Hackett manages Rams to ‘A’ title game

BANGOR – Brian Hackett has thrived in the background during much of Bangor High’s run toward Saturday’s Class A football state championship game.

Such is the role of a quarterback in an offense geared toward a punishing push of the football up and down the field via the run.

The strategy has worked. The Rams have a 1,479-yard rusher in junior Nick Payson, and in most cases this fall Bangor’s big, physical offensive line has worn down defenses, leading to second-half success.

Hackett’s mission has been largely one of management, of getting the ball to the right people at the right time, and understanding the needs of the offense at given points in the game.

“With the style of offense we run we had to have someone who could manage a game, to always be aware of down and distance, and to make smart decisions with the ball,” said Bangor offensive coordinator John Tennett. “Our special teams and defense are always solid. Offensively we feel we need to be physical, that’s the tone we want to set.”

But that’s not to say Hackett doesn’t have big-play capability, particularly with a passing arm capable of gliding spirals far downfield to capable receivers such as Anthony DeRosa, T.J. Vanidestine and Aaron Gallant.

Were it not for his passing skills, in fact, Bangor might not be squaring off against undefeated Bonny Eagle in a 2:30 p.m. start at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland.

Hackett completed two passes in the Eastern A final against Skowhegan, but they went for 160 yards and two touchdowns – a 72-yard strike to Gallant and an 88-yard completion to DeRosa that led to the Rams’ 28-22 victory.

“We run so much, that’s what we base our offense on, so when we pass it’s usually open, and if we hit it it’s usually for a big gain,” said Hackett, who has completed 48 of 97 passes this season for 780 yards, an average of 16.2 yards per completion. “The receivers make great plays after the catch, they’re all good athletes.”

Hackett also has considerable athleticism in his background. The son of former University of Maine catcher Ed Hackett, he also is the cousin of Tennett, a former Bangor and University of Maine football standout, and the nephew of Bangor football coach Mark Hackett.

Brian Hackett also is a talented third baseman-pitcher for the Bangor High baseball team who hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps at UMaine once he graduates next spring.

He overcame reconstructive surgery on his right ankle last winter to earn the starting quarterback job this fall.

“I was kind of expecting to earn the spot,” he said. “Coach told all of us that we all had a chance to earn the spot, but we had to go out and work for it. I felt confident I could work hard all summer and get back into it.”

His growth during the season not only has involved game management, but self-confidence.

“I think he went from being real concerned and just trying to take care of himself to understanding the game to the point that he could take care of the team as well as himself,” said Mark Hackett. “That’s where we all hoped he’d get, but he had to make that jump in a short time because he had a bad ankle last year and never got that experience as a junior.”

As he has grown more comfortable running on the ankle, he’s also become a larger part of the Rams’ running game.

“There’s been countless time when it’s been third-and-short or we’ve been down near the goal line where he’s made some big runs,” said Tennett. “We don’t expect him to rip off 40- or 50-yard runs, but he needs to be a threat in the backfield and get four, five or six yards, especially those tough yards in short-yardage situations.”

For Brian Hackett, it’s all a matter of understanding his team’s needs. If they need a long pass, he’s shown an ability to throw it. If it’s short yardage, he’s developed the confidence to pursue it on his own as well as relying on Payson and the other weapons in the Bangor arsenal. He’s also not averse to the dirty work – Hackett serves as the team’s long snapper for punts and kicks.

“A lot of quarterbacks are great long snappers, it’s just a technique,” Tennett said. “I think Brian’s probably been doing it since he was a freshman, he just has a knack for it. I think it says something for how competitive he is, how tough and gritty he is, because not every team is going to use its quarterback as a long snapper. That’s how competitive he is.”

That competitiveness will be on full display Saturday, when the 10-1 Rams battle for their second state title in four years.

“I just try and win every game, that’s my goal,” he said. “I don’t care if I throw three touchdown passes or three interceptions, as long as we win the game, that’s all that matters.”