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BY BILL STEWART
Staff Writer Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel 08/28/2008

BY BILL STEWART

Staff Writer

One is a senior who waited and waited some more for his time to lead the varsity squad's offense. The other is a sophomore who hoped and hoped some more for just a chance to lead the varsity squad's offense.

Both will make their unofficial-official debuts at quarterback Friday night in the 131st Cony-Gardiner gridiron showdown.

Although the game is just an exhibition -- a final tuneup before the Rams and Tigers venture into Pine Tree Conference Class A and B action, respectively -- it marks a new beginning for Gardiner Area High School senior Mike Denham and Cony sophomore Nick Lucas.

"It feels good," said Lucas, who played quarterback for the freshman team last season. "I've worked hard for it. They talked to me last year and told me I had a chance to play varsity quarterback."

Lucas replaces Matt Rende, a one-year starter who graduated last spring. "I have some big shoes to fill," Lucas added.

So does Denham, who will try to fill the void created by Kyle Stilphen, a Fitzpatrick Trophy finalist who helped lead the Tigers to the Class B state championship last fall.

"I'll be honest, he was better," said Denham, who played tight end last season. "I feel like I can get the job done."

And that's all Gardiner coach Jim Palmer and offensive coordinator Mike Gammon expect from Denham, who at 6 foot 3 brings some size to the position. Stilphen was listed at 5-11 last year. "You can't expect him to be Kyle Stilphen," Gammon said. "You just can't do that. We don't expect it."

Stilphen last season made significant contributions on both sides of the ball. He scored 15 touchdowns -- six rushing, nine passing -- and threw for 458 yards.

As a rover on defense, Stilphen -- who will play baseball at the University of Maine in Orono -- recorded 87 tackles and six interceptions. He also kicked 33 extra points in the regular season, making him one of the most prolific scorers in program history.

Denham said he learned a lot from Stilphen.

"I learned more from Kyle than I did the coaches," he said. "I've talked to him a couple times, just going over things. I feel ready. I have more responsibility now."

Added Gammon, who took over the offense after Palmer became head coach: "We're not starting over, but (Denham) will be learning under fire."

So, too, will Lucas.

"I don't have any concerns with Nick," said Cony coach Robby Vachon, whose team snapped a 27-game losing streak last season and reached the PTC A playoffs for the first time since 2003. "I don't worry about him physically, but the mental part might be difficult. I worry about that stuff, remembering plays."

Denham and Lucas bring contrasting styles of play when compared to their predecessors.

Stilphen was an exceptional athlete who was always a threat to run. Rende also wasn't afraid to rush out of the pocket.

"Matt was a very good athlete who fit into his position really well," Vachon said. "Nick isn't quite the athlete Matt was, but he's accurate and throws a tight spiral. He has a good arm for a sophomore."

Gammon said Denham is your classic drop-back quarterback.

"Mike is definitely a pocket thrower," he said. "Kyle could get out and run, but Mike will just drop back and pass."

Palmer and Vachon previously said, then reiterated this week, that their teams will play to win Friday night. After all, they insist, it's still the same Cony-Gardiner rivalry.

It's just this time around there will be new faces under center.

"I thought about this at the beginning of the season, being the starting quarterback," Denham said. "But once the season starts, I'll put it behind me."

Bill Stewart -- 623-3811, ext. 515

bstewart@centralmaine.com

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