MILLINOCKET – Although Stearns started the 2001 football season with consecutive losses to Winslow, Belfast, and Bucksport, senior Matt Leino said the team was better than the record showed.

“We knew we were a better team than that,” he said.

Over the next six weeks of the regular season, the Minutemen proved just that by going 5-1 and clinching a playoff berth.

This year’s team is looking to build on that success, Leino said.

“I’m excited to see what we can accomplish this year,” he added.

A seasoned squad returns for second-year coach Chris Preble, who said the team improved from game to game last season.

“Once we got a win and saw how successful we could be, they knew they could play,” Preble said.

Returning defensive starters for the Minutemen include defensive backs Anthony Arsenault and Kevin McLaughlin, linebackers Derek DiFrederico, Nick Simon, and Ian Johnson, and linemen Craig Cullen, Terry Leet, and Nate Franck.

On offense, Stearns will be anchored by Arsenault, DiFrederico, Leino, and Johnson, among others, while Leet will anchor the offensive line. Other offensive linemen include Franck, Simon, Cullen, Aaron Jandreau, Matt Legassey, and Jack Panasei.

“I just want to get the best 11 players on the field,” Preble said. “If we can get the best 11 players on the field, we’ll be all right.”

Stearns will again start their season with perennial LTC “B” contenders Winslow and Belfast, along with LTC “C” champion Bucksport, in the first three weeks.

“We’re going to approach it the same as last year,” Preble said. “We play to win. We’re not going to play any game just to get through it.”

It won’t be easy to secure a playoff berth this season, the coach added.

“It’s going to be a dogfight,” he said.

STEARNS MINUTEMEN

2001 results: 5-5, lost in LTC “C” semifinals

Head coach: Chris Preble, second year

Key players: Nate Franck, DL-OL, Sr.; Nick Simon, OL-LB, Sr.; Nick Cullen, OL, Jr.; Anthony Arsenault, DB-QB-SE, Sr.; Derek DiFrederico, DB-RB-QB, Jr.; Matt Leino, Ian Johnson, LB Sr.; Terry Leet, OL-DL, Sr.; Aaron Jandreau, OL, Jr.; Matt Legassey, OL, Jr.; Jack Panasei, OL, Jr.

Outlook: The Minutemen will look to capitalize on their team speed this season in their quest for another playoff berth. Preble said the team also has more depth this season, particularly in offensive skill positions. Stearns again faces a tough early schedule, but proved last year that it could overcome a slow start.