George Stevens Academy’s Ethan Vinall races for a ball during an October 1 home game against Elsworth. By Anne Berleant
Blue Hill—With an 8-4 record before back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday, the George Stevens Academy varsity boys team is a lock for the playoffs but sits in the lower half of the 10-team playoff field in Class C North.
To finish the regular season, they will take on two teams that are ranked just below #1 Fort Kent in the Heal Point Standings, Orono on Friday and Houlton on Saturday, teams that have bested the Eagles this season.
If the Eagles can pull off a win, it will mean a boost in points that determine the final standings and playoff positions.
“It’s nice to end the season with games worth a lot of points so that we have some control over where we finish in the standings,” Coach Mark Ensworth said. “You have to beat good teams.”
GSA’s rivalry with Orono on the soccer field is deep, with close games in the regular season and one team usually knocking out the other in the playoffs. Playing in Orono three weeks ago, GSA lost 2-5 but in Friday’s game, the Eagles will have home field advantage and a few more games and practices behind them. Their loss at Houlton was a close 2-1, so a home crowd might help edge out a win on Saturday.
“The guys have a bit of a chip on their shoulder as we have come up short on some of these games so far this year,” Ensworth said. “It will be a fun finish.”
GSA vs. Orono: Friday, 4 p.m.
GSA vs. Houlton: Saturday, 2:30 p.m.