The Wells High School offense decided to run the football nearly all night -- the team threw just twice with one of these plays being a halfback pass -- and the strategy paid off as the Warriors defeated Foxcroft Academy 55-20 in the 2018 Class D championship on the turf at Alfond Stadium at the University of Maine on the evening of Saturday, Nov. 17.

Look through these pages on a regular basis, and you will see evidence that for many Mainers, taking up hunting or fishing is nearly a birthright. This week alone, I interviewed a pair of 12-year-olds who have been hunting since they were legally allowed to do so.

Many people who witnessed undefeated Josh Harvey’s -- who is a graduate of Dexter Regional High School -- recent majority draw against Joe Giannetti in the main event of Cage Titans 41 at the Plymouth (Massachusetts) Memorial Hall thought Harvey won -- including his opponent.

As the undefeated Foxcroft Academy football team worked out Monday evening in advance of a snowstorm that left Oakes Field with even more of a winter’s blanket by Tuesday morning, Nov. 13, 10th-year head coach Danny White and his troops did so knowing the formidable task that awaits them.

South teams won two games, the North captured one and the other ended in a tie during high school soccer action at the 24th annual Senior Bowl at Thomas College on Sunday, Nov. 11.

Five different Foxcroft running backs accounted for six touchdowns and 368 rushing yards as coach Danny White’s club defeated Bucksport 43-26 at a cold and windy Weatherbee Complex at Hampden Academy on Saturday night, Nov. 10 to capture its second straight Class D North championship.

Athletes from each of the area’s five high schools received recognition on the 2018 fall Penobscot Valley Conference All-Conference Teams.

Players from across the region were selected for 2018 Maine Soccer Coaches Association Regional All-Star Teams.

When November days turn to double digits, plenty of Maine deer hunters make a special point to spend more time in the woods, taking advantage of the peak of mating season, also known as “the rut.”

Seniors Carter Tolmasoff and Lucas Wardwell combined for 584 rushing yards and and 10 touchdowns Monday, Nov. 5 as second-ranked Bucksport made the scoreboard at Carmichael Field look more like the U.S. National Debt Clock as the Golden Bucks defeated No. 3 Mattanawcook 77-36 in their Class D North semifinal.

Jessica Morton, 13 of Brownville Junction, harvested her first moose on Oct. 12. She was hunting with her father, Mike Morton, in the Katahdin Iron Works region.

Piscataquis Community High School students, athletes and those enrolled in physical education classes alike, now have the opportunity to improve their strength and health in the school’s new weight room. Located in a classroom space near the library the weight room features machines, presses, and dumbbells to provide a place for Pirates to exercise at no charge.

On the very first play of a Class D North semifinal on Friday, Nov. 2, fifth-seeded Washington Academy of East Machias brought the opening kickoff back 75 yards to the 8-yard line of No. 1 Foxcroft Academy. The Raiders would get no closer to the endzone for the rest of the game as the Ponies scored six touchdowns on the soggy ground to win 41-0 and improve to 9-0.

Josh Harvey has made quick work of his first five professional mixed martial arts opponents -- none has lasted even one full round in the cage against him. Now, the 28-year-old fighter from Young’s MMA in Bangor -- who is a graduate of Dexter Regional High School -- is faced with a challenge that could elevate him from the regional scene much closer to the national ranks.

The Warrior girls defeated No. 9 Penquis Valley High School 2-1 in the championship game.

Ridge View Community School in Dexter is again participating in the Fuel Up To Play 60 program. Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by the National Dairy Council and NFL in collaboration with the USDA, to help encourage today's youth to lead healthier lives. This is the fourth year that grades 5-8 have participated.

As hunters head into the woods this deer season, two of the state’s wildlife biologists say paying extra attention to tick avoidance should be a priority. For that matter, even nonhunters ought to be aware of the presence of ticks, including the black-legged or “deer tick,” which can spread Lyme disease.

Over the course of a year, I find myself answering all kinds of questions about hunting. Among those questions, the classic W’s are well-represented. Where am I spending opening day? When am I going to head into the woods? Who am I hunting with?