SPARK TO THE RUNNING GAME — Senior Divine Dockery broke some big runs a year ago, and could be in for a solid season if the Raider offensive line develops. (Rivet Photo)

VARSITY FOOTBALL

Head Coach: David Turner, fifth year

Assistant Coaches: Jim Cummings, David Jones, Fuzzy Thurston, Stephen Barker and Dominic Torch.

Top returnees: Seniors Kyle Bonner (running back/defensive back)), Jake Thurston (wide receiver/defensive back), Ian MacFawn (lineman), Andrew Rascoe (quarterback/defensive back), Divine Dockery (running back/linebacker) and CJ Bartlett (lineman).

Top newcomers: Seniors Tanner Wentworth (tight end/linebacker) and Bright Amoako (wide receiver/defensive back); junior Greg Sargent (lineman); sophomore Zach Sheehan (running back/linebacker).

Three keys to the season: Development of the offensive and defensive lines; staying healthy (injuries to one player often affects several positions); and playing more consistently on both sides of the ball.

Three main question marks: Depth — it allows teams to overcome injuries; younger player development — will some of the underclassmen improve enough to contribute this season; and can the Raiders play with the same intensity and positive attitude that they displayed last year? “It allowed us to improve and be competitive,” Coach Turner said.

Positives in the preseason: Leadership by captains and seniors; commitment level by the ninth graders; and improvement with strength and conditioning. “Hopefully, it will continue to improve and pay dividends in the future,” Coach Turner said.

Coach’s outlook: “We hope to improve, compete each week and maintain a positive attitude — that will hopefully allow us to be competitive,” Coach Turner said.

Opening day: The Raiders travel to Lake Region this Friday night (7 p.m.) for the annual Pleasant Mountain Bowl. The Raiders won last year’s opening game, 20-16, by making a big defensive stand in the closing minutes.

VARSITY GIRLS’ SOCCER

Head Coach: John Atwood, 21st year (another seven to eight coaching boys). Returns as varsity coach for the Raiders after five years away from the game.

Assistant Coach: Kristina Stevens

Top Returnees: Very athletic group led by senior defenders Carla Tripp and Maddie Pearson; forwards and midfielders Jamie Gullikson, Sam Nardone, Sasha Azel, Kallie Moulton and Shannon Friberg.

Top Newcomers: Juniors Olivia McDermith, Sydney Charles (defender), Isabelle Hodgman-Burns (midfield), Chelsea Abrams (defender), Sarah Welch (midfield), Danae Dostie (defender); Sophomore Ellie Burbank (goalie); Freshmen Julia Quinn (midfield), Anna Mahanor (midfield), Mckenna Gerchman, Lexi L’Heureux-Carlon, (defense), Sage Bovin (midfield); plus another 20 or so players. “I am still trying to figure out who works best where, working on improving skill and working together as it’s a mix of young and older players,” Coach Atwood said.

Three keys to season: Getting young and older players to work together; play well as a team; and play tough in a very competitive conference.

Three question marks: Where everyone fits best on the team and their role? How well the defense will play together? Goal scoring, who and where does it come from?

Three positives you have seen in preseason: Very athletic group. Strong senior leadership. A very easy and good group to work with. “They’re hard working and very energetic,” Coach Atwood said.

Coach’s outlook: “We could be okay if we keep improving and gel as a team,” Coach Atwood said.

Opening day: The Raiders open their season on Tuesday, Sept. 4 with a home game against Cape Elizabeth at 4 p.m. JV play at 5:45 p.m. The Raiders then travel to Gray on Friday, Sept. 7 for a 6 p.m. game. JV at 4:15 p.m.

VARSITY CHEERLEADING

Head Coach: Jillian Tetreault, third year

Top Returnees: Allison Thomas, Junior; Ashanah Tripp, Senior; Haley Kollander, Senior; Alexis Guzman, Senior; Lisa Ishii, Junior; Emily Ouellette, Junior; Ashley Wissmann, Junior; and Michaela Centamore, Sophomore.

Top Newcomers: Jasmine Fuller, Hannah Perry, Kaylee Barboza, Danielle Graham, Makayla Bisulca, Andrea Engan, Allison Fahey and Ciara Landry.

Coach’s Outlook: “We only had seven girls on our team last year so starting with 16 is awesome. We are looking really strong for the beginning of the year,” Coach Tetreault said. “The girls are excited to get the season started. The season is looking great! We are excited for games, but also will be busy planning Homecoming, a Cheer for a Cure fundraiser, and doing a cheer clinic with the junior cheerleaders.”

INVITATIONAL CHAMPS — The Fryeburg Academy boys’ varsity cross-country team captured the overall team title at the Lake Region Invitational held this past Saturday at LRHS. Pictured left to right are Reed Wales, David Powers, Sullivan Briggs, Kyle Barboza, Patrick Carty, Liuke Yang, Jonathan Burk, Eric Hannes, Logan Gerchman and Silas Eastman. Thomas Rose had to leave right after race for work.

VARSITY CROSS COUNTRY

Head Coach: Bill Reilly, 23 years

Assistant Coaches: Dylan Alden (girls) and Tim Even (boys)

Girls’ roster: Seniors Emily Powers (captain), Eliza Neidlinger and Kylie Jolicoeur; junior Juliet Fink; sophomores Elizabeth Grzyb and Jane Imdieke-King; freshmen Abby Davis, Ariel Fogden and Erika Dennery.

