Black Bears’ seniors hand off legacy Group has set good example

ORONO – Thursday night, the members of the University of Maine football team gathered to hear the “Senior Will.”

During the ceremony, each of the Black Bears’ seniors gives a speech to team and bequeaths something valuable about themselves to the team about what the UMaine football experience has meant to them.

Collectively, this year’s 16 seniors have demonstrated the value of determination and resilience while setting a positive example for their teammates. They’ll lead UMaine onto the field for their last game Saturday at No. 1 New Hampshire.

“They’ve set a standard for us, a way to business consistently, on a day-to-day basis,” reflected UMaine coach Jack Cosgrove.

The true test of the leadership ability of the senior class came at midseason after UMaine suffered crushing back-to-back losses to James Madison and Hofstra.

“A lot of guys had to do a little bit of soul-searching and look in the mirror and say this game’s important, I’m going to do more,” Cosgrove said. “We did more.”

The Bears responded with a better effort in a loss to Massachusetts, then earned three consecutive victories.

“It’s a part of this class’s legacy that they’ve been so instrumental in [averting] what could have been a disastrous type of season,” Cosgrove said. “Each one of these guys, in their own way, has given us something that we’re indebted to.

The leadership component starts with the Bears’ two senior captains, center Ben Lazarski and linebacker Jermaine Walker.

Lazarski has anchored a developing offensive line, while Walker has been the catalyst for UMaine’s vastly improved defensive unit.

“It’s been my observation that both Ben and Jermaine have tremendous respect from their teammates,” Cosgrove said. “They’ve gone out and practiced hard and worked hard and modeled all the right things, so when they say something, it has a backbone to it.”

The offense has featured contributions from several seniors.

Wide receivers Kevin McMahan (1,916 yards) and Ryan Waller (1,877) rank Nos. 9 and 10, respectively, on the school’s all-time receiving yardage list. Tackle Ryan Bird has been a dependable starter for more than two seasons, while tailback Montell Owens has emerged as the Bears’ leading rusher (700 yds.).

Josh Radulski was an all-conference tight end last season but recently made the switch to offensive tackle to shore up the line. Chris Legree shared quarterback duties much of this season, while Dzigbodi Ababio has been a regular at the fullback/H-back spot.

“You look at how Ryan Bird has played through pain and Josh Radulski has changed positions to help us win,” Cosgrove said. “They’re tough kids, program kids, who know how to win.”

Senior reserves include wideouts Ron Waller, who has been injured this fall, and John Bartemus, along with lineman-turned-coach Brian Quinn, whose career was ended by injury last season.

Walker (team-best 105 tackles) is the unquestioned leader of a defense that welcomed the return of safety Jarrod Gomes, who has been a stabilizing force for the Bears.

“Jarrod Gomes has hung around for six years to get an opportunity like he has this year and has been such a dramatic impact guy on the development of our young guys in the secondary,” Cosgrove said.

Joan Quezada has started most of his four seasons at strong safety, while backup end Kurt Bulwith and reserve linebacker Justin Knox of Rome have made valuable contributions.

This year’s senior class has accomplished much during its tenure. Nine of the players have been with the program at least five years, having been on back-to-back Atlantic 10 championship teams that reached the NCAA national quarterfinals in 2001 and 2002.

That group has compiled a 37-22 overall record (.627), matching the UMaine record for victories in a five-year period set by the 1985-89 teams.

“I don’t know what their secret is, to be honest with you, but I know I’m impressed not only with how they conduct their lives but how they have led and modeled things for our younger players in this program,” Cosgrove said.