Bears’ seniors have made key contributions

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ORONO – It is likely to be an emotional next couple of days for the seniors on the University of Maine football team.

Today, the Black Bears’ 12 seniors will be honored during the annual senior luncheon. Then on Saturday, that talented group will gather for its final game on the AstroTurf of Morse Field at Alfond Stadium.

This year’s senior class includes five defensive linemen, two linebackers, two offensive linemen, a tight end, an H-back and a place-kicker. Eight of them are starters for coach Jack Cosgrove’s team.

Leading the way for the group are the tri-captains, inside linebacker John Wormuth, defensive tackle Bruno Dorismond and defensive end Pat McCrossan.

Wormuth, an all-conference, third-team selection last season, ranks eighth in the Colonial Athletic Association this fall, averaging 9.7 tackles per game.

“He’s one of the leading tacklers in the conference and certainly is a guy who is very passionate about the game of football,” Cosgrove said.

Dorismond, also a third-team pick in 2006, has registered 33 tackles this season, including 2.5 quarterback sacks.

McCrossan continues to be a handful for opponents and has 28 tackles with four sacks.

“Bruno is a great success story not only from his growth as a football player but as a student,” Cosgrove said. “Patrick has been a solid football player here, a consistent presence on the defensive line at end.”

They have been supported by the play of classmates Reggie Paramoure (18 tackles) and Bryan Greer (5 tackles) inside, along with Josh Caldwell of Brewer (9 tackles) at end.

“Those are five guys right there who have played a lot of football for us,” Cosgrove said.

The offense features five seniors, led by Maine natives Shawn Demaray of Livermore Falls and Jacob Folz of West Paris on the front line.

Demaray has started 31 consecutive contests at tackle and guard and this season is at left tackle. The versatile Folz has made numerous starts the past two seasons at right tackle and left guard.

“Demaray and Folz are two Maine products who I think have gotten the most out of their abilities here,” Cosgrove said.

Anthony Cotrone and Matt Mulligan of West Enfield have provided plenty of power and muscle in their offensive roles. Cotrone has averaged 6.4 yards per carry and caught eight passes for 55 yards while excelling as a blocker.

Mulligan has been utilized both as a blocker on the line and as a receiving threat. He has 11 catches for 131 yards and one touchdown this season.

“There’s a skill level connotation with them, but in a lot of ways they’re linemen for a long part of the game,” Cosgrove said. “Their reward is a carry here or a pass reception there.”

Donnelly has saved his best for last as UMaine’s place-kicker. The Westbrook native has handled kickoffs most of the last three years, but this fall regained the PAT/field goal spot.

Donnelly is 10-for-10 on extra points and has made nine consecutive field goals with only one miss.

“He’s certainly been a big contributor this year in terms of field goals, which is an area that we haven’t been great at,” Cosgrove said. “He has achieved as high a level of consistency as we’ve had in a long, long time here.”

UM’s Baxter AE All-Rookie pick

Adam Baxter, a freshman midfielder on the UMaine men’s soccer team, has been named to the America East All-Rookie Team.

Baxter, who hails from Skegness, England, made 16 starts among 17 appearances this season. He did not register a point for the 4-12-1 Bears.

“Adam has been a very strong player for us in his first year,” Maine coach Pat Laughlin said in a release. “He is a natural leader and has a high work rate. I look forward to him making a bigger impact on the team in his future years.”

Clukey contributes for Husson

Janna Clukey was inadvertently omitted from a story in Wednesday’s paper detailing the success of the Husson College women’s soccer team this fall.

Clukey, a freshman back from Presque Isle, was a key member of the Eagles’ defense that allowed only 24 goals in 22 games (1.09 per game).

Clukey, who played in 21 games and started 17, helped lead coach Keith Bosley’s squad to a 14-7-1 overall record, the North Atlantic Conference title and a spot in the NCAA Division III tournament.