DOVER-FOXCROFT — This year’s Foxcroft Academy football team is all about making the best of your chances.

With four of the best players in the LTC Class C starting last year, several talented underclassmen had to sit on the bench. This season they get their shot at helping the Ponies get to the Eastern Maine championship game for the fifth year in a row.

“We have some kids who have been waiting in the wings for their opportunity,” coach Paul Withee said. “There are a number of kids who have a chance to put up or shut up. They know the pressure on them to perform and that there’s someone waiting if they’re not successful.”

Junior Brian Bellemare watched last year as standout Ben Preston rushed for 1,462 yards in the regular season alone. Bellemare gets the tailback spot this season and will also handle the placekicking duties.

Playing behind Preston and fullback Adam Harvey, Bellemare got only 17 carries and rushed for 134 yards.

“I feel pressure, but I know I can’t live up to [Preston],” Bellemare said. “Ben was a power runner, I’m a little scatback. I just have to run my own style, get a few yards a game, help the team win.”

Senior Josh Roberts takes over at quarterback after backing up Brock Hartford last year. Withee said Roberts has throwing ability, but the offense will be more option-oriented than it has been in the past.

“[Roberts] is a kid who wants to run the football,” Withee said. “He’s not necessarily a prolific passer, but he gets the job done when he needs to. He’s already asked when we are going to put this sweep play in or that play, where he can have access to the ball.”

Roberts will also start at one of the cornerback spots, which marks the first time Withee has started his quarterback on defense.

“I like playing defense better,” Roberts said. “I like to fly around and hit people.”

Foxcroft also has four of its five starting linemen back. The offensive line averages 219 pounds.

“Because of the size of our line, we’ll be more of a grind-’em-out team,” Withee said. “I think we’ll cause some matchup problems. And our tight end is at 220. That’s not bad at all.”

Linebackers Josh and Lucas Talbot also return. The brothers each recorded 33 tackles last season, when Preston, Harvey, and C.J. Ewer made most of the hits.

The Ponies also want to erase memories of last year’s devastating loss in the Class C state championship game, when Lisbon drove 97 yards for the winning touchdown in the final five minutes of the game.

To Roberts and Bellemare, last season isn’t of much concern. Senior guard-linebacker Jacob Brooks said that’s not the case for him.

“It was tough to lose at the very end,” said Brooks, who has been starting for three years. “Every day when we go through drills we remember the last 4:30 of the game. It makes you work even harder to get back.”

Foxcroft Academy Ponies

1997 results: 10-2, lost in Class C state final

Head coach: Paul Withee, ninth season

Key players: Josh Roberts, QB-CB, Sr.; Brian Bellemare, TB-S-PK, Jr.; Lucas Talbot, HB-LB, Sr.; Josh Talbot, FB-LB, Sr.; Jacob Brooks, OG-LB, Sr.; Randy Kluj, WR-DB, Sr.; Rob Vigue, OT-DT, Jr.; Brian Charles, WR-DE, Sr.; Tristan Mullis, OT-DT, Jr.; Garrett Smith, FB-CB, Sr.

Outlook: Despite losing a number of standout players, including one of the state’s top tailbacks, the 48-member Foxcroft squad should again be one the top teams in the LTC Class C. The Ponies will run more option plays on offense and the experienced offensive line should help. Withee feels his team can defend its Eastern Maine championship.