Brewer hosts Rams in 92nd clash tonight

Maroon and White doesn’t mix with Orange and Black, especially on the football field.

Yet, the combination does create a pageantry of color and excitement once a year when Bangor and Brewer renew their traditional gridiron rivalry.

The Rams and Witches will write another chapter in the storied, 89-year-old series when they clash Friday at 7 p.m. at Doyle Field in Brewer.

This year’s contest marks the 92nd meeting between the two teams since they first played in 1903. Bangor has dominated the series with a 65-18-8 record, including eight consecutive victories since 1978.

Because of Brewer’s switch out of the Pine Tree Conference and into the LTC Class B ranks, the ’91 edition of the Brewer-Bangor game has been moved into the preseason. Officially, it is an exhibition game, one which will have no bearing on either team’s league standing or overall record.

However, there will be no modified rules as is often the case in exhibitions.

The exhibition status will give this year’s game a slightly different flavor, although Bangor Coach Bruce Morse and Brewer Coach Dan O’Connell expect the same kind of intensity from their players that has always bethe same kind of intensity from their players that has always been associated with the game.

“I think when we hit the field on Friday night, to them (the players) it’s the Brewer-Bangor game,” O’Connell said. “Typically, there’s a lot at stake as far as pride and so forth. It’s a pretty good start to the year as far as setting the tempo. It’s a great rivalry.”

Brewer and Bangor still have plenty of positions to fill, since Friday marks the end of only the second week of the three-week preseason. Even though both squads will be out to win, O’Connell and Morse must make personnel decisions.

The Bangor-Brewer game will give them the chance to look at their players in a game situation. This year, moreso than usual, there is a distinct air of uncertainty surrounding the outcome.

“Very rarely do we see overconfidence on the part of one team or the other,” Morse said, “especially in the Bangor-Brewer game, and especially this early in the season when so much is new and tentative.”

“This game is really going to test some people,” O’Connell said. “It’s going to be a really good way of evaluating what the kids can do. We’re anxious to get going.”

The Witches, who finished 3-6 last season in the Pine Tree Conference, have considerably more experience going into Friday’s game. Brewer returns a large corps of lettermen, which is no surprise, considering the fact O’Connell tries to give as many players as possible a chance to play.

Among the veterans are senior co-captains Curt Bridges and Mike Friel. Bridges will see duty at running back and linebacker. Friel, a 220-pounder, is a two-way tackle. Brewer returns several skill position players, including junior back Kevin Rogers, senior back Larry Brooks and senior quarterback-defensive back Kevin McGrath and senior QB-DB Gabe Rios.

Senior lineman-linebacker Jeff Fogg and defensive ends Brian Mack, a senior, junior Andrew King and Brooks also have seen considerable playing time.

Bangor, which also went 3-6 during its 1990 PTC campaign, is not overly blessed with veteran talent. The Rams’ nucleus was diminished by the loss of senior quarterback John Tennett (broken arm) in a preseason basketball injury.

Senior captain Brian Isaacs spearheads the Rams at fullback and/or tackle and on defense. Two-way starter Robbie Estey, a junior running back and linebacker, joins senior OL-DE Jerry Hewes, senior lineman Chris Chamberlain and junior linemen Chris Steeves on the list of Rams who boast varsity Senior Josh McNeilly, a transfer from Rockland, will step in at quarterback along with promising freshman Mark McEwen. Seniors Gary Martin and Steve Subjoc are also expected to step right in and play.

Both coaches expect to find out Friday night who will be making the start in their respective Sept. 6 league openers.

TICKETS: Admission prices for the Bangor-Brewer football game Friday evening at Brewer are $3 for adults and $2 for students.