With just five seniors on a team of 69 players, the Skowhegan Indians knew the 2006 season would be one of development.

This year, 21 of Skowhegan’s 72 players are seniors and another 19 are juniors, so the learning curve shouldn’t be nearly as drastic as it was last season.

Throw in the fact that head coach Mike Marston welcomes back eight starters on both sides of the ball and it’s understandable why expectations are way up in Skowhegan.

“We’re hoping to have a playoff spot,” said Marston, who is cautiously optimistic about his team’s outlook. “Most of the playoff games last year should be strong again, but we think we can contend.”

The 2-7 Indians were in eight of the nine games they played with only two losses being by 10 points or more.

“Hopefully, with more experience and better execution, we can finish off those games that we hung around in last year,” said Marston, who was already impressed by his senior leadership after the team’s first preseason scrimmage. “This is the best year we’ve ever had in terms of offseason work and their progress. Our execution and fundamentals seem to be much better.”

The Indians should feature some offensive balance with Erik Thistle returning for a second season as the starting quarterback. Several other skill position players return behind a largely veteran offensive line as well.

“I think we’ll throw the ball a little more and be better all the way around,” said Marston, who will run a lot of play action out of the double wing. “Hopefully we’ll be able to do more things with our running game in terms of disguising and misdirection.”

The offensive line is about 10 pounds heavier per player and the average size is about 5-foot-10 and 195 pounds per lineman. Plus, Marston has other solid linemen to rotate in and keep people fresh.

The right to run behind this solid line will go to the winner of the preseason halfbacks-fullbacks battle between senior Greg Saydjari and juniors Billy Clark, Cody Vigue, and Steve McDaniel, although all will get plenty of handoffs.

Speaking of handoffs, one of the focuses of preseason camp has been taking care of the ball and avoiding costly fumbles, a recurring problem last season.

Defensively, the Indians will use the 5-2 formation anchored by nose guard-defensive tackle Shawn Gray (a two-way tackle who was a tight end last year) and inside linebackers Saydjari and Scott Mitchell – all senior tri-captains. Junior Todd Stewart will be able to share time with Gray. It’s one of many spots Marston thinks he can use two-man rotations.

“I think with our depth, we’ll be able to rotate a lot of people in and out to stay fresh,” Marston said. “With 40 juniors and seniors, we want to play a lot of people.”

SKOWHEGAN INDIANS

2006 results: 2-7

Head coach: Mike Marston, 4th year

Key players: Erik Thistle, QB, Sr.; Greg Saydjari, HB-FB-ILB, Sr.; Scott Mitchell, OG-ILB, Sr.; Shawn Gray, OG-NG, Sr.; Zach Whiting, HB-FB, Sr.; Randy Watts, C, Sr.; Sam McGowan, DE, Sr.; Todd Stewart, NG-DT, Jr.; Luke Quirion, RT, Sr.; Bryant Lorette, LT, Sr.

Outlook: The Indians should be much more fundamentally sound out of the chute with so many returning, experienced players. Marston believes a veteran team will allow him to use more misdirection and play-action on offense to better disguise running plays. Having Thistle back gives them a passing threat, so teams won’t be able to load up against the run. Defensively, the Indians also feature depth and versatility, key ingredients for a playoff team.