DOVER-FOXCROFT – There’s a lot that’s different in Dover-Foxcroft this year.

Foxcroft Academy will be playing its games on a new field. The Ponies will be changing in shiny new locker rooms. They will be taking their cues from a new quarterback. And they will be hoping that their season has a different ending.

The Ponies have bowed out of the LTC Class C semifinals for three consecutive years. All three years they have fallen victim to the same team – Stearns.

“We want a gold ball … and to beat Stearns,” said senior guard and linebacker Rob Crocker.

The Ponies have the personnel to attain that goal. Foxcroft returns 17 letter-winners, including seven seniors.

The offensive line is experienced, with seven returnees. Coach Paul Withee’s team also benefits from an influx of top-notch athletes from last year’s undefeated junior varsity team.

Withee’s son, sophomore quarterback Josh Withee, will be trying to make the transition to the varsity level. He will battle with junior Danny White for the starting job.

Paul Withee said that coaching his son has been a new challenge.

“He’s our only son. … He’s been around the program since he was 5 years old, throwing footballs on the sidelines. … It’s a challenge, but it’s not something that I can’t handle,” he said.

The Ponies will be inexperienced in the backfield, as only junior tailback and linebacker Josh Sands played significant minutes there last year.

Withee hopes his team can make up for the inexperience with athleticism. Senior center and linebacker Jeff Steinke added that the backfield has shown itself to be exceptionally fast in the preseason.

Senior tackle and defensive end Brendan Robinson said that the team has worked harder in the preseason this year than any other year he has been in the program.

“We’ve been dedicated all summer long. … Everyone’s so pumped up for this year,” he said.

Crocker added that the Ponies’ new-found intensity has been sparked by a desire to make amends for their last three playoff losses.

“It’s kind of rough [losing in the semifinals]. I think we could have gone all the way with all three teams. I’d like to at least make it to [the] Eastern Maine [finals],” he said.

The Ponies have made the playoffs for eight consecutive years, and Withee is confident that trend will continue.

“We have the personnel. Other teams have lost some key personnel. … You’re not always going to be in an Eastern Maine championship, but we strive to do that,” he said.

FOXCROFT ACADEMY PONIES

2000 results: 6-4, lost in LTC Class C semifinals

Head coach: Paul Withee, 12th year

Key players: Jeff Steinke, C-LB, Sr.; Rob Crocker, G-LB, Sr.; Brendan Robinson, OT-DE, Sr.; Trey Merrill, OT-DT, Jr.; Josh Sands, TB-LB, Jr.; Danny White, HB-QB-DB, Jr.; Brendan Croan, G, Jr.; E.J. Imbert, S-WR, Jr.; Ryan McNulty, DT, Jr.; Josh Withee, QB, So.

Outlook: The Ponies have a potentially potent blend of youth and experience and should secure a playoff spot, though they may be a year away from contending for an Eastern Maine title. Foxcroft was next-to-last in the league in team offense last year (2,855 total yards) and will be looking to improve on that statistic. With the completion of their new field, the Ponies will resume playing their home games on Friday nights rather than Saturday afternoons.