This year, the Maine Central Institute Huskies of Pittsfield have something to prove.

After back-to-back 2-7 seasons, second-year coach Tom Bertrand feels this is the year his team can get back to the playoffs in a wide-open LTC.

“If we can stay healthy and be competitive, we can take the next step,” he said.

One player who may really help that cause is senior quarterback-safety Ryan Bennett, who can be dangerous when he gets into the open field, according to Bertrand.

“The option is one of our key plays, and Ryan will get many chances to run the ball,” Bertrand said. “He’s a natural leader, and has worked very hard on conditioning, and is always focused.”

Bennett attended a quarterback/wide receiver camp in Massachusetts along with receiver Marty Quint, and both are eager for their first game, according to their coach.

Bertrand said Quint is a good deep threat, but Bennett will also have a deep backfield with which to work, including senior fullback Jonathan Smith, senior running back Kevin Williams, and junior running back Phil Hendricks.

“We’ve got athletes who can catch and run, and we’ll spread the ball around,” Bertrand said. “I have lots of confidence in all those kids.”

One area where Bertrand is hoping the Huskies will improve is on defense.

“Mistakes up front plagued us last year, as some kids had injuries,” said Bertrand. “We had to shuffle some kids around, and the scheme was changed. It’s just a matter of working on fine-tuning our techniques.”

MCI will get a chance to fine-tune those techniques in a season-opening home test with defending Eastern Maine Class C champ Foxcroft Academy.

The Huskies are coming off a fine scrimmage against defending state champ Boothbay, Bertrand said.

“We looked for a hard-hitting first scrimmage, and that’s what we got,” Bertrand said. “Not a lot of kids missed assignments, and that was encouraging. After we fix the mistakes, we’ll be solid.”

Other key opponents for MCI include perennial Class C contenders Bucksport, Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln, and Stearns of Millinocket.

MCI HUSKIES

2002 results: 2-7, 7th in LTC Class C

Head coach: Tom Bertrand, 2nd year

Key players: Ryan Bennett, QB-S, Sr.; Jake Laselle, WR-CB, Sr.; Marty Quint, WR-CB, Jr.; Kevin Williams, WR-CB, Sr.; Phil Hendricks, RB-DE, Jr.; Jason Hall, G-DE, Sr.

Outlook: After a rough going in 2002, the Huskies may surprise some people in LTC Class C. Despite having many young players on the lines, the skill positions are strong, and defenses must be aware of quarterback Ryan Bennett’s scrambling abilities.