Chris LeBlanc remembers the good old days of Madison High School football.

The Bulldogs were a perennial Class C power in the 1980s and 1990s, winning six regional crowns and four state championships from 1982 through 1994.

Fast forward a decade and the Bulldogs are in a seven-year playoff drought as LeBlanc enters his fourth season as their head coach.

LeBlanc, who graduated from Madison in 1989 and played for two state championship teams, says if his squad is to end the drought, it will have to do so with one of his youngest teams.

“This, on paper, is probably my weakest team, experience-wise,” LeBlanc said. “We have only eight seniors on the team this year after having 16 each of the last two years and 14 my first year.”

Madison’s overall numbers don’t provide much more reason for optimism as the team will dress only 32 players.

Having such a young team provides LeBlanc and his few veteran players (four returning offensive starters, six defensive) with a test.

“We’ll have to be a little more patient because with so many sophomores, we’re doing far more chalk talk this season than we usually do this time of year,” LeBlanc said.

With such a small roster, depth – already a concern – could become particular problem if players aren’t physically ready to play a lot of downs.

“We have a new conditioning program and our condition and dedication isn’t at the level I’d like to see,” said LeBlanc.

With that in mind, the onus is on the Bulldogs’ young players to mature quickly and on the special teams – a particular weakness the last two years – to improve drastically this year.

LeBlanc says the ultimate factor determining whether his team can get back to the playoffs is whether his coaching staff can utilize the talent he has in the best possible places.

“We’ll run a lot of I-back, wishbone, and a lot of off-tackle, power, and counter stuff,” LeBlanc said. “We’ll certainly pass more than we have in the past.”Defensively, Madison will employ a 5-2 alignment and pinch the defensive ends while employing stunts and blitzes.

LeBlanc remains optimistic about his team despite its youth and inexperience.

“Our lines have great potential, and we just need to improve week to week and mature quicker than the norm,” he said. “The way our schedule is, we’re in the middle of the pack, but if we consistently improve and win some of those close games, we could be in the playoff hunt.”

MADISON BULLDOGS

2002 results: 3-6, 6th in Campbell Conference

Head coach: Chris LeBlanc, 4th year

Key players: Matt Stewart, TB-LB, Sr.; Tony Fortin, TE-FB-LB, Jr.; John Kalagher, OG-OT-DE, Sr.; Allan Berry, FB-TE-DE, Sr.; Paul Brousseau, WR-CB, Sr.; Justin Watt, QB-DB, Sr.; Tim Fortin, DL, So.

Outlook: This youthful squad needs veterans to lead vocally and by example. Quarterback Watt is coming back from a broken collarbone suffered in a motorcycle accident a month ago, and Stewart is coming off surgery to both knees and is easing his way back into the lineup. Everything depends on how quickly this group matures and gains confidence.