HAMPDEN – After muddling through a fairly forgettable 2-7 campaign last year, the returning veterans on Hampden Academy’s football team weren’t sure what to expect in 2002.

So far, they’ve come to like what they’ve seen in the preseason.

Rookie head coach John Sparacio has instituted sweeping changes, including the installation of pro-style sets on both sides of the ball. And despite the wealth of material that Hampden’s players have had to study and memorize, they’re excited about the direction Broncos football is going.

“The whole deal is new, and that’s definitely exciting, especially since this is my senior year,” said senior team captain Ryan Bennett. “I hope this is the year we can get back in the playoffs.”

The Broncos’ playoff hiatus has only lasted one year, but they’re anxious to get back in.

“Compared to last season, no one thinks about that. No one likes to think about that,” said sophomore captain and two-year starter Ramsey Lafayette, who suffered a knee injury and will miss at least two weeks and possibly the season.

Although this is clearly a transitional year for the young Broncos, who feature 22 sophomores and 19 juniors on the 69-player roster, Sparacio hopes his team can learn enough on the fly and improve enough each week to snag a playoff spot in the process.

“That’s what we’re looking for is that first step to get into the playoffs and get our feet wet,” said Sparacio, a Noble, N.J., native who used to vacation in Maine as a child.

Sparacio, who played against Heisman Trophy winner Mike Rozier in high school, decided to return to Maine after serving in the Army in Germany.

“I moved to here in 1993. I worked with Bob [Sinclair] as a freshman assistant,” he said.

Sparacio has served as a scout, JV coach (three years), and defensive coordinator. He has installed a multiple, pro-set offense utilizing twin sets and double tight end formations. Defensively, he’s switched to a 5-2 defense with four people in the secondary.

The Broncos will be more aggressive on defense and more free-wheeling on offense as Sparacio has gone from an offense that ran the ball about 90 percent of the time to more of a 60-40 mix, with most of that going to the passing game in preseason.

“We have a real good passing game going on, but we have to work on our running game a little more and we’re still learning our defense, but it seems to be working,” said junior captain and tailback-free safety John Higgins.

Hampden also shapes up well in terms of size with a 6-foot-3, 265-pound center; guards who are 5-11, 237, and 5-9, 191; and tackles who are 6-3, 268, and 6-0, 253. Throw in a 6-2, 247-pound tight end and the line looks solid.

Conditioning should be another factor in Hampden’s favor as Sparacio put the team through a tough two weeks of preseason.

“We’re definitely ahead of where we were last year,” said defensive captain and linebacker Kyle Dalton. “We’re in so much better condition than we ever were. We did triples last week and doubles the beginning of this week. I think it helped bring us together, too.”

HAMPDEN ACADEMY BRONCOS

2001 results: 2-7, second in LTC Class B North

Head coach: John Sparacio, 1st year

Key players: Ryan Bennett, HB-CB, Sr.; Kyle Dalton, SE-ILB, Sr.; John Higgins, HB-LB, Jr.; Jason Cross, OT, Jr.; Ramsey Lafayette, TE-DL, So.; Garret Bergey, ILB, Sr.; Brendon Murphy, ILB, Jr.; Jeff Snyder, WR, Jr.; Josh Whinery, WR, Jr.

Outlook: Hampden will have to win a game against Brewer, Belfast, or Winslow to take a big step this year, but the Broncos could still be a contender for a playoff slot if the sophomores and new junior starters mature quickly.