It’s raining for the first time in three weeks, and the Foxcroft Academy football team is reveling in its wet practice field. In fact, when Ponies coach Paul Withee calls out the air raid drill, which consists of a sprint alternated with squiggling on the ground, the muddy, soaked team is energized.

There are a lot of reasons to be excited and to work hard regardless of the weather at Foxcroft this year. The Ponies were the Eastern Maine Class C runners-up last year. They lost seven seniors to graduation, but return seven starters on offense and another seven on defense.

Foxcroft’s all-star backfield is experienced, the holes on the lines seem to have been plugged, the receiving corps and secondary are huge, and the quarterback had a breakout season last fall.

Now, Withee will see if all that can translate into an Eastern Maine championship.

Withee’s son Josh returns to lead the Ponies at quarterback. Although Josh Withee started off last season with a hip injury, he developed into a second-team LTC all-star. Senior running backs Josh Sands and Danny White, all-stars who combined for about 1,400 rushing yards last year, will anchor the backfield, along with 2001 backup Lincoln Robinson.

“We grew up together, so we pretty much know what we’re doing back there,” Sands said.

What if Withee wants to throw, which, according to his father, he will do a bit more of this year?

Withee will have six options at receiver, including 6-foot-6 E.J. Imbert, 6-6 Brandon Hall, and 6-0 Peter Gosselin. White and Sands can also play downfield – they combined for 429 yards on 25 receptions last year.

All of that offense means the Ponies will likely play a lot of option.

“I still see us being very diversified like we were last year,” Paul Withee said. “I’d like to throw the ball a little bit more, try to utilize some of our team speed and size to our benefit.”

Foxcroft’s biggest graduation losses came at center, left guard, and left tackle. But the Ponies do have a lot back there, too, including standouts Ryan McNulty (team-high 78 tackles), Trey Merrill (70 tackles), and three-year starter Brandon Croan.

“We’ve had a few guys who have to step up and play in different positions,” Merrill said. “Everyone else who stepped in, I don’t see any weaknesses. Sure, they’ll need game experience, but I’m real excited.”

Not much about the defense will change, which is probably a good thing. The Ponies allowed only 148.4 yards per game, second-best in the league.

“Our secondary’s big all the way across, especially with E.J. back there,” said White, who is a cornerback on defense. “He’s so tall he can see the field, cheat to both sides, see where the quarterback is going. It’s a big advantage for us.”

Imbert, White, and Sands racked up a combined 118 tackles.

Just one thing stands in Foxcroft’s way: its schedule.

The Ponies have a midseason run that includes away games at other top Class C teams Bucksport, Stearns of Millinocket, and Mattanawcook of Lincoln. Foxcroft does have Class B powerhouse Winslow at home.

“We only have four home games, but I like our leadership and I like our chances,” Paul Withee said.

FOXCROFT PONIES

2001 results: 8-3, lost in LTC Class C final

Head coach: Paul Withee, 13th year

Key players: Trey Merrill, OT-DT, Sr.; Josh Sands, RB-ILB, Sr.; Danny White, RB-CB, Sr.; Josh Withee, QB-CB, Jr.; E.J. Imbert, WR-S, Sr.; Brandon Croan, OG-DE, Sr.; Todd Dow OG-DT, Sr.; Peter Gosselin, WR-DB, Sr.; Lincoln Robinson, FB-LB, Jr.; Ryan McNulty, OT-DT, Sr.

Outlook: Junior Chris Lewis will take over the center position after playing JV and backup to all-star Jeff Steinke. Bobby Gilbert, a transfer from Greenville who has never played football, could step in at defensive end. So could Mike Larrabee, a junior who lettered his freshman year but was out last season with a knee injury.