FOOTBALL

Coach: David Turner       

Assistant Coaches: David Jones, Gio Difazio, Bob Pulito, Brian Turner

Returning players: Gunnar Saunders – Senior; Cohen Carter – Senior; Holden Edenbach – Junior; Michael Malia – Junior; Emerson Hall – Senior; Jagger Helwig – Junior; Seamus Mason - Junior

Top Newcomers: The Raiders have several new faces that will add depth to the team.

Player to Watch: Gunnar Saunders – Multiple positions

Team strengths – Team numbers have increased which will hopefully add needed depth to the team and keep players fresh.

Areas needing improvement – “Improvements are needed in every area at this point in the season, but technique and assignment recognition need to improve. Also, with several new faces, time is needed for us to gel as a unit,” the coach reported.

Keys to a successful season – “We must continue to improve daily, weekly. We have potential to be a competitive team this season,” Coach Turner.

What do you like about this year’s squad – “We have good kids who work hard. We have lots of room to get better throughout the season. Hopefully, we will be a much better football team in October,” Coach Turner.

Opener: At Leavitt, this Friday, 7 p.m.

Home Opener: Westbrook, Friday, Sept. 8, 7 p.m.

FIELD HOCKEY

Coach: Dede Frost

Assistant Coach: Jennifer Bartlett

Returning players: Seniors Gabby Udoto, Grace Porcaro; Juniors Bri’Anna Evans, Dakota Fox, Hazel Lewis, Haley Littlefield, Jocelyn Roy, Rayna Wales; Sophomores Aspen Hazlewood, Sharis Santos

Top newcomers: Sophomore Clara Yager, and Junior Gwen McDougal

Players to Watch: Seniors Gabby Udoto and Grace Picaro, both offense

Team strengths — Coach Frost says the girls have the skills they need to succeed. They simply need continued practice and the opportunity to try those skills in game situations. “The team has tremendous leadership from the two seniors, as well as some returning juniors with varsity experience. As a whole, the team shares a positive attitude — hoping to improve level of play with each game,” Coach Frost.

Areas needing improvement — “Young/inexperienced athletes often lack the self-confidence to trust their skills or try new things in competitions. We will work on improving individual skills which in turn will boost the level of confidence in players and competence as a team,” Coach Frost.

Keys to a successful season — The Raiders are smaller in numbers than usual so it will be imperative that they avoid injuries and continue conditioning so that they can maximize player time on the field and minimize substitutions.

What do you like about this year’s squad — “This year’s team is very young with only two returning seniors. They are eager to learn and willing to play any position. We are experimenting with new systems to a fit the strengths of our young team. They are high energy and fun to coach,” Coach Frost.

Opener: At Cape Elizabeth, today, Aug. 31 at 4:30 p.m.

Home Opener: Lake Region, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 4 p.m.

GOLF

Coach: Chris Dutton.

Outlook: So far this preseason has been a solid turnout of 15 players, with a good mix of veterans and beginners, seniors all the way done to freshmen. Leading the way this year is senior and three-year starter and three-time Western Maine All Conference All Star Sean Davis. “He brings some good leadership and experience to the team and will be counted on extremely to lead and keeps things in order,” Coach Dutton said. “He’s been a pleasure and great player over the past three seasons and will look to add to his goals of qualifying for the Individual States this fall. He’s got the tools of good ball striking, solid distance and good touch. Key will be just playing within himself and making those clutch chips and putts in the short game area.”

Senior Ethan Lord has established himself regularly in the Raider line-up and continues to provide the team with improving and good play. “Ethan is not afraid to give the ball a ride so to speak, likes the long ball. If he is strong off the tee and keeps improving the short game, he will be a positive in the line-up day in and day out,” Coach Dutton said.

Juniors also play heavily in the team’s outlook led by Quinn Hagerty, Samuel Day and Quinn Dickey. All bring different styles. Sam just began playing over two years ago and has picked it up quickly. “He added some distance this year, but is usually accurate off the tee as well which bodes well for him. If he keeps improving his distance, control and short game, it will get him to new level. “Excited to keep seeing him progress,” Coach Dutton said.

Quinn Hagerty brings a casual, fun attitude to his game. His skills are good and steadily getting better. He just needs to take small strides daily and hone in on this craft, his coach noted.

