Who needs a win, and more Week 6 high school football storylines
Maine high‑school football sees Week 6 packed with brink‑to‑brilliance matchups
Sept. 24, 2026 – With a full slate of games scheduled for the final week of the regular season, several Maine schools find themselves fighting for playoff hope, while an increasing number of Thursday night contests give a spotlight to the state’s growing football talent.
Cheverus struggles to regain footing
The Cheverus Stags entered the season as a Class B contender, but a surprising defeat by Gorham on Saturday pushed them to a 1‑4 record and last place in the standings. Coach Mike Bowers says the team is “determined to turn it around,” but the path is narrow. The Stags face Marshwood, who sit at 5‑0, on Friday. If they lose, Cheverus will need victories over Deering or Biddeford in the remaining two weeks to keep any playoff chance alive.
York and Belfast fight for Class C survival
York Wildcats (1‑4) sit ninth in a statewide Class C field that will send eight teams to the playoffs. They will test their mettle against Oak Hill (1‑4), a Class D South squad that could pull them into the playoff bracket with a win. Belfast Raiders (also 1‑4) are one spot behind Oak Hill; a defeat for the Raiders could let the Lions leap forward after a win over Madison.
Eight‑man battle for Houlton and Waterville
In eight‑man football, Waterville Purple Panthers (1‑4) travel to Houlton Shiretowners (0‑5). With both teams carrying difficult schedules into the final stretch, the winner may secure the No. 4 seed in the North division, while the loser faces a perilous path to the playoffs.
Class A teams with breathing room
South Portland Red Riots (3‑2) still have a window for postseason play. The Red Riots will host Massabesic Mustangs (4‑1) on Friday, or travel to Noble (2‑3) next week, in a bid to climb above fifth place in the South division.
Thursday night football: A growing tradition
This week’s schedule features five Thursday‑night games, the most since the 2026 opening slate. Highlights include:
- Wells Warriors (3‑2) vs. Freeport Falcons (4‑1)
- Camden Hills Windjammers (1‑4) vs. Cony Rams (4‑1)
- Brewer Witches (1‑4) vs. Hermon Hawks (5‑0)
- Poland Knights (1‑4) vs. Morse Shipbuilders (3‑2)
- Traip Rangers (1‑4) vs. Old Orchard Beach Seagulls (5‑0)
According to the Maine Principals’ Association, 18 regular‑season high‑school games will be played on Thursdays this year, up from 12 in 2025, 13 in 2024, and only six in 2023.
Dean Plante, head coach of Old Orchard Beach and a member of the Maine Principals’ Association Football Committee, attributes the trend to two factors. “There’s an officiating shortage, but when OOB got permission to open the 2019 season on a Thursday against Telstar, it started a tradition,” he explained. “We wanted to showcase eight‑man by having it as the first game of the season, and it kind of took off. I think it’s cool; you get to be one of the only games — maybe the only game — and that gets a little exposure for the kids.”
Cony Rams coach B.L. Lippert noted that the Maine Association of Football Officials asked his team to shift a game to Thursday night because of the referee shortage. “I don’t know specifically how dire the shortage is, but it seems like that’s obviously an issue,” Lippert said. “It might not be 50‑50 Thursday‑Friday, but there might be 10 Thursday games a week next year, is what I’ve heard.”
Rising programs to watch
The past season’s under‑the‑radar teams are now carving out impressive records:
- Massabesic Mustangs, Biddeford Tigers, and Maine Central Institute (MCI) Huskies all stand at 4‑1.
- Cape Elizabeth Capers and Lisbon Greyhounds sit at 3‑2.
- MCI—once 2‑7—has secured a top‑six finish in the Big 11 Conference and will host defending Class D North champions Winslow (4‑1) this week.
- Massabesic will travel to South Portland (4‑1), while Cape Elizabeth heads north to face Spruce Mountain (3‑2) and Biddeford to Skowhegan (3‑2). Lisbon will host Mattanawcook Academy (2‑3).
These matchups promise to test whether the early‑season momentum can carry these squads into the playoffs or spark a new narrative for the season.
