Huge Old Town lines hold key to Indians’ success

OLD TOWN – It’s a fact that offensive and defensive lines are often overlooked when it comes to giving out credit in football.

That won’t be the case at Old Town High if the Indians have a successful season. Not only is the line probably the strongest area for the Indians, but at least one lineman is responsible for the squad’s numbers this year.

This summer, senior tackle Derek Perkins took it upon himself to recruit fellow Old Town students.

“I’d see someone riding their bike or something and ask them if they wanted to come out and play football. I’d call people up, stuff like that,” Perkins said. “We wanted to get kids out here and make this program one of the best in the state.”

Indians coach Keith Holland, who is new to the program this year, said he has about 35 kids on the team and could get a few more freshmen as school starts.

Regardless of who else comes in, Perkins and his linemates may hold the key to the season. The lines will be huge in size and value to the team this year.

“Controlling the ball will be a big thing for us,” Holland said. “We want to control the offense, the tempo of the game. Hopefully with our big people up front we can do that.”

Holland estimates the average size of the Indians’ linemen at 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds. The big standouts include senior Geoff Shorette (6-8, 310) and sophomore Tyler Eastman (6-6, 280). Perkins, Brandon Eastman, Mike Russell (a recently converted tight end-defensive end), and Jimmy Feero round out the top linemen.

“If we can get the line going, we’ll be pretty good,” Perkins said.

Last year’s top rushers and receivers Roger Cole and Adam Sokoloski (a combined 959 yards on the ground, 588 in the air) have both graduated. Their replacements will include senior fullback Brad Goody, senior tailback Chris Rand, Russell, and junior wide receiver Chris Degrasse.

Senior Jason Adams will start at quarterback for the first time this year. Adams was a freshman-junior varsity QB his freshman and sophomore seasons.

Holland said he will stick with the 5-2 defense that former coach Ian Braun instituted but will change the team’s offensive look.

“We’re going to an ‘I’ with a wing … we want to generate some more yardage and put points on the board,” he said. “It’s been a big adjustment for the kids. I like the defense. I think the defense that we’ve had is sound.”

There hasn’t been a problem getting to know Holland, the players said. He has coached wrestling at the school and is a social studies teacher there.

“He’s been rumored to be kind of a hard ass when it comes to sports,” Brandon Eastman said. “It’s a little intimidating at first. … He’s bringing a lot to the program. We’re more enthusiastic this year. We’re just trying to get things going in the right direction.”

OLD TOWN INDIANS

2001 results: 2-7 in LTC Class B

Head coach: Keith Holland, 1st year

Key players: Brandon Eastman, TE-DE, Sr.; Geoff Shorette, OT-DT, Sr.; Brad Goody, FB-LB, Sr.; Mike Russell, TE-DE, Sr.; Chris Rand, TB-FS, Sr.; Derek Perkins, OT-DT, Sr.; Jason Adams, QB-CB, Sr.; Chris Degrasse, WR-CB, Sr.; Tyler Eastman, OT-DT, So.; Jimmy Feero, C-DT, Jr.

Outlook: The Indians will kick off their season with an eagerly awaited game against rival Orono (the Red Riots won the matchup last season). Holland’s assistant coaches include former Old Town standout T.J. Smart; recent OT graduate and quarterback Keenan Goslin; Steve Boyd, who is the only holdover from Ian Braun’s staff; former UMaine fullback Lamin Sisay; and Pat Munzing, a former Gardiner star RB-LB.