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Sunday, November 21, 2004
Fitzpatrick right spot
Copyright © 2004 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc. | ||||
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Yet, there have been a few rumblings about alternating the title games between Fitzpatrick and a northern site, either the University of Maine in Orono or Husson College in Bangor. Like Fitzpatrick, both venues have artificial turf. Neither site, though, is feasible right now, according to Maine Principals' Association executive director Dick Durost. "The only facility up north with the available seating is the University of Maine and they're more oriented to their own events," Durost said. UMaine played a home game Saturday against New Hampshire and it's highly doubtful the school would move either a football or hockey game at adjacent Alfond Arena to accommodate high school competition. Husson simply doesn't have the seating or the parking to handle the games. Last year, nearly 13,000 fans paid to watch the three title games at Fitzpatrick, many of those staying for more than one game. A few fans have also complained about having three games at the same site, the first beginning at 11 a.m., and the last at 6 p.m. Until 2002, the games were played at separate sites. But many regular high school fields can barely handle the parking or the seating for a state championship game. Then there are the field conditions. The games were originally moved to Fitzpatrick two years ago because snow left grass fields unplayable. It worked so well that's where they've stayed. "Right now, everybody's pretty happy," Durost said. "It's good for the media, and it's great for the true fan who wants to see more than one game." l l l The 5-foot-5, 150-pound listing in the program for Mountain Valley running back Aaron Arsenault was a little generous. The junior, who gained 141 yards and scored twice against Winslow, said he's more like 5-4 and that may be a stretch. And his wrestling coach, Gary Dolloff, said Arsenault will likely wrestle at 140 pounds this winter. Arsenault finished third in the state at 135 pounds as a freshman wrestler and Dolloff thinks he would have won a state title last season, but he was injured. This year, his coach said he's a favorite for the title. As a runner, Arsenault is quick to the hole and deceptively strong. He bench presses 10-rep sets of 265 pounds. "He's tough as any kid on the field," MV linebacker Travis Fergola said. Mountain Valley football coach Jim Aylward said there's another reason for Arsenault's effectiveness. "He only plays offense. In high school football that's huge. He's the freshest kid on the field in the second half." Arsenault's not the only wrestler on the football team. There are 14 according to Dolloff, including state champs David and Chris Smith. l l l Winslow defensive coordinator Jim Poulin juggled three players in the line to take up the slack for senior tackle Andy Poulin, who sustained a knee injury against Brewer last week and watched Saturday's game from the sidelines. Bryon Fogg, Mike Rancourt and Barrett Hoskins all filled in for the 6-3, 235-pound Poulin during the game. Poulin also plays offensive guard. "All three kids did a nice job," Jim Poulin said. Andy Poulin's presence was missed, however. "He's been our stopper on defense and we run behind him on offense," Jim Poulin said. "But we had 10 other kids out there, too."
l l l High school football will have a slightly new look next fall as some teams drop down a class and others move up. Waterville has already decided to drop to Class B while Gorham is expected to move from B to Class A. Others, like Class A Gardiner (enrollment about 780), are undecided, but will be eligible to drop down if they choose. Schools may petition up a class, but if they do, they must stay there four years, according to Durost. There are no stipulations if they drop a class. Right now, the MPA is reviewing enrollments to set guidelines for each sport. "We'll pretty much know the direction we're heading by March," Durost said. He added most schools quickly get over the initial sting of dropping down a class. "Virtually everyone I know who plays at their enrollment is satisfied," he said. l l l Lawrence High football coach Scott Walker considers himself an Eastern Maine fan, but Saturday he was rooting for West champion Bonny Eagle in the Class A game. That's because the Scots are loaded with Lawrence connections. Kevin Cooper, who was a quarterback at the Fairfield school in the late '80s, is the head coach, and is assisted by his father Pete, the legendary former Lawrence coach. John Suttie, who played with Kevin and coached Noble to state Class A title in 1997, is an assistant coach. "I'm real happy for them," Walker said. "I'm an Eastern Maine guy, but some bonds go deeper than that." Walker followed Kevin Cooper at Lawrence, wearing the same No. 11 and also playing quarterback. And like Kevin, he played college football at Dartmouth. The most important fact they have in common, though, is they both played for Pete Cooper. Walker said Pete Cooper instilled in him two traits in particular. "A love and passion for the game of football and the desire to perfect simple things," he said. "Get good at what you do best before you do too much." l l l Saturday's loss to Mountain Valley was the first for Winslow head coach Mike Siviski in a state title game. Siviski-coached teams had previously won state championships in 1986, 1992, 1993, 2000 and 2001. In all, the Black Raiders have won nine state Class B football championships. The title was the first for Mountain Valley, a school formed in 1989 when Rumford and Mexico high schools combined. Those schools, however, won separate championships. Rumford, formerly known as Stephens High, won the state Class A title in 1953 while Mexico won Class B championships in 1962, 1964, and 1969. The two towns at one time were bitter rivals, but other than noting which town a player may come from occassionally, it's one family. "It's all Mountain Valley," said MV wrestling coach Gary Dolloff, who played football at Rumford in the early '80s. "This means a lot to the community." |
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