Maine Maritime Academy has put together three straight winning seasons in the always-tough New England Football Conference.

The way coach Chris McKenney sees it, the Mariners from Castine probably could have accomplished even more if they had only done a few of the little things that can make the difference between winning and losing.

This season, with a solid nucleus of veterans and some promising first-time regulars, MMA is hoping it can go beyond having a winning season and possibly win the Bogan Division or an NEFC championship.

“The thing I’m looking for from last year to this year is consistency,” said McKenney, now in his season at the helm of the Mariners. “I’ve told them, let’s play the same kind of football every game.”

One plus is the schedule, which has MMA playing six home games, including Saturday’s 2 p.m. opener against MIT at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland.

MMA’s trademark is its option offense. This fall, the Mariners are counting on six returning starters to keep opposing defenses guessing.

All-Bogan Division guard Chris Mitchell, a senior and three-year starter from Skowhegan, lines up with veterans Travis Berube of Eliot, a junior who has moved from guard to tackle; sophomore center Dan Weamer, and junior tackle Mike Vangelist of Sanford.

Sophomore tackle Michael Durrell of Livermore, who was moved over from the defense, and sophomore Mike Secord of Windham also step into starting roles.

That group sets the tone for a versatile group of running backs led by sophomore quarterback Tyler Angell of Leeds, a solid run-pass threat. He’ll get the ball to productive junior fullback Jim Bower of South Paris, who missed most of last season with an injury.

“He had two 100-yard games in the first three games last year until he went out,” McKenney said. “He’s a strong kid with good speed.”

Bower will be flanked by senior halfback Jon Farrin of Boothbay, who also sat out 2007 with an injury, and sophomore HB Todd Murphy.

Juniors Alex Coulombe of Kennebunk and Travis Shaw of Bradley return at wideout along with sophomore Josh Elwell of Owls Head.

“The defenses we play are pretty good, so we make them play assignment football,” McKenney said of a run game that ranked 16th in the nation last season, averaging 251 yards per contest. “We’re not huge up front and we don’t have a ton of speed, but we slow those defenses [with our scheme].”

The Mariners also are blessed with an experienced group of seven returning starters on the defensive side of the ball.

Senior ends Cody Andrews of Holden (6.5 tackles per game in 2007) and Steve Keroack of York anchor the line, which also includes sophomore Andrew St. Michael of Old Orchard Beach at noseguard.

“[Andrews and Keroack] are two of the better defensive linemen in the conference,” McKenney said.

The linebacker unit is spearheaded by junior Travis Fergola of Mexico (7.4 tpg) and sophomore Wade Mondoux (6.4 tpg), while senior John Logus has made the transition from offensive guard to outside linebacker. Freshman Joel Chadbourne of Westbrook has earned a starting nod at inside ‘backer.

Senior cornerback Rob Leighton of Auburn, a third-year starter who made six interceptions in 2007, is in good company in the secondary with junior corner Mike Riley and senior safety Chris Kates of Lisbon Falls.

McKenney hopes the defense can play a hard-hitting style and cause some turnovers the offense can convert into points.

The leadership of the 21 upperclassmen, including eight seniors, both on and off the field, will be critical for MMA.

pwarner@bangordailynews.net

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