The preseason consensus seems to be that Winthrop/Monmouth and Lisbon are the favorites to end Oak Hill’s reign in the region. And it’s clear why that is: the Ramblers (5-4) and the Greyhounds (7-3) are talented, skilled and experienced. Who ends up claiming the top spot could be decided in the season’s first week because the two teams duke it out in the opener Saturday afternoon.

Oak Hill (11-0), the three-time defending state champ, hopes there will be strength in numbers, with a roster that reaches nearly 50 players. The Raiders lost a lot of players, but they also return a fair amount, and could be a dangerous team down the stretch.

Dirigo (7-3) has a small but determined group this year. How high the Cougars finish might depend on how healthy they stay throughout the season.

The region took a couple hits when Telstar and Boothbay canceled their seasons. The remaining teams will try to fill those weeks with exhibition games.