Turnover ratio key for MMA Football Mariners hope close games will go their way in 2003

Maine Maritime Academy of Castine was on the brink of achieving a fair amount of success last season.

Instead, the Mariners lost four games by a total of 18 points, including a one-point loss and a two-point setback during the first three weeks. They wound up 1-8.

Coach Chris McKenney believes the Mariners, who return a solid nucleus from their 2002 squad, can turn things around this fall in the always-tough Division III New England Football Conference.

One of the areas MMA must improve upon to reverse its fortunes is turnovers. The Mariners coughed up the football 37 times last season while forcing only 23, a margin of minus-14.

“If we can play more consistent football and take care of the ball, not turn the ball over and cause a few in our favor, I think a lot of those close games can go our way this year,” said the Mariners’ third-year coach.

The MMA offense is bolstered by the return of several starters. Chief among them is junior fullback Don Thibodeau of Shawmut, the 2001 NEFC Rookie of the Year who sat out most of last season with an injury.

Senior quarterback Pat Bard of Winslow returns to direct the Mariners’ spread option offense, which also will rely on junior halfback Mark Googins of Scarborough. B.J. Dunlap of Norridgewock is the backup QB, punter and place-kicker.

The offensive line returns intact, headed by senior tight end Jamie Cunningham of Bar Harbor. Tony Signer of Greene, Jesse Hensley and Nate Hellen of Portland, along with Joe Crowe and Cam Rand, also boast plenty of experience.

“We still have a young offensive line, but they’re experienced,” McKenney said.

Cody Schmidt heads up the corps of wide receivers.

MMA ranked in the middle third of NEFC teams last season, averaging only 14.6 points and 265 yards per game. The Mariners were second in rushing (212 ypg), but leading ball carrier Justin Cummings has left the team.

“We’ll spread teams out and run a lot of different kinds of option,” McKenney said.

MMA mustered only 54 passing yards per game in 2002, throwing only 23 times all season.

The Mariners hope to shore up a defense that surrendered 311 yards and 27 points per game a year ago. Vance Gray of Brewer and Jared Slauenwhite of Bangor lead the charge in the defensive line.

Linebacker Dan Rosen, MMA’s leading tackler last season, also returns and will be supported by an experienced secondary that includes cornerbacks Brian Gerrish of Bailey Island and Joe Barrett, along with free safety Ian Hanson of Livermore.

“We have some returners that have two and three years’ experience,” McKenney said. “They’ll be mixed in with some new kids and hopefully they learn quickly.”

MMA, which has 50 players out for the team, hopes to get off to a good start in Saturday’s nonleague game at Mount Ida (Mass.). However, the Mariners must deal with a tough NEFC schedule that includes testy nondivisional foes in Curry and Nichols.