Waterville builds on positive finish from last season

It was the kind of win you build a season on. So even though it came at the end of last fall, Waterville football coach Frank Knight has reminded this year’s team how it felt to upend Bangor in the Pine Tree Conference quarterfinals.

“It was considered quite an upset,” Knight said of the win, which had the No. 7 Panthers beating the No. 2 Rams 30-15 at Bangor’s Cameron Stadium. “That’s something that we take pride in. … We use it for motivation and [this season] we’ve talked about that feeling in the locker room after the game.”

It’s important to have some motivation, but the Panthers already have several key pieces in place for this fall. Waterville’s top rusher is back, and a versatile tight end should be the starting quarterback.

Senior fullback Matt Hilton, who rushed for almost 1,000 yards and was an all-conference running back last season, will key the backfield. Knight called Hilton the team’s “spotlight player” last year.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Brian Tormollan will likely be the quarterback this year, replacing Ryan Lockard. Tormollan was the backup last year but played tight end.

“He’s a lefty and we’re going to run some option with him,” Knight said. “He’s big and strong, throws well enough to be a threat.”

Junior Anthony Jabar has been converted to fullback.

Senior Dylan Veilleux is back at tight end. Junior Andy Livingston and sophomore Nick Stone, a first-year player, will see time as receivers.

“We really feel we have a really good backfield right now,” Knight added. “We need to have an offense that forces defenses to be disciplined by respecting all our threats, not just Hilton.”

The lines will be a mix of experience. Junior Jason Stetson saw a little action last year as a center, while sophomore Johnny Hart is a returning starter.

“That’s the first time I’ve ever started a freshman,” Knight said. “He’s also a great leader.”

Juniors Sam Bernhardt and Nick Champagne and senior Mike Rivera will rotate at guard. Junior Derek Tudela will play right tackle with junior Nick Roy getting some time there, too.

The defensive linemen include Tudela, Stetson, and seniors Siddique Haq and Sean Gamache.

Hilton has been moved from defensive back to inside linebacker. Hart and Rivera are returning linebackers, while Tormollan and Jabar are back as safeties.

“Those guys can hit and we feel they have good instincts, too,” Knight said.

Waterville will again use Hilton as a returner on special teams. He returned a punt 92 yards for a touchdown in the playoff win over Bangor.

With a fine roster of returning players, the Panthers are optimistic. And if they need any more motivation, they need only look at their schedule: Waterville is scheduled to play Portland at Fitzpatrick Stadium. Not only is Fitzpatrick the Bulldogs’ home field, but it’s also the site of this year’s state championship games.

“We’ll have an opportunity to play on that field, which may just plant the seed that the guys want to come back and play [in the state game],” Knight said.

WATERVILLE PANTHERS

2002 results: 5-5, lost in PTC semifinals

Head coach: Frank Knight, 14th year

Key players: Brian Tormollan, Sr., QB-S; Matt Hilton, Sr., HB-LB; Anthony Jabar, Jr., FB-DB; Dylan Veillieux, Sr., TE-DE; Jason Stetson, Jr., C-DL; Johnny Hart, So., OT-LB; Mike Rivera, Sr., OG-DL; Andrew Livingston, Jr., WR-CB; Siddique Haq, Sr., DL; Sean Gamache, Sr., DL

Outlook: The Panthers will focus on the run, but Knight feels he has the receivers to throw to sometimes, too. Waterville will use a 5-2 base defense, but could go to some 5-3 as the season progresses. Backup quarterback Kevin Scott is the brother of Brian Scott, who was the University of Maine’s starting quarterback in 1999. The Panthers had 60 players in practice sessions.