Quinn Dickey is athletic and can hit it long, which at times can get him in trouble. “Working on getting his putting much more consistent and getting him more relaxed come game time,” Coach Dutton said.

The team’s newcomer is freshman Cody Davis, brother of Sean. “He brings a smile and laughter every day. He’s got a great skill set already for his young age and will contribute right away. He has that fearless look on the course at times, but then at times doesn’t want to trust his skills. He is going to be a factor for us over the next four years without a doubt,” Coach Dutton reported.

Some other players on the squad that figure to make some noise or look to enter some playing time will be Rich Massey, Cameron Chappell, and Preston Field.

Opener: The Raiders opened the regular season last week with a home match at Lake Kezar Country Club with Freeport and Lake Region.

FA split with a loss to Freeport and a win over the Lakers. Sean led the way for the Raiders with a solid 38 on the day and brother Cody made his debut with a 40 to highlight the low scores for the team. Samuel Day added a 43.

“We have good depth this season and hopefully that will be a strength for us as we have four to five players that are close in scores where they can all pick each other up on a down day to a good day. It’s going to take that second or third low score each match to get us over the hump. We will be in a much better place this season to compete at the top tier, I hope. Got great players and energy with positive attitudes to keep working hard, so hopefully we see some of that result in positive things on the golf course during competition,” Coach Dutton added.

Up next: North Yarmouth Academy, today, Aug. 31, 3:30 p.m. Lake Kezar CC.

GIRLS’ SOCCER

Coach: David Hart

Assistant Coaches: Jacki Buzzell, Stevi Laird

JV Coach: Jacki Buzzell

Returning players — The Raiders have 23 returning players this year, 7 are seniors. FA has about 20 new players this year. As always, the Raiders are enriched with players from other countries including Brazil, Spain, and Mexico.

Top newcomers — “We look at each player as being able to contribute in their own way to our program. Regardless of the year in school, first time player, or someone who will play a lot of minutes, each student-athlete is valuable to our team,” Coach Hart said.

Players to Watch: “We look forward to watching each player perform in training and in games. They have all put in tremendous effort during our preseason. They have shown great commitment to our Standard and continue each day to contribute to the culture of girls’ soccer here at the Academy. We love to watch them play and look forward too many successes this season,” Coach Hart.

What do you like about this year’s squad — “This group of girls have brought energy, effort and a competitive attitude to this year’s program. The bonds they are shaping will help to carry us through the challenges of our season,” Coach Hart.

Opener: Wells, today, Aug. 31, 6 p.m.

BOYS’ SOCCER

Coach: Bob Hodgeman-Burns

Assistant Coach: Tucker Barnaby

Captains are Tyler Bartick, Ethan St Pierre, and Boone Douglass

Top Returnees — Tucker Barnaby Jr., Andre Dimolletta, Jacob Everleth, Aidan Clement, Myles Willimen, Gabe Grace

Top Newcomers — Nivaldi Locarto, Hugo Salah, and Nicolas Martinez

Team Strengths — “Our strength is our skill and a good mix of residential and local students,” Coach Hodgman-Burns said. 

Areas needing improvement — The challenge will be youth and inexperience.

Keys to a successful season — “The goal is to get better every time out and to gel as a team,” Coach HB said.

Next Game: At Wells today, Aug. 31, 6 p.m.

Home Opener: Traip Academy, this Saturday, Sept. 2, 11 a.m.

CROSS COUNTRY

Coach: JP Krol

Assistant Coach: Corey Dowe

Returning athletes: Senior Arkie Baptista, junior James Lougee, sophomore Dodge Mixer Bailey; seniors Isabel Macht and Maggie Albert; sophomore Katie Ann Clark

New athletes: Freshman Lou Knowles; Junior Mirabel Knowles; Senior Jiawon Choi; Freshman Trixie Lougee; Freshman Annabelle Bachman; Senior Barbara Stumpf Artero

Team strengths — Great attitudes & vibes!

Areas needing improvement — Consistent training, recruiting additional athletes.

Keys to a successful training — Injury prevention and consistency.

What do you like about this year’s team — Great leadership from captains Arkie and Isabel, good camaraderie during and after practice.

Opener: At Gray-New Gloucester, today, Aug. 31 at 4:30 p.m. (also with Lake Region and Poland).

Home Opener: Friday, Sept. 8, 4:30 p.m. against Freeport, North Yarmouth Academy, Old Orchard Beach and Traip Academy.