Boys’ roster: Seniors Silas Eastman and Logan Gerchman (captains); juniors Kyle Barboza, Liam LeConey, David Powers, Sullivan Briggs, Tyler O’Keefe and Eric Hannes; sophomores Liuke Yang, Thomas Rose and Jonathan Burk; freshmen Patrick Carty and Reed Wales.

Invitational: The FA boys captured the team title at the Lake Region Invitational held last Saturday in Naples. Silas Eastman won the race in record time in 14 minutes, 44 seconds. Logan Gerchman was third overall in 16:06. Here’s how other FA runners fared: 5. Eric Hannes 16:36; 6. TJ Rose 16:38; 9. Liuke Yang 17:21; 14. Patrick Carty 17:54; 24. Kyle Barboza 18:344; 27. Jon Burk 18:49; 36, Sullivan Briggs 20:18; 43. David Powers 21:31; 48. Reed Wales 24:47.

Final team standings: 1. Fryeburg Academy 24, 2. Windham 57, 3. Gray-New Gloucester 81. 4, North Yarmouth Academy 96, 5. Poland 114. Lake Region and Cheverus no score.

On the girls’ side, Elizabeth Grzyb was the fastest Raider with a time of 20:53 good for 11th place (winning time was 18:27). Here’s how other Raiders fared: 19. Abby Davis 21:58; 39. Emily Powers 26:07; 40. Ariel Fogden 26:11; 41. Erika Dennery 26:41; 44. Jane Imdieke-King 37:46; Eliza Neidlinger 37:48.

Final team standings: 1. Windham 17, 2. Lake Region 65, 3. Catherine McAuley 73, 4. Fryeburg Academy 79.

Outlook: “These guys are the real thing! Our goal is to put all seven boys under 18 minutes for 5K. The rest will follow,” Coach Reilly said. “We’ve had a great pre-season turnout! Numbers are increasing. Another goal is to develop a young girls team into a state caliber team. This is going to be really fun!”

Opening day: The Raiders open the cross-country season this Friday, Aug. 31 on the road against Merriconeag, Greely, Wells and Traip Academy. Boys open at 4:30 p.m. followed by the girls at 5 p.m.

VARSITY GOLF

Head Coach: Chris Dutton, seventh year

Top returnees: Seniors Ben Bailey, Andrew Berg, and Cody Smith; senior “Little” Van Nguyen (who placed sixth overall in Girls’ State Championship last year); and junior “Big” Van Nguyen (who placed 15th in State Championships).

Top newcomers: Sophomore Mike Davis and Trevor Henschel; freshman Mike Heggie.

Question marks: Golf course management. “Every year, it seems to boil down to how each player deals with golf course management during the round. Playing the course to their strengths and not trying to play shots that don’t fit their game or take on to much risk,” Coach Dutton said. “We are a little more experienced this year at the top four spots so that should provide some consistency and confidence throughout the lineup.”

Positives in preseason: The numbers. At the present time, Fryeburg has 15 golfers and could get a few more out in the next week or so.

“I’m excited to see the enthusiasm of the turnout and the play has been quite positive this early going,” Coach Dutton said.

The team will need to adjust the roster for the first two matches as the Raiders will be without two starters — Van Nguyen sisters from Vietnam — as they won’t arrive until Labor Day.

Coach’s outlook: “I like the outlook for the season. Ben Bailey and Andrew Berg have seen to take their game up a notch. They both have played very well this preseason, but more importantly than shooting lower scores is that they been very consistent. Both are hitting longer and hitting quality shots throughout the rounds. They will be at the forefront of the team,” Coach Dutton said. “I’m very excited about some of the newcomers to the line-up. Mike Heggie and Trevor Henschel will get some time in the line-up and should continue to improve as the year progresses and as they settle in getting experience in the lineup. So far, Mike Davis has been the surprise of the team. He played last year and got some experience but has really taken off this pre-season. He has new clubs and has been working hard. It shows. He has probably gained about 30 to 40 yards off the tee, and accuracy has been a huge improvement. He’s got a great attitude and expect him to help bolster the lineup.”

Last year, the Raiders had three girls qualify for the state championships. Liz Dyer (18th place), “Big” Van (15th) and “Little” Van (sixth place) will all be back again this year, set to try to qualify yet again.

“Liz missed the first week of preseason, but has looked pretty good when she’s been here. She has been hitting well off the tee, which will be a key factor for her to qualify again this year,” Coach Dutton said. “As mentioned earlier, Little and Big Van will return to the team next week. I know they have been practicing all summer and are very anxious to return to the team and play. I would guess that all three will have a good chance to qualify and that we can get hopefully at least two Top 10 and or a Top 5 finisher in the States as individuals.”

Other golfers to watch for will be freshmen Harrison Leavitt and Jake Maidment. Both have just started playing the game, but have shown some skills to build off. Time and experience on the course should help improve their games.

Opening day: The Raiders opened play yesterday, Aug. 29 at home against Cape Elizabeth and Poland. FA then travels to play Sacopee Valley and North Yarmouth Academy today, Aug. 30. The next home match at Lake Kezar Country Club is Wednesday, Sept. 5 against Lake Region at 3:30 p.m.