Six names to know in Maine

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are six of the best players in Maine entering the 2026 high school season:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2105038"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a9b0d88ba66c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Castoras was a strong two-way player for the Hawks as a junior, when he rushed for 835 yards and 12 touchdowns on 92 carries and recorded 13 tackles for loss. He's moved to fullback for first-year head coach Andrew Elwell this season and scored four touchdowns during Marshwood's season-opening 50-27 triumph over Sanford. Castoras ran for a 90-yard TD on Marshwood's first offensive play of the season. He finished the game with 186 yards on the ground.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2337192"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a9b0d88ba6d3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Martin was a significant contributor on both sides of the ball for the Bulldogs last season, when Portland won its third consecutive Class A North championship. He rushed for 579 yards, caught 34 passes for 307 yards and accounted for 256 return yards, but he may have been even more impressive on defense. Martin finished the 2025 season with 91 tackles, including 12 tackles for loss and six sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2110116"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a9b0d88ba71f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ouellette will be among the top defensive players in Maine this season. He was a First Team Class A South selection in 2025, after he recorded 123 tackles before he was injured in Noble's ninth game. He also forced two fumbles and had two sacks. Expect Martin to make for of an impact on offense as a receiver this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2337204"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a9b0d88ba768"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A dual-threat quarterback and a defensive back, Piper was among the main reasons Greely went unbeaten (11-0) and won the Class C championship last season by beating Leavitt in the Class C title game. Piper weighs close to 200 pounds, and finished last season with 49 tackles (40 solo) and eight interceptions. He also passed for 1,543 yards and 22 touchdowns, and added 465 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2374025,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a9b0d88ba7c6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Richard is a dominant offensive tackle who has drawn Division III interest in part because of his size (6-foot-3, 325 pounds). He moves well pulling and is good at getting to defenders at the second level. One of his strengths is his willingness to block to the whistle. Rarely does he not finish a block. Richard is one of four returning starters on Bonny Eagle's offensive line, and will also line up at defensive tackle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2374057,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a9b0d88ba808"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Also a standout in basketball, Root help sixth-seeded Morse pull off two upsets and advance to last year's Class C South final, where he completed 8 of 11 passes for 104 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Winthrop. Root rushed for 675 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, and also passed for 855 yards and six TDs. He'll also be an impact player as a defensive back in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->