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BY GARY HAWKINS
Staff Writer and
Correspondent 08/30/2008

Staff Writer and

DAVE MCLAUGHLIN

Correspondent

The Richmond boys soccer team has won nine state championships in its illustrious history, but the Bobcats haven't won back-to-back titles since winning four straight Class C titles in the early 1970s.

They've long since moved to Class D and after winning last year's state title, have the players to win it all again.

"We're going to try and get right back there," Richmond coach Joe Scribellito said. "They're going to have to earn respect on the field this year; that title only goes so far."

The Bobcats return top scorers Andy Harrington and Jason Brown, two of the state's top players regardless of class. Both scored 19 goals last season while juniors Eric Murrin and Joey Scribellito scored 14 and 11, respectively.

"These kids this year are faster and we're deeper at midfield," Coach Scribellito said.

The Richmond coach expects competition this season from Vinalhaven, Greenville and Rangeley. Once again, the Bobcats have beefed up their schedule with strong Class C teams including St. Dom's, Waynflete and Sacopee Valley.

Elsewhere in the East/West Conference, Valley has increased depth and should be more competitive this season while limited participation has forced Averill to field a co-ed team for the second straight year.

KVAC Class A

Based on returning talent, Waterville, Mt. Blue and Messalonskee are expected to challenge for supremacy in the conference's northern division.

Waterville lost several key pieces but will build around seven returning seniors. Nick Christensen, Mike Jabar, Tory Quinn, Ian Rowe, Mike Tozier, Nate Breton and Shawn Lee all play important roles for the Purple Panthers.

"We have the potential to do better than last season," Waterville coach Jeff Ross said. "If the young kids blossom, we will be all right."

Mt. Blue will look to seniors Zach Conlogue, Jamie Sawyer, Ben Russell and Welly Ramsey for leadership.

Messalonskee reached the semifinals last season in Eastern A and is poised to make another run this season. Senior Cam Omsberg returns to lead the Eagles in the middle of the field, with an exceptional supporting cast.

"We are right there," Messalonskee coach Tom Sheridan said. "It might take us a while to gain confidence but we are ready."

Lawrence, Nokomis and Skowhegan suffered through losing seasons a year ago, but return several key players while hoping to develop a solid crop of newcomers .

In the KVAC South, Cony lost several close games last season and narrowly missed the playoffs. The Rams expect improvement this year, based on returning talent and a couple of key newcomers.

"We have more experience than we had last year," Cony coach Nate Benoit said. "We've got some huge questions but I think we have answers."

KVAC Class B

Based on tradition and returning talent, Maranacook will be the team to beat. The Black Bears' role as favorite this season is bolstered by significant graduation losses at Winslow and Erskine.

The Black Bears lost slick scoring sophomore David Nurse, who transferred to Falmouth, but with 15 returning players should be able to make up that void.

"We've got some pretty interchangeable players," Maranacook coach Don Beckwith said. "I don't think if any one person goes down it's going to hurt us."

The one exception could be senior Devin Gerrity, who emerged as one of the top goalkeepers in the conference last season.

Erskine sustained heavy graduation losses but also had 59 players try out for the varsity team. The Eagles have three talented senior leaders in Nick Grady, Jordan Lyford and Devon Veilleux, but their strength lies in underclassmen.

"I think we're going to be solid," Erskine coach Phil Hubbard said. "We're still young, but I have a strong junior class that's very committed."

Peter Dewdney steps into the head coaching role at Winslow, where the Black Raiders graduated 10 seniors from the Eastern B finalist of last season. Seniors Joey McLean, Neil Carnahan, Kevin Martin and Jordan Bailey are working to keep the Black Raiders in contention.

Mt. View continued to make solid progress last season, posting 10 wins, but the Mustangs graduated nine players from that team leaving a number of holes to fill. MCI looks to seniors Ross Hammond and Nate Olsen under new coach Scott Giallombardo to help a young team return to the tournament.

Gardiner and Oak Hill both expect to be significantly improved. The Tigers are led by veteran midfielder Eric Goodwin and Dan Paradee, and the Raiders by some talented young players.

Mountain Valley Conference

Nine seniors return to a Mt. Abram team determined to make another run at the MVC title. Depth and experience, especially on attack and in the middle of the field, give the Roadrunners a solid shot.

"We lost every one of our defenders," Mt. Abram coach Darren Allen said. "We should be able to score goals but will need to find a way to stop our opponents from putting the ball in the net."

Kevin Taft will take over the head coaching reins at Carrabec.

Hall-Dale has a new head coach in Steve Acedo and should be in the middle of the pack, while Winthrop brings back a dozen players and could be a surprise. Monmouth is struggling with numbers and rebuilding without a senior on the team.

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