Last fall, the Cheverus boys cross country team came agonizingly close to claiming the program’s first Class A state championship since 2001.

The Stags of Portland are on the right path to realizing their dream as they head into Saturday's state championship meet at Belfast on quite a roll, having nipped Scarborough in the regionals by the narrowest of margins.

The two teams each scored 40 points, but the Stags’ No. 6 man, Mark Beahm, edged Scarborough No. 6 Joe Prosack by two places.

Both teams will be looking to unseat 2007 state champ Lewiston, which won the East regional title handily.

The Stags are led up front by the 1-2-3 combination of Jack Terwilliger, Andrew Snyder and Taylor Dundas, with Tim Woods right behind in the No. 4 hole. All four runners earned top-10 finishes at regionals.

Josh Reali has been a solid No. 5 for Cheverus.