Mature MMA aiming beyond past 5-4 marks

Maine Maritime Academy opened its preseason football practice schedule Tuesday with this simple slogan:

No more 5-4.

After two successive 5-4 seasons which, incidentally, were marked improvements over the 2-7 and 0-8 campaigns that preceded them, fifth-year MMA head coach John Huard expects this year’s squad to take the next step in the Division III program’s progression. The Mariners expect to challenge for the New England Football Conference title.

“No question, if we end up 5-4 this year, I’ll be disappointed,” said Huard, talking from his office in Castine Tuesday between practice sessions.

Huard, offensive coordinator Dave Ingalls, and a coaching staff bolstered by the arrival of new assistants Jon Daniels (from the Citadel), Doug Albertsman (from Ithaca), Chris Lahey (Colby), and Chris Petino (Hobart) are basing their high expectations on the pleasant fact they will be working with a veteran cast of MMA players. Twenty-one starters return from last year’s competitive club. What’s more, the 60-man roster has taken on a more mature look.

“When we went 5-4 the past two years, we started nine freshmen both years,” said Huard. “This year we won’t start more than three freshmen. We’ve got some experience.”

It will be the juniors and seniors Huard will be looking to for leadership and performance, beginning with All-ECAC junior running back Kirk Matthieu. The 5-foot-7, 160-pound pocket rocket out of Lawrence High in Fairfield romped for 1,428 yards a year ago, good for first in the NEFC and fifth in the nation. Huard reports Matthieu is both faster and stronger this year.

“He went from a 4.63 (seconds in the 40-yard dash) last year to a 4.49 and he’s made a big improvement lifting. He’s squatting 520 pounds. For a running back, that’s impressive,” said Huard.

Also back is the senior passing tandem of quarterback David Robinson and wide receiver John Guss, who are this year’s co-captains. The duo hooked up for 52 completions, good for 592 yards and 6 TDs a year ago, earning Guss All-NEFC honors. They, along with offensive threats like fullback Real Grenier, tight end Charlie Mitchell, and a veteran offensive line should give the Mariners a balanced multiple attack.

Defensively, the team will look to senior linebacker Lance Stubinski, senior defensive back Dave Sterling, junior DB Keith Clardy, and senior tackle Mark Gay to stop the opposition out of the even front.

Top freshman expected to contribute immediately for MMA include linebacker Rich Letourneau of Fairfield, defensive end Mark Thomas of Lowell, Mass., offensive tackle Dan Burbank of Lowell, defensive tackle Charlie Bean of Kennett, N.H., linebacker Andy Adams of Fairfield, center Bruce Dostie of Waterville, and linebacker Matt Stafford of Winslow.

The freshmen will bring a rare commodity to Huard’s MMA squad – depth.

“That’s where we’re looking to improve,” said Huard. “This is the second year in a row the system stayed the same. The talent is consistent. We know what the players are capable of doing and how well they execute. Now, we’re polishing it up trying to refine it. We’ve already put so much stuff in we could play a game right now. That’s where we’ve made the advance.”

The Mariners open the season Sept. 14 at Westfield (Mass.) State. The home opener is Sept. 21 vs. Fitchburg (Mass.) State. This is the final year the NEFC will be in existence. The Mariners will compete in the Massachusetts Athletic Conference beginning next season.