A capsule look at Week 1 games in central Maine

Brad Bishop and the Messalonskee football team know what’s coming tonight when they welcome Cony to Veterans Field in the season opener for both teams.

Before we look at some of the big games on the high school football schedule this season, let’s tip our caps to a pair of games we won’t see. Scheduling an eight-game season in Class B, with nine teams in the East and 11 teams in the West, led to some quirks. For instance, longtime rivals Lawrence and Skowhegan will not play each other, although their fields are approximately 16 miles apart. Mt. Blue and Cony, two team considered to be among the best in Class B, won’t play each other either, unless it’s in the playoffs.

Steve Shukie did a little of everything as a Bowdoin College football assistant coach the last seven years.

Eastern Class B has been getting a lot of recognition as a tough league in the state’s new four class format for high school football, and deservedly so. But don’t overlook Eastern Class C, which has the potential to be a very competitive league.

Winthrop High School athletic director Chris Moreau is new to the job but not the profession. Moreau was hired last week to replace outgoing AD and Dean of Students Dwayne Conway, who accepted a position as principal at Marancook Community High School.

When Ethan Squires walked into the Winthrop football team’s locker room for the first practice, he refused to trust his eyes.

When the Mt. Blue High School football team reported for preseason last year, the vibe around the team was all about unfinished business. The Cougars lost the Pine Tree Conference Class B championship game in overtime to Leavitt in 2011, so 2012 was about taking the next step.