All-PTC trio led Rams football resurgence

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John Tennett, Rob Estey and Craig Bowden will be able to look back on the 1992 Pine Tree Conference football season with a great sense of pride and satisfaction.

The trio was instrumental in helping Bangor High School make a significant turnaround. In the process, they are among those athletes honored as members of the 1992 All-PTC football first team.

The All-PTC honor roll was selected recently by a vote of the league’s head coaches.

League champion and state runnerup Lawrence of Fairfield headlines the squad with eight selections, including Fitzpatrick Trophy candidate Jared Libby, Josh Lanteigne, Josh Knox, Chad Anderson, Allan Fortin, Kelly Dyer, Scott Ogeka and Billy Cole.

PTC runnerup Cony of Augusta and Gardiner had six players each chosen. The Rams picks are Jon Russell, Mike Jowdry, Scott Harriman, Brian Varney, Todd Bernier and Bill Brochu.

The Tigers are represented by Chris Whalen, Todd O’Connor, Doug Morgan, Chuck Burns, Jerrime Collins and Jim Inabinet.

Also recognized were Chris Scott, Jason Plante and Chris Leavitt of Waterville; Tim Fogg, Ed Follette and Jeremy Tardiff of Oxford Hills in South Paris; Tyson Wehrman and Trent Robinson, Mt. Blue of Farmington; and Neil Jacunski, Morse of Bath.

Tennett is likely to go down as one of the greatest quarterbacks in Bangor football history. The lanky, 6-foot-3, 170-pound senior torched the opposition for 1,296 yards and an incredible 22 touchdowns last fall.

Tennett, the leading passer in the conference, completed 76 of 157 passes (48 percent) and passed for four conversions. He was intercepted only six times, once every 26 attempts.

Aside from poise under pressure and good mobility, what set Tennett apart was his ability to throw the ball downfield with accuracy.

“His sense of responsibility, his leadership and his work ethic are exceptional and, obviously, he has a great deal of ability,” said Bangor Coach Gabby Price. “Put all those together and you’ve got a tremendous athlete. He’s a quality human being and he’s way ahead of his years in some respects.”

Estey completed his career at Bangor as a steady and dependable player no matter what the assignment. While earning the nod as the All-LTC utility man, the 6-foot, 180-pound tailback finished as the No. 4 rusher in the conference.

Estey carried the ball 159 times for 971 yards (6 yards per carry), scoring eight touchdowns and punching in five extra-point runs. Estey combined power with speed and a hard-nosed, never-say-die style.

As the Rams’ punter, Estey was a potent weapon. He led the PTC with a 41-yard average on 25 kicks.

“He has the ability to do so many different things for you,” Price said. “As a back, he runs the ball hard and receives the ball well. Bangor High is really indebted to Robbie for all he is, what he has represented, and what he has done for the program.”

Bowden proved the perfect partner for teammate Tennett. Bangor’s junior split end caught the football more times than any other player in the Pine Tree Conference last season.

The 6-foot, 180-pounder made 36 receptions for 692 yards, a healthy 19-yard average. Bowden caught nine touchdown passes and had one conversion reception.

Bowden was an accomplished route runner who displayed good speed and outstanding hands, but it is relentless hustle that makes him shine.

“I think it’s determination that sets him apart from most high school players,” Price said. “He’s an extremely hard worker. He has a special ability to go all out all the time. He represents the way we’d like to have all our players be all the time.”

Libby, a 6-2, 190-pound tailback, was a major force in carrying Lawrence to the PTC title. The rugged senior combined breakaway speed with power while amassing 1,714 yards and 18 touchdowns during the regular season.

Robinson was a punishing linebacker for Mt. Blue during the ’92 season. The 6-1, 213-pounder holds the distinction of being the most prolific tackler in the PTC, making 131 hits (94 solos) and recovering six fumbles.

A complete listing of the All-PTC first and second teams appears below.

Pine Tree Conference

All-Conference Selections

First Team Offense

Name School Pos. Yr.

John Tennett Bangor QB Senior

Craig Bowden Bangor WR Junior

Rob Estey Bangor Util.-P Senior

Jared Libby Lawrence TB Senior

Josh Lanteigne Lawrence OT Senior

Josh Knox Lawrence OG Senior

Chris Scott Waterville TE Senior

Jason Plante Waterville OG Senior

Tyson Wehrman Mt. Blue TE Senior

Jon Russell Cony OT Senior

Mike Jowdry Cony FB Senior

Scott Harriman Cony Util. Junior

Brian Varney Cony OC Junior

Chris Whalen Gardiner TB Senior

Tim Fogg Oxford Hills OG Senior

Neal Jacunski Morse FB Senior

Ed Follette Oxford Hills WR Junior

Jeremy Tardiff Oxford Hills KR Senior

Todd O’Connor Gardiner PK Senior

First Team Defense

Name School pos. Yr.

Chad Anderson Lawrence NG Senior

Allan Fortin Lawrence DT Senior

Scott Ogeka Lawrence DE Senior

Billy Cole Lawrence LB Junior

Kelly Dyer Lawrence DB Senior

Chris Leavitt Waterville DE Senior

Trent Robinson Mt. Blue LB Senior

Todd Bernier Cony LB Senior

Bill Brochu Cony DB Junior

Doug Morgan Gardiner DT Senior

Chuck Burns Gardiner DE Senior

Jerrime Collins Gardiner LB Senior

Jim Inabinet Gardiner DB Senior

Second Team Offense

Name School Pos. Yr.

Chris Binder Bangor PK Senior

Alan Richards Lawrence TE Junior

Jared Libby Lawrence KR Senior

Woody Moore Skowhegan WR Junior

Brian Scott Waterville QB Soph.

Mike Hamel Waterville FB Junior

Hugh Clark Mt. Blue OT Senior

Ryan Keller Cony OG Senior

Angelo Rado Gardiner FB Senior

Tim Sullivan Gardiner RB Junior

Travis Dodson Gardiner WR Senior

Bernie McKnight Morse OT Junior

Jesse Artiaga Morse OG Junior

Brian Jack Oxford Hills OC Senior

Chris Nichols Brunswick RB Senior

Aryin Jacobs Brunswick WR Senior

Second Team Defense

Name School Pos. Yr.

Matt Nye Bangor LB Junior

Eric Murray Bangor DB Junior

Darin Carpenter Waterville NG Junior

Chris Fitch Waterville DT Senior

Trevor Moore Waterville DB Junior

Scott Petrie Mt. Blue DB Junior

Jason Mills Cony DT Junior

Steve Bell Cony DE Junior

Nate Danforth Oxford Hills DE Senior

Matt Luneau Oxford Hills LB Senior

Brian Rapoza Brunswick LB Senior

Honorable Mention: Bangor – Dean Heistand, Chris Steeves, Buddy Syphers, Ben Toole, Josh Jamison