Maine Maritime Academy continues to set its sights on winning the New England Football Conference’s Bogan Division title.

For the third straight season, the Mariners came up a bit short in their quest.

Coach Chris McKenney’s squad was unable to hold onto an eight-point lead in the fourth quarter of a pivotal late-season game at Coast Guard, then dropped its season finale at Fitchburg State.

The Mariners wound up 5-4, their third consecutive winning season, with plenty of optimism for the future.

“It was a successful, winning season and we obviously accomplished some good things,” said McKenney, who completed his seventh season at MMA.

“The numbers are a little disappointing with the 5-4, but there are some big wins in there,” McKenney said.

The Mariners hope to continue their momentum with a veteran-laden team next season. MMA loses only five seniors off the roster.

That talented group includes three defensive standouts in linebacker Chris Tracy of Westbrook, the NEFC Defensive Player of the Year, along with safety Nate Bolduc of Farmington and linebacker Joe Blier of Bangor.

“The speed and intensity that he brought off the edge, it was obvious for every team,” McKenney said.

The Mariners built their success around defense, which ranked third in the NEFC in total defense (296 yards per game) and second in rushing defense (98 ypg).

The line, led this fall by junior second-team all-NEFC choices Cody Andrews of Holden and Steve Keroack of York, along with junior Aaron Allaire of North Berwick, returns intact.

MMA is counting on more good things from the linebackers after strong seasons by junior Travis Fergola of Mexico, the team’s second-leading tackler, and freshman Wade Mondoux of Berwick.

Junior Rob Leighton of Auburn helped spearhead the secondary after earning NEFC first-team recognition with five interceptions. Other starters included junior Chris Kates of Lisbon Falls and Mike Riley.

MMA got its triple option offense clicking despite having a new quarterback in Tyler Angell of Leeds and losing starting sophomore fullback Jim Bower of South Paris to injuries.

Angell proved himself a dependable decision-maker and a solid run-pass threat. Senior Brandon Goodrich of Waterboro started the year at halfback, but made the transition to fullback after the loss of Bower.

He gained 931 yards (103 ypg) and scored 10 touchdowns on his way to first-team honors.

“He finished third in the conference in rushing,” McKenney said. “He did whatever he needed to do for the team.”

MMA balanced out its attack with two freshman halfbacks, Josh Elwell of Owls Head and Todd Murphy.

The Mariners were fourth in NEFC rushing with 251 ypg and finished second in average time of possession (33 minutes, 15 seconds). The run set up a passing game that was dangerous.

“We use pass as our counter,” McKenney said. “We’re looking for the big-play balls.”

MMA will return its entire offensive line, which this fall was paced by guards Chris Mitchell of Skowhegan, an all-league second-team pick, and Erik Shortell; tackles Travis Berube of Eliot and Shawn Atkinson of North Turner; and center Dan Weamer.

Tight ends Isaac Young of Lincoln and Alex Coulombe of Kennebunk were key performers.

With so many veterans returning, MMA expects to be in the NEFC hunt again in 2008.

“We’re looking forward to lining up again next year and continuing our winning ways,” McKenney said.