Skowhegan players, coach back after valuable year of experience

A year ago, Mike Marston was a rookie coach on a team with no returning starters.

After an 0-2 start, Marston’s Skowhegan Indians caught fire and almost upset their way through the entire Pine Tree Conference playoffs. The Indians wound up 5-6 as PTC runners-up after being edged by Bangor in the title game and Marston was named PTC coach of the year.

This year, Marston’s having an easier time of it in the preseason with seven starters back on a much more experienced roster.

“It really has made a big difference in preseason with a few experienced players coming back,” Marston said. “We have to rebuild our line from one end to the other, including tight ends, but we have a lot of skill players back.”

Chief among them are 6-foot-2 quarterback Mike LaCasse, halfback Aaron Chambers and fullback Josh Whiting – all seniors who know much better the intricacies of Skowhegan’s wing-T/double wing offense.

“Passing could be more of a strength this year, and we want to be able to run a lot, although we lost [halfback] Jason Lisherness to graduation,” Marston said.

That might be tough to overcome if not for the fact that Chambers set the school record for single season rushing yards last season.

If he and the rest of the backfield gets enough blocking up front from a line that only averages just over 5 feet, 10 inches, and 208 pounds per man, the Indians could be primed for a return run to the PTC finals.

“We’re going to run off tackle better than we did last year,” Marston said. “The strength for us is the kids know the system and hopefully we’ll be able to get off to a better start, which is crucial since we have an abbreviated playoff format with four spots open.”

Defensively, Skowhegan will employ a base 5-2 set which can be switched to a 5-3 with a lot of two-deep defensive back coverages.

Returning starters Brad Beauregard, Aaron Chambers, Whiting and Matt Lisherness – all seniors – lead the defense.

Overall, the Indians are much more experienced than last year’s squad as many of the full-time starters have plenty of experience as part-time starters the last two seasons. They also have knowledge.

“We know what we are whereas last year we had no idea,” said Marston. “I really don’t have any concerns, to be honest, because the guys have really pulled together. The team chemistry is really awesome.”

The depth isn’t too bad either as the Indians have 45 upperclassmen on the team and another 35 on the freshman squad.

“Things are looking up for us, that’s for sure,” Marston said. “It’s definitely a lot easier than it was a year ago at this time.”

SKOWHEGAN INDIANS

2004 results: 5-6, PTC runnerup

Head coach: Mike Marston, 2nd year

Key players: Adam LaCasse, QB, Sr.; Aaron Chambers, HB-DB, Sr.; Josh Whiting, FB-DE, Sr. ; Brad Beauregard, OT-ILB, Sr.; Matt Lisherness, OT-DT, Sr.; Andy Bournil, SE-DB, Sr.; Lucas Cole, NT, Sr.; Ryan York, TE-DE, Sr.; Sean Cates, OG-ILB, Soph.; Greg Sayadiari, HB-LB, Soph.; Tucker Davis, WR-CB, Jr

Outlook: The Indians accomplished a lot when little was expected of them last year. This year, expectations are much higher, as is the spotlight. How quickly the offensive line gels will go a long way toward determining this team’s success this season.