ORONO – Coming out of Livermore Falls High School, there were considerable doubts about whether Shawn Demaray would ever be a Division I football player.

Sure, he had been a standout linebacker and offensive lineman for the Class C Andies, who have a strong football tradition.

Even so, at only 230 pounds Demaray wasn’t in the same weight class as most Division I offensive linemen.

“That’s a big step for a young man to come from Livermore Falls to the University of Maine,” said Black Bears head coach Jack Cosgrove.

Two years into his career with the Bears, Demaray had worked his way into the starting lineup. Saturday afternoon, the senior will anchor the offensive line as UMaine takes on traditional rival Massachusetts in a 2:30 p.m. game at Alfond Stadium.

“He has risen to be a prominent contributor, a three-year starter, a preseason all-conference selection,” Cosgrove said. “He’s a very good offensive lineman.”

Through sheer determination and commitment to weight training, the 6-foot-2 left tackle checks in at a stout 280 pounds.

“He’s a great credit to how much work he put into it because initially size was an issue for him,” Cosgrove said. “He found the will to grow through his efforts in the weight room and to make his pursuit of playing football a priority.”

Demaray, who earned a partial scholarship as a freshman, said he has been motivated to improve his size and strength. He credits his father, William, and Brad Bishop, the coach at Livermore Falls his senior year, with providing motivation and support.

“My dad has been a pretty big influence, saying you need to get in the gym and weight lift, you need to do this,” Demaray said. “He’s very proud of me. He’s a big reason why I do this.”

Demaray, one of six Mainers starting for UMaine, is pleased to be able to represent his community and his state at UMaine. His advice to aspiring instate players is to remain persistent.

“You’ve got to outwork everyone else, sell out and hope the coaches notice you,” he said.

There is one other quality Demaray said is conducive to becoming a successful offensive lineman.

“You have to like to hit people,” he explained. “It’s not an easy thing to do, to go out and hit someone every single play. You have to have a killer attitude. You have to be nasty.”

Working in the trenches is tiring and often thankless work. The running backs, quarterbacks and receivers score all the touchdowns and most of the headlines.

Demaray is smart enough to realize that but still performs his job with energy and enthusiasm.

As the left tackle, Demaray has a responsibility to make sure the quarterback doesn’t get hit from his blind side.

Cosgrove said Demaray’s ability to handle the mental demands of the position also is critical in his success.

“Linemen don’t get enough credit for the monotony of their job and the toughness that it takes to execute and repeat on a day-to-day basis the various techniques and fundamentals against the schemes that they’re going to see,” Cosgrove said. “He demonstrates a phenomenal working knowledge of our offense.”

Demaray also has exhibited commitment in the classroom. He graduated in May (in four years) with a degree in kinesiology and physical education, posting a 3.4 grade point average.

This fall, he is working on a master’s degree in exercise science and plans to complete it in the spring.

“I’m trying to get everything I can out of my education,” said Demaray, who hopes to continue his playing career but eventually wants to become a teacher and coach or a personal trainer. He has exhibited valuable principles that could benefit future players.

“We certainly got our money’s worth from Shawn Demaray,” Cosgrove said. “He takes a great amount of pride in the work he puts in, in the classroom, as he does on the football field.”

THE SHAWN DEMARAY FILE

College highlights: 2006 – Named to Atlantic 10 All-Academic Team. … Started all 11 games at tackle, marked second straight season started all 11 games at offensive line. … Named a Maine Scholar-Athlete. 2005 – Started all 11 games, two at left guard and nine at left guard. .. Named to Atlantic 10 All-Academic Team. … Named a Maine Scholar-Athlete.

College major: Kinesiology and physical education.

High school: Three-year letter-winner at middle linebacker and offensive line at Livermore Falls. … An All-Campbell Conference selection in 2002.