Talented seniors could put Winslow in chase for title

WINSLOW – Two years ago, a talented sophomore class led Winslow to an Eastern Maine Class B championship.

Last year as juniors, they led the undefeated Black Raiders back to the regional final, where their season ended with a 21-10 loss to a red-hot Brewer team en route to that school’s first state title in 35 years.

Now they are seniors, and while Stephen Siviski, Justin Lindie, Kevin McCabe, Ryan Cosgrove, John Goulette, Brendan Weed and their classmates are a combined 19-4 over the last two autumns, they may feel like they have a bit of unfinished business remaining as they seek the school’s first state championship since 2001.

“We’ll be respectable,” said their coach, 21st-year Winslow leader Mike Siviski. “We try to take it one game at a time, but hopefully we’ll be respectable.”

Winslow boasts 14 returning letterwinners among its 46 players from grades 10-12, and nowhere is that experience more pronounced than among the core of three-year starters that have flirted with state championships but have yet to carry home the gold ball.

Lindie is a veteran tailback who combines sprinter’s speed with considerable agility, and should rank among the state’s top rushers regardless of class, as well as be a dangerous kick returner.

“He has been a mainstay for us for the last couple of years,” said coach Siviski.

Stephen Siviski brings a linebacker’s mentality to quarterback, which should be no surprise because he was one of the Black Raiders’ top tacklers in 2005 as an outside linebacker. Yet he also has boasted the finesse to complete more than 50 percent of his passes during his first two years as Winslow’s starting signalcaller.

“Stephen does a little of everything,” said his father. “He does a little passing, a little running, and he has a nice knowledge of the game.

McCabe was a two-way All-Pine Tree Conference first-team choice as a tight end and defensive end a year ago. He’ll continue to be one of Siviski’s favorite targets on offense, but the 6-foot-2, 218-pound senior will move to middle linebacker this fall to anchor the Winslow defense.

Goulette boasts sprinter’s speed at fullback and outside linebacker, while Cosgrove has complemented McCabe at offensive and defensive end and Weed will be a factor at wingback and in the secondary.

“We have below average size and above average speed,” said coach Siviski.

Seniors Brian Fogg and Matt Gould will lead the Black Raiders along the line of scrimmage, while Winslow hopes to get an additional contribution from junior Dan Clark, a 6-6, 275-pound transfer from Erskine Academy in South China.

Winslow also boasts a significant special-teams weapon in senior place-kicker Ben Poulin, who has made 122 of 130 career extra-point tries and has range to 40 yards on field goal tries.

WINSLOW BLACK RAIDERS

2005 results: 10-1, lost in Eastern A championship game

Head coach: Mike Siviski, 21st year

Key players: Justin Lindie, RB-P, Sr.; Stephen Siviski, QB-OLB, Sr.; Kevin McCabe, TE-MLB, Sr.; Ryan Cosgrove, TE-DE, Sr., John Goulette, FB-OLB, Sr.; Ben Poulin, PK, WB; Sr.; Brendan Weed, WB-DB, Sr.; Bryan Fogg, OL-DL, Sr.

Outlook: Talent, speed and experience at the skill positions make the Black Raiders a dangerous team that will compete again for regional and state championship honors. Stephen Siviski is a coach on the field, while Lindie is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. McCabe’s move from end to linebacker should enhance an already solid Winslow defense.