Unproven players help Winslow roll to `B’ title

WINSLOW – Marc Hachey has a knack for making opposing defenses appear inept.

Winslow High School’s junior quarterback is a threat to go all the way on the option or the sneak. He can throw the football 50-plus yards, and with accuracy.

Hachey stands his ground under a heavy pass rush and delivers the ball, usually on target. He is a proven performer.

When preseason practice began in August, Hachey had taken only a handful of snaps on the varsity level. This year, he has been among the league’s best signal-callers.

Hachey’s coming of age is typical of the tremendous strides made by several Winslow players this fall. The transformation of unproven players into successful regulars has been instrumental in Winslow’s drive to an 11-0 record and the LTC Class B title this season.

Winslow plays Wells for the Class B state championship Saturday at 12:30 p.m. in Gardiner.

Winslow graduated 18 seniors off its 1991 squad, leaving many holes to be filled. The ’92 Black Raiders have responded beyond the expectations of the coaching staff.

“These kids were successful last year on the young level and we just didn’t know whether they could jump up and do this well so quickly,” admitted eighth-year Winslow coach Mike Siviski.

“We never thought we were going to be 11-0,” said junior Ian Poulin. “We knew we’d make the playoffs, but we never thought it was going to be like this.”

The Black Raiders have built around a handful of veterans, including senior tri-captains Doug Peters, Brad Vigue and Corey Martin. Peters, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound tight end and linebacker, ranked second in the LTC with 27 catches for 426 yards and second in tackles with 118.

Vigue (5-10, 201) moved from tailback to fullback, where he was a punishing runner and strong blocker while netting a team-leading 691 yards and 15 touchdowns during the regular season. He also was solid at linebacker.

Martin (5-11, 155), a three-year starter at center, was the lone returnee on the offensive line.

“We expected Peters and Martin and Vigue to really perform,” Siviski said. “We knew what they could do.”

Winslow’s tenacious defensive unit, which has afforded opponents 8.1 points and 196 total yards per contest, received leadership from veterans Peters and Vigue, along with junior LB Brian Gilbert and junior DB Todd Wentworth.

Gilbert has emerged as the team’s No. 2 tackler, while junior DB Chris Gilbert, the twin brother of Brian, has improved significantly. Junior LB Ian Poulin, junior LB Nate Poulin, senior DE Jarrod Williams and senior DTs Tom Markee and Lee Drouin also have become quality starters.

“We want the kids to have a lot of self-motivation, too,” Siviski said. “There are situations out there when kids rely on themselves. You can’t say, `hey, react to this situation.’ ”

The rebuilt offense had to replace both guards and both tackles. Junior guards Joe Pillsbury and Shawn Morneau, senior tackle Jeff Bard and junior tackle Peter Cayouette have helped pave the way for Winslow’s multiple attack.

Hachey, who completed 51 of 94 passes for 782 yards and eight TDs, also rushed for 334 yards and five touchdowns. His favorite target was the sure-handed Peters, who drew so much attention from opponents that the Raiders were able to attack other areas.

Vigue was Winslow’s workhorse, carrying 133 times (15 per game) and making defenses respect the inside run. That helped open up the outside game, where fleet junior tailbacks Todd Wentworth (570 yards, 5 TDs) and Chris Houston (273 yards) did their thing.

Junior ends Dan Ferrigan and Aaron Peters, along with Nate Poulin, helped balance the attack.

Siviski pointed to team unity and the continuity of the coaching staff as other factors contributing to the Black Raiders’ success this fall.

“We have a good blend of kids,” Siviski said. “The chemistry changes from year to year, but they get along with each other well. Also, we have a real good staff and haven’t had much of a turnover the last six or seven years.”

Defensive coordinator Jim Poulin, Bob Farrell, Rich Bard and West Littlefield round out Siviski’s corps of assistants.