Speed, depth keys as Ponies take aim at Class C crown

DOVER-FOXCROFT – At first glance, the loss of two quarterbacks and a slew of running backs might mean a football team had some rebuilding to do.

But this is Foxcroft Academy, where football teams have perennial success.

The Ponies have a new quarterback – he’s very new – and a couple of other new faces in the backfield.

But with most of the offensive line returning and a ton of receivers back, coach Paul Withee’s team looks to be on target for a sixth straight appearance in the Eastern Maine Class C final.

“The eight kids I lost [to graduation] were tremendous players,” he said. “But with so many kids and so much depth, we’ve got a number of kids that will be very good for us. We’re probably as fast and as strong as I’ve ever been.”

Senior David White will be Foxcroft’s new quarterback. White, the brother of former Ponies standout Danny White, was a second-team all-conference guard last year.

“He’s throwing the ball well, he’s an athletic kid,” Withee said. “He comes from a pretty athletic family.”

Over the summer White dropped about 25 pounds because he wanted to try playing QB. He also sprouted two inches to stand at 5-foot-6.

“I’ve always had it inside me to play quarterback,” he said. “As a lineman you have to know all the plays so when I switched over I knew them all. It’s in my genes, I guess.”

White will hand off to any number of backs – Withee’s squad is so deep that he’s got two strong players at each position.

“I don’t feel I’m getting a drop-off at all,” he said. “I’ve got David Frasz and Shayne Adkins on one side, Brad Bellemare and Jared Wright on the other wing, and Ian Imbert and Ben Provost.”

“We’re going to have a lot of speed,” said Bellemare, who rushed for more than 500 yards last year and is the top returnee in the backfield.

Imbert switched from receiver to fullback.

Four of five starters on the line are back this year and there are now five seniors in that unit including Shaw Weeks, who will also get time at running back.

“We’re very good up front,” Withee said. “We’re not big up front but we’re athletic.”

The speed in the backfield and athleticism on the line will translate to the defense, Withee added.

And the Ponies are hoping it help in reaching every team’s ultimate goal – a state title.

“I think every year since we were freshmen we go in and lose a ton of seniors,” Weeks said. “And every single time [people] say we don’t have any players, we’re not going to be that good. But every single time we step up to the plate and we’re No. 1.”

FOXCROFT PONIES

2005 results: 10-2, lost in Class C state final

Head coach: Paul Withee, 17th year

Key players: Shaw Weeks, OT-ILB, Sr.; Adam Dow, OG-DT, Sr.; Brad Bellemare, HB-S, Sr.; Ian Imbert, FB-CB, Sr.; Tim Nason, C-DT, Sr.; Bill Macomber, OT-DE, Sr.; David White, QB, Sr.; Adam LePrevost, OG-DT, Jr.; Mike Winkler, HB-OLB, Jr.; David Frasz, HB-OLB, Sr.; Jerod Rideout, HB-OLB, Jr.; Shayne Adkins, HB-DB, Jr.; David Farrar, WR-DB, Sr.

Outlook: Withee has been impressed with the results of an offseason conditioning program, including a weight-lifting routine adapted from Central Connecticut State, where Imbert’s older brother, former FA standout E.J. Imbert, plays football. Foxcroft’s captains have dedicated this season to Withee and his family after the death of Withee’s wife last spring and of his father in 2004.