Mt. Blue’s Moloney relishing opportunity to play for Bears

ORONO – John Moloney went to practice religiously last fall with the University of Maine football team. He always showed up early and left late.

The sophomore remained committed, despite never putting on a helmet and pads. He was a member of the Black Bears’ videotaping crew.

Saturday morning, Moloney was one of the UMaine players being filmed during the annual Jeff Cole Memorial Spring Scrimmage at Alfond Stadium.

Moloney, a former place-kicker at Mt. Blue High School in Farmington, converted five of seven field-goal attempts and made both extra points.

“We gave him an opportunity to try out this spring,” said UMaine head coach Jack Cosgrove. “He passed muster there and got a chance to be our spring practice kicker. He’s done a good job.”

A couple hundred fans turned out Saturday to watch the scrimmage, which featured good live action pitting the offense against the defense.

UMaine was in desperate need of a kicker, even as a stand-in, this spring after Bobby Donnelly of Westbrook completed his eligibility and Devin McNeill of Portland left the team after last season.

“He’s way ahead of where we thought he would be,” Cosgrove admitted. “We’re bringing some recruits in, but he’s obviously our kicker right now and, until somebody unseats him, it’s good to have somebody there.”

Moloney is finally getting the opportunity he hoped for after transferring to UMaine from Maine Maritime Academy in Castine some 16 months ago.

The 5-foot-8, 170-pounder had inquired about walking on with the Bears at that time, but was told his services weren’t needed. Moloney did the next best thing, taking a job filming practices and games.

“It’s fun going on all the trips,” said Moloney, who quietly kept his dream alive.

When the chance to kick came about, he committed himself to the effort.

“I had a feeling that when I came in, not many people would take me seriously since I was the filmer, so I just kind of dedicated everything I had to keep coming in here every day, keep improving no matter what,” Moloney said. “These freshmen that come in, I plan on giving them a good fight.”

Moloney, who kicked many extra points but only three field goals at Mt. Blue, plans to attend kicking camps this summer in the hope of earning a permanent roster spot.

“I’ve been kicking very well. They’ve acted very shocked,” Moloney said. “I can’t wait for the day that I make [a kick] and they say nothing and I miss it and they yell at me. I want to gain that respect of being just a player. I don’t want to be a filmer that turned into a player.”

Cosgrove said improving leg strength and the distance of his kicks are keys for Moloney.

Eastman back on the front line

Saturday’s scrimmage was uplifting for former Old Town High standout Tyler Eastman.

The 6-6, 299-pounder got the start at left tackle after missing all of last season following spring surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

“It feels good to get back out here,” said Eastman, who was injured during spring workouts last year. “There was a lot of frustration there, not being able to do anything.”

Eastman, who saw limited duty in 2006, is expected to be a key cog up front during his junior season.

Check the BDN later this week for more spring scrimmage developments.

pwarner@bangordailynews.net

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