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BY TRAVIS LAZARCZYK
Staff Writers 08/30/2008

AND BILL STEWART

Staff Writers

Since the Pine Tree Conference became Eastern Maine's Class A conference in 1987, no team has won three consecutive conference titles. Lawrence High School, undefeated in PTC play over the last two seasons, is the latest team to make a run at three in a row.

The Bulldogs have the talent to win the league again, but they'll have to run a gauntlet of strong teams. Bangor, Skowhegan, Edward Little and Lewiston are also contenders for the Eastern Maine crown.

Last season's Class A runner-up graduated a ton of talent, including the Fitzpatrick Trophy winner, quarterback Jack Hersom. Coach John Hersom has 24 seniors on a team that has gone 22-1 over the last two seasons.

"Those seniors haven't lost too many games," Coach Hersom said.

Lawrence's strength is on the line, on both sides of the ball. Offensively, tackles Kevin Pressey (5 foot 11, 275 pounds) and Daven Giroux (6-4, 345) lead a big group of blockers. Devin McDonald and Tyler McKeen could split time at center. Tom Kent moves from tackle to guard, and Ken Pelotte returns at guard.

Pressey and Giroux will also play defensive tackles with Kent, Pelotte and Keith Noyes at defensive end.

Senior Ben Violette replaces Jack Hersom under center. The senior has a strong receiver in tight end Matt Perkins, who moves from split end. Jeshua Dearborn, the team's kicker, will play receiver, along with Nate Letourneau. Brock Lawrence is the only running back with much varsity experience. Anthony Boudreau and Tyler Ashland could get some carries, along with fullback Alex Tompkins.

Violette, Perkins and Lawrence lead a strong secondary. The only place the Bulldogs are rebuilding defensively is at linebacker. Tompkins. Ashland and Max Haney lead a green group.

"We've got some kids we feel can step in, they're just a little untested," Coach Hersom said.

Skowhegan rebounded from two wins in 2006 to go 7-3 last year. The Indians return a talented group and should contend for a high playoff seed again.

Billy Clark had some big carries for Skowhegan last season, and will get even more this year. Dustin Corson, Cody Vigue and Dylan Lancaster also will carry the ball in Skowhegan's run-heavy double wing offense.

Center Cody Williamson and guard Jonathan Fuller lead the offensive line.

Coach Mike Marston hopes he has enough depth to limit the number of players who need to play both ways. Returners on defense include linebacker Peter Boardman, safety Devin Withee and defensive lineman Todd Steward.

"A lot of these kids have been in the program for four years. They've bought into what we're doing. Their time has come," Marston said.

Mt. Blue lost two-year starting quarterback Joe Gilbert to graduation. Junior Ryan Backus will run the Cougars' spread offense.

"So far he's doing real well," coach Gary Parlin said.

Backus has a solid group of receivers, led by Justin Brooks, Ben Altmaier and Chad Simoneau, who missed much of last season with an injury. Tackle Mike Letarte is the most experienced lineman.

The Cougars were one of the worst teams against the run in the PTC last season. Stopping the run was a point of emphasis in the offseason and in preseason practices.

"It was the whole focus in the weight room and the whole focus in the preseason," Parlin said. "We really feel we've made a big improvement there."

Chadd Harris returns after a year away and should shore up the defensive line, and a healthy Simoneau will help at linebacker. Derek Rowe returns at safety.

Cony enters the season with unproven talent at the quarterback position but with a little momentum as well.

The Rams started last season 0-4 to run their winless skid to 27 games. But things changed Sept. 28, when the Rams held off Edward Little 13-6 to snap the slide. The Rams ended the regular season with a four-game winning streak to reach the PTC A playoffs.

So what happens now?

Well, for starters, second-year coach Robby Vachon will have to fill big voids on both sides of the ball, beginning with the quarterback and end positions.

With the graduation of Matt Rende, the Rams open the season with a quarterback battle between two sophomores, Luke Duncklee and Nick Lucas. Defensive end Cam O'Brien also graduated.

"We're going to be young," Vachon said. "We have a few seniors who will be good for us, but we'll be young."

The top returning seniors include wide receivers Raymond Cotnoir and Shane Hazzard. Vachon also expects a big season from T.J. Vallee, who will see time at fullback and defensive end, and junior running back/linebacker Chris Robinson.

"Vallee didn't play a lot last year, but he will definitely be looked upon to make an impact this year," Vachon said. "We thought we had a pretty good run at end of the season. We had a great year."

Greg O'Neill will move from split end to the backfield this season for the Rams.

Last season, Messalonskee's Dylan Foster started the season third on the depth chart at quarterback. When injuries forced Foster into action, he played well, and now the junior has the starting job.

"There's not much that bothers Dylan," coach Wes Littlefield said. "He just gets after it."

Matt Stewart, who began last season as quarterback, joins Andy Breton and Andy Nutter in the backfield. Tight end Chris Pelletier and center Kyle Grover are three-year starters.

Eric Caron, another three-year starter, returns at linebacker. Pelletier is back at cornerback, along with Brandon Hall.

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