ROCKLAND – High school football is a team sport. You play 48 hard minutes, and in the end, you either win or lose as a team.

For the Rockland Tigers, that’s how third-year head coach Daryle Weiss views things for the upcoming season.

“Practicing at the Bubble [the Maine Sports Complex in Hampden] was a positive experience for the kids since I’ve been here,” he said. “Our goal was to come together, and we did.”

The Tigers are back on the prowl in LTC Class C this season, which means opponents such as Stearns of Millinocket, Foxcroft Academy, and Bucksport loom on the horizon.

“Playing football is playing football. The East showed lots of talent in the Lobster Bowl,” Weiss said referring to the East’s 55-8 win over the West.

Senior tailback Trevor Davis will have some big shoes to fill after the graduation of Mike Curtis.

“He will get the ball some more,” Weiss added.

Davis should get the ball a lot more in the inverted wishbone the Tigers will feature.

“We don’t even dare throw the ball. We only threw like five times all #last year,” said Weiss.

The Tigers aren’t allowed to play in the postseason, however. According to Weiss, the school’s enrollment is above the limit for Class C schools.

“We just want to go out there, have fun, and win,” he added. “Playoffs don’t matter, but wins and losses do.”

Weiss has some modest goals for his young bunch.

“We’re looking to go out there and play every play as hard as we can, and play every play as a team,” he said. “That’s what we believe in. The wins and losses will come.”

“Our main goal is attitude. We should get better as the season goes along,” he added.

Rockland has a pair of road tests to open the season when they visit the Stearns Minutemen in Millinocket and the Golden Bucks at Bucksport before returning home to face the Mattanawcook Academy Lynx of Lincoln.

ROCKLAND TIGERS

2002 result: 3-6, 8th in LTC Class C

Head coach: Daryle Weiss, 3rd year

Key payers: Frank Pavalkis, QB-LB, Sr.; Trevor Davis, TB-LB, Sr.; Nate Grade, SE-DB, Sr.; Wes Drinkwater, C-DT, Sr.; Brian Athearn, OT-DT, Sr.; Jeremy Thompson, OT-DT, Sr.; Greg Crupi, FB-LB, Sr.; Jake Newcombe, TE-DE, Sr.; Brett Simindinger, OG-DT, Sr.

Outlook: The Tigers are back in LTC Class C East, and this young team should be ready. Senior Trevor Davis will attempt to fill the void left by Fitzpatrick Trophy semifinalist Mike Curtis. The backfield in the inverted wishbone is more balanced.