Adding Brewer, Winslow puts LTC in new era> Reclassification forces adjustments in classes

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The LTC has long been recognized for the close-knit relationship between its coaches and players and the hard-fought football it sponsored.

The conference will enter yet another new era beginning in 1991 with the addition of Brewer and Winslow to the ranks.

Dwindling enrollments at those schools, coupled with the recent reclassification of football, has enticed Brewer and Winslow to make a move toward a better future for their respective programs.

The additions bring to 16 the number of schools which will belong to the LTC next fall.

However, reclassification has also resulted in a shakeup of which teams will be playing in Class B and which will compete in Class C.

While Brewer and Winslow have joined Belfast, Foxcroft Academy, Hampden Academy, Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln, Messalonskee of Oakland, Old Town, Orono, and Rockland in LTC “B,” Bucksport, Mount Desert Island and Stearns of Millinocket are expected to accept their reclassification to Class C and not “apply up” to Class B.

Those three schools would team up with Dexter, John Bapst of Bangor, and Maine Central Institute of Pittsfield, the only three LTC “C” schools last season. As of Tuesday, Stearns and MDI had not formally announced their intention to remain in Class C, but were expected to do so.

Schools which intend to apply up must submit that request in writing to the Maine Secondary School Principals’ Association no later than Friday.

With 16 teams in the conference, Class B teams would likely play five or six games against each other and two or three against their Class C counterparts. The “C” squads would probably play five intraclass games, then two or three games against LTC Class B opponents.

“With Winslow and Brewer coming in, 16 teams works out nicely,” said veteran Stearns Coach Art Greenlaw. “The LTC has twice endorsed the concept of interclass scheduling.”

Greenlaw said the new additions will strengthen the already solid LTC.

“Winslow will be good for our league in that it provides Messalonskee a game where it will be a rivalry thing for them,” Greenlaw said. “I think Brewer gives the LTC a school that can appeal to the Bangor-area population.”

The Witches and the Black Raiders, who have spent many years in the Class A Pine Tree Conference, have applied for membership in the LTC after deciding to seek a better competitive climate. Brewer, with an enrollment of 780, should be better suited to the LTC environment, according to principal Jerry Goss.

“It was a natural move for us,” Goss said. “Our first and foremost goal was to put our football program in the most competitive situation that we could. It’s going to cut down on transportation costs and develop more lasting local rivalries that people will come to watch. Only time will tell, but I think we made the right decision.”

Brewer had its best season in several years last fall, compiling a 3-6 overall record.

Winslow, with an enrollment of approximately 550, had its worst football campaign in more than 60 years last season (1-8). Coach Mike Siviski believes the move to the LTC will enable his program to re-establish itself after a handful of lean years.

“Our enrollment figures are closer to Class C than to Class A,” Siviski said. “If we were going to be the smallest program in Class A, our program has got to be far superior to succeed.”

Siviski said the system is not in place to make that happen. Thus, the Black Raiders will reluctantly sever their ties with the PTC.

“It’s kind of a tough decision because there’s a lot of pride and tradition in our program,” Siviski said. “It’s probably the best thing for the kids. When the PTC got elevated to Class A, I think a lot of the schools elevated their programs. We’ve stayed about the same.”

The most difficult aspect of the switch for Brewer and Winslow will be giving up the longstanding rivalries they had developed in the PTC.

The move will be more natural for Brewer, which will substantially cut its travel as a member of the LTC. However, it appears as though the Witches will not be able to maintain their traditional rivalry against cross-river rival Bangor, at least as part of the countable schedule. It is possible that the two schools could meet in an exhibition game.

Winslow will give up a handful of intense gridiron rivalries, including games against Waterville and Lawrence of Fairfield, which are right across the river from Winslow. The Black Raiders, like the Witches, must develop relationships with their new foes in the LTC.

LTC Football

Proposed 1991 Realignment

(1990 classification in parentheses for those which would change classes) CLASS B

Belfast

Brewer (A)

Foxcroft Acad.

Hampden Acad.

Mattanawcook Acad.

Messalonskee

Old Town

Orono

Rockland

Winslow (A) CLASS C

Bucksport (B)

Dexter

John Bapst

Maine Central Institute

Mount Desert Island (B)

Stearns (B)