Replacing a talented senior quarterback has been a common theme for Maine college football teams this summer.

Maine Maritime Academy of Castine also spent training camp grooming a new leader for its offense.

In the Mariners’ option attack, the quarterback is the decision-maker who decides who will carry the ball. Junior Chris Kates of Lisbon Falls will handle those duties when MMA opens its season Saturday against Becker College at Worcester, Mass.

“We send the play in with the triple option, but he’s got to read it and see which side [to run the play],” said seventh-year coach Chris McKenney.

Kates replaces Skowhegan’s Brandon Hamilton, who ranked second in the New England Football Conference last season while running for 102 yards per game. Kates beat out sophomore Tyler Angell of Leeds for the quarterback job.

“Chris has experience with the offense because he’s been here and has had a couple years of practice,” McKenney said. “He’s a good-sized kid [6 feet, 194 pounds], so he can take it and run up in there.”

The Mariners want to continue the momentum generated while posting a 13-6 record the last two seasons [6-3 in 2006].

“We’re looking to make the next step forward,” said senior co-captain Joe Blier of Bangor. “In the back of our minds, we’re all thinking it’s time to make that hurdle and get that conference championship, win the division. We’re taking it one step at a time.”

MMA returns experience in the backfield, led by fullback Jim Bower of South Paris. He rushed for 568 yards and 8 TDs last fall as a freshman.

“We’re expecting great things from him now that he’s had a taste of college football,” McKenney said.

Bower is joined by senior halfback and co-captain Brandon Goodrich of Waterboro and freshman Todd Murphy.

The Mariners hope to be more diversified in their attack. They’ll look to throw when opponents least expect it, with wide receivers Alex Coulombe of Kennebunk, freshman Josh Elwell of Owls Head and Travis Shaw of Bradley among the top targets.

The line is spearheaded by center John Logus and guard Chris Mitchell of Skowhegan, both juniors. The unit also includes sophomores Travis Berube of Eliot and Mike Vangelist of Sanford.

That group must gel quickly if it hopes to regain status as the league’s No. 2 rushing team.

Defense has been the foundation of MMA’s recent success. Heading the charge in 2007 are co-captains Chris Tracy of Westbrook, Nate Bolduc of Farmington and Blier.

Outside linebacker Tracy (56 tackles, 6 sacks) and safety Bolduc (55 tackles) were All-Bogan Division second-team choices last season. Blier is a veteran safety.

“We’ve got a number of guys back on defense that have played quite a bit,” said McKenney.

Another key cog in the front seven is end Cody Andrews of Holden, an all-division first-team pick. He is joined by returning starter Aaron Allaire of North Berwick and Steve Keroack of York.

Travis Fergola of Mexico, James McPhee of Baileyville and freshman Wade Mondoux will contribute at linebacker.

Rob Leighton of Auburn (4 interceptions in 2006) and Mike Riley also have experience at the cornerback spots.