Three years ago, perennial Class A contender Waterville was adjusting to life as a Class B program.

New league, new schedule, new opponents… It seemed very strange and unsettling for the Purple Panthers.

With 45 players total out for football – 17 of them freshmen – that move is presently sitting a lot better with longtime coach Frank Knight.

“Yeah, the move to ‘B’ was just so appropriate for us and our numbers are reflecting that,” he said. “We still have good players, but not as many of them as we used to.

“I’m guardedly optimistic about how we are right now. Depth is a concern.”

What the Panthers may lack in quantity they could more than make up for in quality this year.

Waterville returns six starters on each side of the line, has two solid candidates to succeed quarterback Dan Hussey and many good skill position players in the offensive backfield and defensive secondary.

Junior Josh Gaudette was the team’s top receiver last year, but he is competing with sophomore Kyle Bishop to throw rather than catch passes this season.

“Gaudette and Bishop can both do a lot of the things Hussey can do, at least in terms of running the ball,” said Knight. “Dan led the league in passing yards, but I don’t expect a big dropoff at quarterback.

“We could use both guys at quarterback to give teams different looks and use their different strengths.”

Knight’s positive outlook extends beyond the quarterback position.

“I’m optimistic. I think we’ll be a playoff team with a lot of good skill players who can run, catch and throw,” he said. “We have a good finesse game offensively, but I think we also have a good fullback-halfback combo running out of the I formation. We’ll be multi-dimensional and versatile.”

That means Waterville’s rushing attack should be much improved from last season behind a much more cohesive front five.

Defensively, the Panthers are still in the process of filling in the blanks, developing cohesiveness and gaining some experience.

“We’re still looking to lock up some linebackers and find an identity. We can be good, but we’re entirely unproven right now,” Knight said. “Our line and our backers on defense are the question marks. We just have to find the right fits and combos.”

Knight is no exception to that statement. He is also having to make some adjustments.

“Sometimes you have to play defenses you don’t always want to play, like a 50 and bend, but not break,” Knight explained. “We’ll attack the gap and gamble because I think we have the speed, especially in our secondary, to minimize them.”

WATERVILLE PURPLE PANTHERS

2007 results: 5-5, lost in PTC Class B semifinals

Head coach: Frank Knight, 19th year

Key players: Lance Cote, OG-NG, Sr.; Cam Bishop, WR-CB, Sr.; Nolan MacDonnell, WR/TE-DE, Sr.; Tyler Cain, OT-DT, Sr.; Mike Allen, OT-DT, Sr., Deune Hardy, RB-DB, Sr.; Nick Stinson, WR-DB, Sr.; J.D. Guiski, TE-DE, Sr.; Kyle Bishop, QB-SS, Sr.; Josh Gaudette, QB/WR-S, Jr.

Outlook: Cote will provide problems with his quickness up front while ends Cain and Guiski are very solid bookends that will provide plenty of pressure from the wings. The rushing attack should also be improved with the continued maturation of the line. The secondary is a defensive strength with its experience, maturity, and athleticism. If the backers and inside pressure develop, the Panthers could be on the prowl for a high playoff seeding.