Brewer athletes return; Mattanawcook plans Curry tribute

Thirteen Brewer High School student-athletes returned to the playing fields this week after serving 10-day suspensions for violating the school’s athletic code.

According to Brewer superintendent of schools Betsy Webb, the student-athletes were suspended from their teams for being in the presence of illegal use of alcohol.

“Athletic codes are a good thing, because they give the student-athlete the excuse to leave a party,” said Webb. “Unfortunately, in this case some student-athletes made a poor choice, and they are being held responsible.”

According to the Brewer High School athletic code, a student-athlete found in violation of the athletic code for the first time in a school year faces a 10-day restriction from school activities if the violation takes place off school grounds, or a season-long suspension if the activity takes place within a school, on school property or in conjunction with a school-sponsored activity.

According to the code, violations subject to such a penalty include “self admission, proof of possession or use of, or buying, selling or distributing any intoxicating beverages, illegal drugs or look-alike drugs, or tobacco products (including chewing or smokeless tobacco). This may include, but not be limited to, being present in a vehicle transporting illegal drugs or alcohol, or knowingly being present in an area in which alcohol and/or drugs are present.”

Webb said after the incident involving the 13 student-athletes was uncovered, Brewer athletic director Dennis Kiah conducted an investigation and, with input from school principal James Frost, issued the suspensions that began Aug. 29.

“Hopefully those involved will learn from this experience, and we can move on from this and have a positive season,” Webb said.

Mattanawcook to honor Curry

Before members of the Mattanawcook Academy football team broke up their postgame huddle after defeating Dexter in their LTC season opener Saturday, they paid tribute to longtime Lynx coach, athletic director, and administrator Dale Curry with a brief chant in his honor.

The team has dedicated the 2003 season to Curry, who died of cancer on July 26 at age 64.

“He was a huge part of our program,” said senior tailback-linebacker Tyler Gardner. “He meant a lot to every one of us, even the freshmen knew him. It was a tragic loss he had to pass away this year.”

On Friday night, the entire Mattanawcook Academy community will pay homage to Curry when the school’s track and field complex is dedicated and renamed the Dale J. Curry Athletic Field during halftime of the Lynx’s game against Maine Central Institute of Pittsfield.

During the ceremony, anyone who ever played for Curry at MA will be invited to join together on the field, and a new sign that renames the complex will be unveiled.

Following the game there will be a reception in the school gymnasium, where friends and former players of Curry can reminisce about their time spent under his tutelage.

“We think it’s going to be a nice evening,” said current MA football coach Mike Carney. “We’ve invited everyone who played for Dale to come on the field and have a moment of silence for him.”

Dexter running back recovering

Dexter tailback Logan Schoenbacher, taken off the field by ambulance during the third quarter of the Tigers’ 30-14 loss to Mattanawcook Saturday, hopes to be back on the field this weekend.

The 6-foot, 180-pound senior was injured while rushing for a first down during the LTC season opener – and the early signs weren’t good. Initially he was face-down on the field, grabbing near his left knee.

But instead of a knee injury, Schoenbacher was diagnosed with a muscle tear behind his left calf, according to his mother, Elizabeth.

By Tuesday, Schoenbacher had discarded the crutches he took home from the hospital, was attending practices, and held out hope he could play Saturday when Dexter hosts Stearns of Millinocket.

“The doctors put him on crutches for a week, but he won’t stay on them,” she said. “He’s hoping to play Saturday, but we’ll see.”

Schoenbacher is one of the more versatile players on the Dexter roster, according to Tigers coach Haggie Pratt. He started the Mattanawcook game at offensive tackle, but moved to tailback in the second quarter and rushed for 52 yards on 11 carries before being injured.

“When you’ve got a team that doesn’t have a lot of depth, guys learn to play a lot of positions,” said Pratt. “Logan’s played several different positions for us, and he’s got a strong arm, so I wouldn’t hesitate to put him at quarterback if we needed him there, too.”

Ernie Clark may be reached at 990-8045, 1-800-310-8600 or eclark@bangordailynews.net