LINCOLN – While he’s the new head coach of Mattanawcook Academy, Art Greenlaw is no stranger to the Lynx football program.

After working as an assistant for MA coach Mike Bisson last season, Greenlaw has become a head coach again, this time taking over for Bisson, who resigned the job after becoming SAD 67’s elementary school principal.

“We’ve got a great group of kids, a great staff,” Greenlaw said. “This is a great place to be.”

Greenlaw led Stearns to four state championships during 18 seasons at the Millinocket school. He inherits a Lynx squad that lost two regular season games by a single point in the regular season before bowing to Bucksport in the LTC “C” semifinals. With most of last year’s offensive and defensive starters returning, expectations for a successful season are high.

“I’ve been around this game long enough to know that a lot of good things have to happen” to become a championship-caliber team, he said.

On offense, senior Dylan Hanscom will start at quarterback, while junior Shey Gardner and sophomores Derek Libbey and Peter Coggins also saw time under center at the varsity or junior varsity level last season.

“Quarterback is a big key to what we do,” Greenlaw said.

One of MA’s top receiving targets will be junior tight end Isaac Young, while Gardner, junior Cory Kimball, Nick Leonard, Adam Long and Dominic Bellantoni could see time as receivers, among others.

“A lot of kids are going to play,” Greenlaw said.

Running back should be a strength for the squad this season, as several players who made contributions return for another season.

Senior Duncan Markie is one of several running backs Greenlaw can turn to. Senior Jason Murchison, junior Jesse Birmingham and sophomore Jake Smith are also ready to step in when needed, according to the coach, as are fullback Randy Reed and fullback-tailback Steve Braley.

“I feel we’ve got a lot of depth there,” he said.

The offensive line is anchored by senior center Andrew Zagorianakos, while Ross Clapp, Dan Lifer, Matt Brown, Ian Nevells and Nathan Nevells will be in the mix.

Many of the same faces will see time on defense, including Murchison (linebacker), Reed (linebacker), Braley (linebacker), Young (defensive end), Clapp (defensive tackle) and Ian Nevells (linebacker). Murchison also handled the placekicking chores for the Lynx last season.

Libbey also saw time on the defensive side of the ball last season.

The Lynx open at home on Sept. 2 against Orono, then travel to Pittsfield to face Maine Central Institute on Sept. 9 before hosting Western Maine “C” power Lisbon on Sept. 16.

“We’re certainly going to know in the first three weeks what kind of a football team we have,” Greenlaw said.

MATTANAWCOOK LYNX

2004 record: 6-4, lost in LTC semifinals

Head coach: Art Greenlaw, first season

Key players: Dylan Hanscom, QB-DB, Sr.; Jason Murchison, RB-LB-K, Sr.; Isaac Young, TE-DE, Jr.; Ross Clapp, OF-DL, Sr.; Andrew Zagorianakos, C, Sr.; Duncan Markie, RB, Sr.; Randy Reed, FB-LB, Sr.; Steve Braley, RB-LB, Jr.; Shey Gardner, QB-WR, Jr.; Ian Nevells, OL-DL, Soph.

Outlook: The Lynx look to make a deeper run in the playoff this season. MA’s 56-player roster features great depth at many positions on both sides of the ball. Greenlaw has many players he can turn to on offense, particularly at running back, to keep teams guessing.