One of the selling points of expanding to a four-class system in Maine high school football was it would make the football more competitive. So how much more competitive have the games been so far?

Going strictly by the numbers, they’re actually less competitive compared to this time last year.

Class A has had the closest games through two weeks, with an average margin of 21.3 points through 16 games. That is with the 59-point spread between Lewiston and Cheverus factored in. In six of the games, the teams have been separated by two possessions or less. Eight games were decided by 25 points or more.

Class B has been the least competitive thus far, with the victors averaging 31 more points per game through 20 games. Only four games have been decided by single digits (all eight points or less). Only five have been decided by 14 points or less. Six contests have ended with margins of 40 or more points, three by 50 or more.

Class C and the new Class D have been virtually the same. Class C’s average margin of victory is 23.9 points. Five games have been decided by single digits (all seven points or less), 10 by 20 points or less. Two spreads exceeded 40 points.

Class D’s average spread was 23.5 points. Three games were decided by single digits (all six points or less). Four were two-possession games, while 11 were within 24 points. Two games were decided by 40 or more points.

For the four classes, the average margin of victory is 25.1 points per game.

Through two weeks last year, the average was 22.3 points per game (25.4 in Class A, 19.2 in Class B, 31.2 in Class C).

Of course, only one quarter of this season can be sampled. Some classes may have more competitive matchups over the remainder of the schedule, some less. The same holds true with the comparison to last year at this time. But it’s still some food for thought.