WINSLOW – The Winslow Black Raiders traditionally have had great success within the Class B football world thanks to a combination of speed, quickness, agility, talent and toughness.

This year coach Mike Siviski’s club plans to add size to the mix.

“We’ve got more size this year than we’ve ever had here,” said Siviski, who in his 22nd year on the Black Raiders’ sideline is one of the longest-tenured head coaches in the state.

“Now we’re working to make that good size.”

In Corey Gay (6-foot, 240 pounds), Don Clark (6-6, 250), Ryan Rancourt (5-10, 240), Jared Quirion (6-0, 250), Daniel Wendell (6-3, 195) and Joe Perry (6-1, 220), Winslow has the makings of an offensive and defensive front that can match up physically with any team in its division.

And it’s a division the Black Raiders have more than matched up with throughout this decade, its Eastern Maine Class B championship last fall represented Winslow’s fourth regional title in the last seven years.

That size may be pivotal in overcoming a relative lack of experience. Winslow graduated a stellar senior class that included quarterback-linebacker Steven Siviski, who had a 16-to-2 touchdown pass to interception ratio in 2006; tailback Justin Lindie, one of the state’s top touchdown producers who is now playing at Husson College; tight end-linebacker Kevin McCabe, now at Maine Maritime Academy; Ben Poulin, the top placekicker in school history; and John Goulette, a breakaway threat at fullback.

The Black Raiders return just three starters on offense, and three full-time starters and one part-time starter on defense.

“The good news is that we have some people back who saw a lot of action last year,” said Siviski, whose 2007 squad includes 14 letterwinners. “We’ve got kids back who have played behind a real good class for the last two years, and now they have the chance to step forward.”

Those returning players are led by senior James Wood, a two-way all Pine Tree Conference Class B choice last season who may shift among several positions offensively this year, including quarterback, where he is working along with junior Scott Siviski and sophomore Cody Souviney. Wide receiver Ben Grant is another key offensive weapon, as are tight ends Chris Wagner and Ryan Pelletier, tailback Cory Bezanson and fullbacks Chris Brawn, Jesse Cullinan and Eric Bezanson.

Grant, Wagner and Pelletier also will line up at defensive end, while Cullinan, Brawn and Eric Bezanson provide three seniors at linebacker.

Wood will anchor the defensive secondary, joined by Cory Bezanson, Scott Siviski and Souviney, with Derek Clark and Charlie Kriegel also poised to contribute.

Siviski sees a wealth of talented teams in the PTC Class B ranks this season, including Gardiner, Leavitt of Turner Center, Waterville, Belfast and Hampden Academy.

“The league has just unbelievable parity at this point,” he said.

WINSLOW BLACK RAIDERS

2006 results: 10-2, Eastern Maine Class B champions

Head coach: Mike Siviski, 22nd year

Key players: James Wood, Sr., Util.-DB; Corey Gay, Sr., OT-DT; Don Clark, Sr., OT-DL; Ben Grant, Sr., SE-DE; Joe Perry, Sr., G-DT; Cory Bezanson, Sr., TB-DB; Chris Brawn, Sr., FB-LB

Outlook: Winslow graduated an extremely talented senior class last year, one that led the Black Raiders to Eastern Maine Class B championships in 2004 and 2006. Winslow hopes to rely on perhaps its biggest line in 20 years to power the offense and stymie other teams. The Black Raiders are always a contender, and this season will be no exception.