If they weren’t already called the Crusaders, John Bapst’s football team might want to go with a caricature of Rodney Dangerfield as its team logo.

Like Dangerfield, the Crusaders haven’t been getting much respect lately, but they know it’s something you have to earn. It’s hard to earn respect when you’re coming off 1-8, 1-8, and 0-9 seasons the last three years, but the current group of players and coaches believe that’s exactly what they’ll be doing this season.

With 40 players out for the team, numbers are up and so is interest in the team. Much of the influx of new players is from the junior and senior classes. An offseason spent lobbying their friends and fellow students to try football has paid off for Bapst’s experienced junior and senior players.

“Our numbers are strong, we lifted and worked hard in the offseason, and we’re more serious and dedicated this season,” said senior tri-captain Ryan Carey. “The past couple years we’ve been talking about rebuilding and I think we’re there. We’re done rebuilding and we’re ready to go.”

New head coach Barry Terrill, a former Orono High standout, said, “I think on the whole, the fact there’s more numbers out really helps us. It lets us get ready for games more easily and we have depth to deal with injuries. We’ve been able to work the kids real hard because we don’t have to worry about having kids quit and not having enough players.”

The approach has been very successful as, rather than lose players, Bapst has actually added three since preseason began.

Terrill has taken to his new position with gusto. He will be the defensive, offensive, and special teams coordinator on the seven-man coaching staff.

“I’m kind of a control freak. I like to know that everybody’s on the same page. It’s more of a comfort thing for me,” he explained.

Terrill is switching from last year’s multiple-I to a double-tight end T-formation offense, something he’s very familiar with from his Orono days. The Crusaders will also use a 5-3 defensive alignment. He said the changes should help Bapst take better advantage of its strengths.

“It puts us in a better position to win and evens the playing field a little, especially on offense when you can run more deception and fakes,” explained the 22-year-old Terrill, who has served as an assistant coach the last three years.

Terrill spent two years coaching at Orono before becoming Bapst’s defensive coordinator last year. His youthful coaching staff appears to have already had a profound effect on Bapst’s young team.

“He fits the team perfectly,” Carey said. “We have an excellent relationship with him. The motivation on this team is right through the roof.”

“They know how to talk to us and show us what to do, so that’s kind of cool. They’re out there right beside us, getting us going,” said fellow tri-captain and senior Will Gramlich.

Confidence certainly doesn’t appear to be lacking at Bapst.

“Last year I was sick and tired of coming off the field after another bad loss, so I’m really looking forward to this season,” said tri-captain Colin Glass. “We’re motivated and we’re tired of being kicked around.”

JOHN BAPST CRUSADERS

2000 results: 0-9, 10th in LTC Class C

Head coach: Barry Terrill, 1st year

Key players: Josh Keefe, QB-FS, Jr.; Pat Healy, HB-CB, Jr.; Alex Rand, FB-LB, Jr.; Andy Galipeau, HB-CB, Sr.; Zach Cushman, HB-CB, Sr.; Brian Adams, C-DE, Jr.; David Cassidy, OT-DT, Sr.

Outlook: The Crusaders are hungry, motivated, and eager to win back some respect from opponents, who have had an easy time with Bapst the last three years. The goal is a win, and then another, and then another as this team is anxious to break a 10-game losing streak dating back to the end of the 1999 season. Defense will lead the way as most experience is concentrated there. Special teams should also improve noticeably.