WATERBORO – They may not want to make too much out of it, but the football players and coaches at Massabesic and Deering know this season will be different.

Both teams are moving back to Class A.

“I think it will be a good challenge for us,” said Massabesic senior Jackson Normand, a safety and slot receiver. “Everybody’s been hitting the gym, showing up all summer.”

Mustang senior guard/defensive end Noah Diment had a different opinion when it came to Class A vs. Class B.

“I don’t think there’s a bigger challenge. We can take on any team in the state. We’re as competitive and as gritty as any team around here,” Diment said.

On the one hand, Diment has earned the right to be confident. Massabesic has won a Class B South playoff game three straight seasons, reached the B South final in 2023 and went 7-3 a year ago — two of the losses to Deering.

But …

The last time Massabesic was in Class A was 2018. It finished 1-6, giving the Mustangs a five-year record of 5-34. Deering was better in the overall record category (17-28) but had finished a 3-6 season and was in the middle of coaching churn that saw the Rams employ seven head coaches between 2011-2022.

After that 2018 season, Massabesic specifically petitioned for relief and asked to move to Class B. It was well-known that Deering also wanted out — at least from Class A South where it had been routinely pummeled by Thornton Academy, Bonny Eagle and Scarborough, that era’s Big 3. Those desires were a significant reason why the Maine Principals’ Association decided to whittle Class A from 14 to eight teams in 2019.

This season, Class A is back to a 14-team league with seven teams in the North and seven in the South. Portland, South Portland, Windham returned in 2023 along with Noble. Deering joins Portland in A North. Massabesic will be in A South. Cheverus, a Class A team in 2018, has bounced among multiple divisions, including a season at eight-man and this year is in B South.

Like Massabesic under fifth-year coach Lucas Labbe, Deering has rebuilt its program in Class B under Brendan Scully, who is entering his third season as head coach. Scully was the Massabesic athletic director in 2018.

Deering finished 8-2 in 2024, losing to Kennebunk in the B South final. That was a stark contrast to the Rams’ 0-8 season in 2021.

“Moving back to Class A was always something I wanted to see happen,” Labbe said. “I would have preferred a couple more years in Class B. But I feel we’ll be in the mix. We’ll scrap with anybody.”

For both teams, the timing of the return to Class A is less than ideal because of significant graduation losses.

Massabesic graduated 20 players, including two-year starting quarterback Cam Bradbury and have five seniors among their 60 registered players.

“We got moved to Class A and we have a small senior class this year but we’re ready to work hard and whatever’s thrown our way we’re ready to handle it,” said senior Cade Nielsen, a wide receiver/cornerback. 

Deering graduated 13 players, including starting quarterback Tavian Lauture, an all-around playmaker who was a Varsity Maine All-State defensive back and a strong kicker, and its top two linemen All-Stater DeShawn LaMour and all-SMAA pick Christian (Katana) Silva.

“We’ve got 40 guys, right, and we have other schools — whether we were in Class A or not — with 60 or more,” Scully said. “It’s a challenge because we’re not as deep as perhaps somebody else will be.”

Scully likes his returning skill players and does return several linemen. He said his players seem to be approaching the season with a “business as usual,” approach based on the first three preseason practices.

Deering will host Massabesic in Saturday’s controlled scrimmage, then will play Class A heavyweight Thornton Academy in its exhibition game on Aug. 29.

“With Thornton they’re going to see something different than any of our guys have seen. I’m looking forward to that game to see how they respond,” Scully said.

Massabesic senior center Eli Neville said he expects the Mustangs to continue to improve.

“We’ve built back up and we’re moving to Class A and are going to do the same thing,” Neville said. “Competition is competition. There’s more competition in Class A.”

One difference from the old 14-team format in 2018 is the schedule. Class A has a nine-game slate. Each team will play its six regional opponents.

“That affords us three crossovers and if that structure remains in place that allows some flexibility to help out some with teams that might be down a little,” Scully said. “We’re crossing over with Cheverus, (Class B) Lawrence, and South Portland.”

On paper, Massabesic’s schedule looks more daunting. It opens with A North crossovers at Lewiston and then Oxford Hills. It’s one Class B opponent is Kennebunk, which they were unable to beat in their stay in B South. Back-to-back games with Thornton and Bonny Eagle come in weeks six and seven.

“There’s no easy games this year,” Neville said.