In sandlot baseball, there’s an old saying: “You have to earn your ups.”

Such is the case with the Belfast High School football team.

The Lions have established themselves as perennial title contenders in the LTC Class B ranks. They have done so by cultivating young players who work hard, wait their turn behind talented starters, and eventually develop into varsity-caliber performers as upperclassmen.

With 18 seniors, including the entire starting offensive unit, having graduated, co-coaches Butch Arthers and Butch Richards are counting on a nucleus of 11 seniors to set the tone for another successful season.

“You get these kids playing on the ‘look’ teams against better players and what it does is make them better players,” said 12th-year coach Arthers. “By the end of the season, they’re ready.”

They’d better be, according to Arthers, as Leavitt of Turner Center and Morse of Bath have joined the already tough LTC after playing in Western Maine.

Belfast features an explosive wing-T style of offense that keeps defenses guessing with a versatile array of run and pass plays. With 5,000-yard rusher Jeff Parenteau gone, the Lions are looking for a new man to lead the ground assault.

Junior Josh Aldus, one of a handful of players with limited varsity experience, moves into the tailback slot. He’ll be complemented by senior fullback Paul Herman, who combines power and speed.

“He could break a play any time he touches the ball,” Arthers said of Herman.

Directing the attack is senior quarterback Nick Arthers, who was John Lear’s understudy. Tim Morley and Garren Horne return at wingback, a position at which both saw time in 2002.

That group’s success will depend upon the development of an offensive line that is anchored by seniors Ronnie Morse (6-foot-2, 280 pounds) and Chris Hubbard.

“That’s going to be one of the areas we really need to improve at as the year goes on,” coach Arthers said of the line.

Belfast’s 4-4 defense will benefit from the experience of three returning starters at linebacker in Arthers, Herman, and Morley. Morse and Hubbard both played quite a bit at tackle a year ago, but the secondary has been completely revamped.

Another promising prospect is two-way end Matt Cole, who is among the upperclassmen who have prepared themselves to have a productive senior season.

Coach Arthers said the Lions likely will be going with more two-way players this season.

“It’s something that we’re not used to,” he said.

Arthers hopes this year’s team can draw off the success of its predecessors and incorporate its collective knowledge and experience into another run at the title. While the coach said the Lions have a long way to go in terms of progress, their goals remain high.

“This group of seniors, they’ve participated in three LTC championships and won one, and gone to a state game,” Arthers said. “I think their aspirations certainly have to be to get back to that league championship game and hopefully have a chance to go to the states again.”

BELFAST LIONS

2002 results: 11-1, lost to Scarborough in state championship game

Co-head coaches: Butch Arthers, 12th year; Butch Richards, 4th year

Key players: Nick Arthers, QB-LB, Sr.; Josh Aldus, TB-DB, Jr.; Paul Herman, FB-LB, Sr.; Tim Morley, WB-LB, Sr.; Garren Horne, WB-DB, Jr.; Ronnie Morse, OT-DE, Sr.; Chris Hubbard, OT-DE, Sr.; Matt Cole, TE-DE, Sr.; Josh Gallant, TE-ILB, Jr.; Nick Thomann, OC-DT, So.

Outlook: It might take a while for them to work out the kinks and develop a base of game experience, but the Lions could very well emerge as a championship contender. Success breeds success, and several former backups are now ready to contribute. If the offensive line can gel and the secondary gets seasoned, Belfast should have another outstanding year.