed a 12-0 season and ended Lawrence’s 22-game winning streak.

Leading rushers:
Nate Doehler, Bonny Eagle - 20 carries for 136 yards
Devon Costigan, Lawrence - 14 carries for 111 yards

Leading receivers:
Isaiah Underwood, Lawrence - one reception for 11 yards
Ricky Hoyt, Bonny Eagle - one reception for 81 yards

Passing: Doehler, Bonny Eagle - 5-12-2, 161 yards
Jack Hersom, Lawrence - 1-13-3, 11 yards

Final summary

First quarter
BE - Doehler 38 run (Doehler kick) 6:49
BE - Ruby 7 run (pass failed) 1:22

Second quarter
BE - Doehler 29 run (Doehler kick) 10:08
BE- Hoyt 81 pass from Doehler (Doehler kick) 2:39

Third quarter
L-Devon Costigan 1 run (Jeshua Dearborn kick) 5:28

Fourth quarter
L – John Flynn 18 pass from Jack Hersom (Dearborn kick) 5:33

BE – Josh Ruby 9 run (Doehler kick) 3:17

Fourth quarter

The Scots stopped Lawrence's first drive of the fourth, intercepting Hersom on second-and-8 from the 14 at 8:10, but on the first play of the ensuing drive, the Bulldogs recovered a fumble at the Scots 35, setting up Lawrence's second touchdown drive. On fourth-and-6 from the Scots 18, Hersom connected with John Flynn for the Bulldogs' second touchdown, followed by Dearborn's point-after kick with 5:33 left.

Bonny Eagle 27-14

Josh Ruby has just about put away the game, scoring on a 9-yard run with 3:17 left, followed by Doehler's point-after kick.

Bonny Eagle 34-14

Third quarter

Less than two minutes into the half, Lawrence's Matt Perkins intercepted Doehler, setting up the Bulldogs at the Scots 31. It's Lawrence's first possession inside the Bonny Eagle 30. However, Hoyt intercepted Hersom at the 4, cutting off intended receiver Nick Nelson and ending Lawrence's first scoring threat.

But wait! On Bonny Eagle's second play, Nick Lee intercepted Doehler, giving the ball back to Lawrence at the Bonny Eagle 15 four minutes into the half. The turnover set up Devon Costigan's 1-yard touchdown run, followed by Jeshua Dearborn's kick at 5:28.

Defensive adjustments by Lawrence paid off as the Bulldogs intercepted Doehler three times and gave up only 62 yards to the Scots in the third quarter.

Bonny Eagle 27-7

Halftime

Bonny Eagle 27, Lawrence 0

Lawrence has managed only 33 yards in the second quarter, with the longest carry being Devon Costigan's 18-yard carry ... which was fumbled at the Scots 39 with 1:28 left to set up Bonny Eagle's final drive of the half.

Doehler leads Bonny Eagle with 138 yards passing and 94 yards rushing on 10 carries.

Hersom has been ineffective so far, with just one completion on eight attempts in the first half.

Summary

First quarter
BE - Doehler 38 run (Doehler kick) 6:49
BE - Ruby 7 run (pass failed) 1:22

Second quarter
BE - Doehler 29 run (Doehler kick) 10:08
BE- Hoyt 81 pass from Doehler (Doehler kick) 2:39

Second quarter

Doehler again, this time on defense. On the Bulldogs' first play of the quarter, Doehler intercepted Lawrence quarterback Jack Hersom and returned the ball to the Bulldogs 35-yard line. Bonny Eagle needed just three plays before Doehler scored on a 29-yard touchdown run at 10:08, following with the extra point. Bonny Eagle, 20-0.

Lawrence was unable to get its first first down of the quarter until 5:31, when the Scots were unable to convert on fourth-and-3 from their own 39 as Doehler's pass fell incomplete.

Doehler connected with Ricky Hoyt on third-and-12 for an 81-yard touchdown with 2:39 left in the half, with Doehler kicking the extra point. Bonny Eagle 27-0.

First quarter

Scots quarterback Nate Doehler had a hand in every play of Bonny Eagle's first drive - a six-play, 69-yard drive that ended with Doehler's 38-yard touchdown run at 6:49. Doehler kicked the extra point to give the Scots a 7-0 lead.

Less than six minutes later, Josh Ruby's seven-yard touchdown run gave the Scots a 13-0 lead - Doehler was stopped on the 2-point conversion attempt, after catching Ruby's pass.

The Scots defense so far has provided Doehler ample support. Bonny Eagle has allowed Lawrence just 20 yards, including five carries for either no yardage or negative yardage.

Pregaming ...

It's about 15 minutes before kickoff between Lawrence and Bonny Eagle, and Lawrence is walking off the field for a final pregame meeting in the locker room. Bonny Eagle, meanwhile is in its final walkthrough.

I'll be updating the bloggy-blog after each quarter. If you've got questions or comments, fill out the form at the bottom of the entry or shoot me an e-mail at rlenzi@pressherald.com.

Boothbay Region is one of a handful of high schools in Maine to use the double-wing offense.

While some accounts date the double wing offense back to the early 1900s, Don Markham is considered the “godfather” of the modern offensive scheme in football.

Wednesday marked the first day of the early signing period for the National Letter of Intent, which runs through Nov. 21. It's the first window for high school seniors to make a formal commitment to play sports at one college or university.

The future already looks bright for the Bonny Eagle football team, which will play Lawrence next week for its third Class A title.

When Marshwood meets Bonny Eagle at 1 p.m. Saturday for the Western Class A football championship in Standish, it will be the first time in more than eight years the two teams have met - the Scots defeated the Hawks 26-12 in South Berwick on Oct. 7, 2000.

Kevin Cooper was in his third year as head coach of the Scots while Guy Lajeunesse coached the Hawks. Lajeunesse, by the way, is now an assistant for Bill Manchester at Marshwood.

The Marshwood football team opened the Western Class A playoffs with a 14-7 win over No. 3 Massabesic, then defeated No. 2 Thornton Academy 21-7 last week. Saturday, the No. 6 Hawks will face No. 1 Bonny Eagle for the regional championship.

"Week to week, it's just another step every where we go," Marshwood linebacker Alex St. Pierre said. "A big step. We have to step up every week."

After a 2-0 win over Sanford for the Class A field hockey championship, Skowhegan Coach Paula Doughty put her team's seventh consecutive title in perspective.

Two potential Fitzpatrick Trophy candidates to watch this weekend:

Robbie Trask, Thornton Academy: Trask may not put up big numbers, but the Thornton senior has a knack for rising to the occasion. In a 28-6 win over Biddeford last week, Trask scored two touchdowns – one on a 55-yard run.

Jon Hussey, Marshwood: Hussey had 221 yards on 33 carries and scored a touchdown in the Hawks' 14-7 win at Massabesic. Hussey also made a key defensive play in the final seconds of the game to help the Hawks secure the win.

There may be plenty of debate surrounding the decision to disqualify two Massabesic runners from the state cross country championships, but the National Federation of State High School Associations uses Rule 4-5-8 as an example in its 2007 Track and Field and Cross Country Rules Interpretations.