WINSLOW – Winslow High School’s bid for a third straight state Class B championship ended not on the football field last fall, but at a meeting three days after the Black Raiders’ final game.

It took three tiebreakers to determine which two teams from among Winslow, Morse of Bath, and Leavitt of Turner Center would qualify for the Eastern B playoffs – and the third tiebreaker left Winslow out of the postseason equation for the first time since 1990.

“Last year was a big disappointment. We didn’t feel good about it,” said senior guard and linebacker Shawn Poulin. “We’ll use it as motivation, not as a bad point, but as positive motivation this season.”

Poulin is one of 20 seniors anchoring coach Mike Siviski’s club’s bid to return to the top of the Eastern B – now Pine Tree Conference Class B – ranks.

One graduate the Black Raiders will be without is tailback Ricky Vigue, a 1,000-yard rusher as a junior who gained more than 800 yards last fall despite injury problems.

“This year the story is how we handle life without Ricky, because we really only had four key seniors last year,” said Siviski.

Junior speedster Ryan Lindie is expected to step in at tailback. He will be surrounded by a cast of seniors that includes quarterback Josh LaPointe, tight ends Ben McPherson and Jake Welch, and an offensive line featuring all-conference performers Poulin, tackle Chris Desrosiers, and center Nick Souviney.

“The athleticism on our line should be outstanding,” said Siviski.

That athleticism also translates to the defensive side, where Poulin, Desrosiers, Souviney, Welch, and McPherson team with nose guard Josh Bellows, tackle Nick Jose, and ends Derek Runnells and Jason Shorey to give Winslow a solid mix of size, speed, depth, and experience near the line of scrimmage.

“The senior group made a commitment during the off-season,” Siviski said. “There’s a group that really worked hard to get themselves in good condition.”

Overall, Winslow has 45 players among its sophomore, junior, and senior classes, depth that will be tested early as nine players are academically ineligible for the Black Raiders’ first two games.

“It’s something we’ll have to work through,” Siviski said.

The 18-year Black Raiders coach is hopeful the leadership of his senior class not only will help get the team through those shorthanded games against Gorham and Old Town, but put Winslow in position for a third state title in four years.

“We know it takes a lot more than just showing up to win games,” said Desrosiers. “You just can’t show up on Friday nights and Saturdays and expect to win games. There’s a lot of work that goes into it, too.”

WINSLOW BLACK RAIDERS

2002 results: 5-4, 5th in LTC B

Head coach: Mike Siviski, 18th year

Key players: Chris Desrosiers, OT-DT, Sr.; Nick Souviney, C-LB, Sr.; Shawn Poulin, OG-LB, Sr.; Justin Shorey, OT-DE, Sr.; Josh LaPointe, QB, Sr.; Josh Bellows, NG, Sr.; Eric Lopez, WR-DB, Jr.; Jake Welch, TE-DE, Sr.; Ryan Lindie, TB-DB, Jr.; Ben McPherson, TE-LB, Sr.; Derek Runnells, FB-DE, Sr.; Marty McCaslin, FB, Sr.

Outlook: The Black Raiders feature five seniors – Souviney, Desrosiers, Poulin, Runnells and McPherson – who started as sophomores when Winslow won its last state championship. With a senior-laden roster, Winslow should be one of the prime contenders for regional and state supremacy in Class B.