PITTSFIELD – Maine Central Institute returns its leading rusher, quarterback-turned-running back, Victor Quint. He is also the team’s leading tackler and had the most interceptions. The Huskies also bring back its sack leader, C.J. Laselle, from a season ago.

In contrast, the Huskies lost four starters from its offensive line.

But this past March, the Huskies suffered a greater, more unimaginable loss than losing any graduated senior. They lost Superman. No. 8

As the cliche goes, they have a lot to play for this season.

Josh Sawyer, a running back for the 2005 Huskies, died in a shooting death while he, his brother and a friend hunted last spring.

“We have a lot to play for this year, after losing one of our key players,” Quint said of Sawyer. “That’s going to motivate a lot of people. It’s going to be tough without him.”

As a sophomore, Sawyer close to leading MCI an upset win over conference foe Orono, with a rushing touchdown and a fumble recovery returned for a score.

Several players called him a motivator in the locker room, as well.

To honor the late running back, MCI will wear T-shirts with the Superman emblem and the No. 8 inside the Sawyer’s favorite symbol.

“He played the hardest out of anybody on the field,” Laselle said of his former teammate.

Laselle, Quint, and sophomore quarterback Zach Doiron agreed Sawyer will be missed, but there are players who can step up and help to fill his role as the season moves forward.

Coach Tom Bertrand remembered Sawyer as “a kid that we never had to worry about him going full speed.”

“Giving everything he had when he was down on the field,” the fifth year coach added. “The kids can emulate that and if nothing else, just try to mirror that a little bit. Then we will have some good things happen.”

As a student-athlete remembered by teammates as someone who buckled down to business when necessary, Sawyer remains at the forefront of the team’s mind as it attempts to improve on its 4-5 record in 2005.

“He was a special part of our program. A special part of our community,” Bertrand said.

“That’s not something you ever expect to happen. That’s not something you can prepare for,” the coach admitted. “Our kids, they’ve been just amazing. The support to the family, and [the team’s] commitment to honoring his memory, both on the field and off the field.”

MCI HUSKIES

2005 Results: 4-5, missed the LTC Class C playoffs

Head coach: Tom Bertrand, fifth year

Key players: Victor Quint, RB-DB, Sr.; C.J. Laselle, OT-DT, Sr.; Kevin Havey, TE-LB, Sr.; Domenick Frost, OT-DT, Sr.; Rodney Jones, RB-LB, Sr.; Jeffery Morton, G-LB, Jr.; Zach Doiron, QB, So.

Outlook: Quint’s move from quarterback to running back last season will benefit the Huskies, who will now have more weapons available. Doiron will look to throw to his aresenal of receivers, giving the Huskies a multi-threat offense. Complicating matters for the Huskies is the loss of Jeffery Morton, and three other projected line starters. Morton is out with a torn ligament in his knee and is expected to miss four to six weeks.