Mattanawcook determined to claim championship title

LINCOLN – For the last two years, the Mattanawcook Academy football team has been one victory away from its first LTC championship since 1999.

However, one thing has stood in the Lynx’s way: Foxcroft Academy.

After falling to the Ponies in back-to-back regional championship games, including one on MA’s home field, the 2007 version of the Lynx, led by veteran head coach Art Greenlaw, is ready to make another run at the elusive gold ball.

“We have a lot of kids in the senior class who have paid their dues. They’re going to be the real leaders of this team,” said Greenlaw, who is in his third year guiding MA’s fortunes.

The Lynx will rely heavily on a veteran offensive line, led by senior guard Nate Nevells, listed at 235 pounds.

That group includes Nate’s twin brother Ian, also a guard, center Nate Brown, right tackle Darren Smart and left tackles Devin Ireland and Evan Haskell, all seniors.

“The great thing about this sport, in order to be successful, you have five guys, all of them other than the center never touch the ball, but if they don’t do their job you don’t win many football games,” said Greenlaw. “They have high expectations for themselves, they’ve worked hard this summer, gotten themselves in the weight room, and have been leaders in our mini-camps.”

Running behind the aforementioned group will be junior tailback Brady Vose, junior fullback Josh Murchison and senior fullback Jake Smith, with senior quarterback Derek Libbey calling the plays.

When in passing mode, Libbey will have plenty of athletic receiving options at his disposal, including tight end Tyler White and wideout Cody Flanders.

“We feel we have enough athletes that we should be able to spread the ball around and take what the defense gives us,” Greenlaw said.

Rather than use two or three set formations, the Lynx take what the defense gives them offensively, sometimes using a power-I while shifting to a shotgun in passing situations.

“We’ll be multiple, [and] basically try to take advantage of what [the opposition] is doing on defense,” said Greenlaw, who coached championship teams at Stearns in Millinocket.

A key ingredient to that success will be limiting penalties and turnovers, as well as catching opposing defenses off-guard.

“The key for us is we have to be fundamentally sound,” Greenlaw said. “We can’t turn the ball over. If the defense sells out to stop one place, more than likely there’s a weakness someplace, and you’ve got to be able to take advantage of that.”

The story will be the same for the Lynx on defense, using four different combinations, including a 4-4 base and a 3-5.

“Defense is still the key to winning football games,” Greenlaw said.

That and having a power running game.

“I think that in order to be winning games in late October and early November, you’ve got to be able to control the football,” Greenlaw said.

MATTANAWCOOK ACADEMY LYNX

2006 results: 7-4, lost in LTC Class C championship game

Head coach: Art Greenlaw, third year

Key players: Matt Brown, C, Sr.; Nate Nevells, G-LB, Sr.; Ian Nevells, G-LB, Sr.; Darren Smart, RT, Sr.; Devin Ireland, LT-NT, Sr.; Evan Haskell, LT, Sr.; Derek Libbey, QB-S, Sr.; Brady Vose, TB-OLB, Jr.; Josh Murchison, FB-LB, Jr.; Jake Smith, FB-TB, Sr.

Outlook: The Lynx have a solid mix of size and speed, which should make them championship contenders. Senior quarterback Derek Libbey saw plenty of postseason action as a junior last fall after starter Shey Gardner was hurt, and that should pay dividends this year. Look for MA to mix things up on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.