New-look Red Riots aiming for playoff berth

ORONO – The entire Orono High School football program will have a new look this year, as new varsity head coach Bob Sinclair has revamped the team’s offense and re-established a freshman program in the offseason. Sinclair, who takes over for Wally Covell, has been a head coach for 12 years, including 10 at Hampden Academy.

Sinclair’s biggest change to the system thus far has been the remodeling of the team’s offensive formation.

“We’re going to run the football. We’ll run the Oklahoma split-T, so it’s a whole new offensive system for them. … We’ve simplified everything for them,” said Sinclair.

Sinclair’s new offense will include up to three running backs, powering the ball up the middle. However, Sinclair has not abandoned the passing game, and he hopes to use the run to set up the pass and keep teams guessing.

“We’re going to run the ball, and we’ll throw play-action passes off that, to keep people honest,” said Sinclair. Sinclair has helped develop the Orono football program since he took over the helm mainly through re-establishing the freshman team, which he believes is an important component to a successful program.

Not only does the high school have the freshman, junior varsity, and varsity teams running the same offense, but now the youth and middle school programs are running the same offense.

Sinclair said he plans to head up the football program for the foreseeable future, and he believes that if Orono players grow up learning the system, they will have a distinct advantage over other teams.

For a team that has not made the playoffs since 1996, confidence and team cohesion are Sinclair’s biggest objectives. Sinclair brings a “can- win” attitude to the team and thinks the players are really starting to believe in themselves.

“We feel really good about our team right now. You’ll see some good things out of the Riots this year,” he said.

Sinclair stresses to his players that football is a team game and as long as everyone is working together, good things will happen.

“I think one of the biggest things kids can learn through football is teamwork and cooperation, and everyone pulling together for a common goal – that’s what it is all about,” said Sinclair. “If everyone pulls together, like a big game of tug-of-war… if everyone’s pulling in the same direction on the rope, we’ll stand a very good chance.”

Sinclair says that the team goals for the season are straightforward – making the playoffs and being well-behaved citizens on the field.

“We’re going to win a sportsmanship award and make the playoffs this year,” said Sinclair.

While Sinclair is confident his team will make the playoffs, he knows that every team on the schedule is a potential danger.

“I don’t think there’s anybody on our schedule we can’t beat, but I also know that we can be beaten by anybody, so we’re approaching it that way,” he said.

ORONO RED RIOTS

2003 results: 3-6, 7th in LTC Class C

Head coach: Robert Sinclair, 1st year

Key players: Adam Chase, QB, Sr.; Joe Fullwood, FB, Sr.; Mardy Simon, HB, Jr.; Joe Simon, TE, Sr.; Mo Nazmy, HB, Sr.

Outlook: The Red Riots lost only five seniors from last year. The Riots will run a new offensive formation this year, looking to run the ball more.