Broncs to ride seniors Groshon, Jewell among leaders

Mike Corneil, first-year Hampden Academy football coach, has something of a dilemma. He knows football. He knows his team. But he doesn’t know the opposition.

“It’s one of those things where, I think that I’m not that familiar with the league so I don’t know how strong we are. I’ve been around football. But I haven’t been into [varsity football]. I’ve been coaching freshman,” Corneil said.

Corneil takes over for long-time Broncos mentor Bob Sinclair, who left Hampden Academy to take an assistant principal position at Bucksport.

Corneil has spent the last six years coaching Hampden’s freshman team and that gives him a special insight into the program. He knows the personnel, considering he coached most of the players on their way to varsity football.

One player he knows well is senior running back and defensive end Brian Groshon. Groshon has the size (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) and toughness to be an effective runner and proved it last year when he rushed for 1,034 yards during a 4-5 campaign for the Broncos.

“Brian is really tough. He’s soft spoken, but on the football field he plays really aggressively. He runs the ball really hard and it usually takes more than one person to bring him down,” Corneil said.

Another senior, Tristan Grover (5-9, 165), will also line up in the backfield. Corneil describes Grover as elusive, with good acceleration, and as a team leader.

Taking the snaps will be yet another senior, third-year starter Evan Thomas.

“Coach Sinclair did a good job with him. We plan to open it up a little more with him. Pass the ball more. He’s got a lot of skill,” Corneil said.

The coach is counting on Eric King, a 5-8, 155-pound senior, to be on the receiving end of Thomas’ passes.

Three seniors will anchor both sides of the line.

Joe Bryant, who grew from a running back as a freshman into a 240- to 250-pound senior lineman, is described as aggressive and strong.

Ben Jewell, a 5-9, 200-pound offensive lineman and linebacker, is the team’s defensive captain.

“Ben is a hard worker, an excellent student and football-wise he’s very bright. He brings a great presence onto the field,” Corneil said.

Corneil also singles out senior Steve Clark (5-9, 215) as a mainstay for the Broncos on both sides of the line.

While Corneil says he doesn’t really know his opposition, he knows history.

“Obviously we can always count on Belfast and Winslow to be good. We play a tough schedule. We play two tough Class C teams in Foxcroft Academy and Bucksport.”

And Corneil also is realistic. He knows that although his team is just three years removed from the Class B state championship game, times have been tough for the Broncos.

“Winning takes care of itself. It’s not the end-all. We’re looking to have a winning record. I think we have the talent and the potential to do some damage,” Corneil said.

HAMPDEN ACADEMY BRONCOS

2000 results: 4-6, lost 33-14 to Winslow in LTC Class B semifinals

Head coach: Mike Corneil, 1st year

Key players: Evan Thomas, QB-CB, Sr.; Brian Groshon, RB-DE, Sr.; Tristan Grover, RB-LB, Sr.; Joe Bryant, OL-DL, Sr.; Ben Jewell, OL-LB, Sr.; Steve Clark, OL-DL, Sr.; Eric King, FL-LB, Sr.

Outlook: Mike Corneil enters his first year at Hampden Academy with a simple plan. He wants to play as many people as possible and keep his players fresh. The goal is to make the playoffs and then re-evaluate come playoff time.