OAKLAND – The linemen for the Messalonskee Eagles are hogs, but sympathy isn’t needed, they like it that way.

“That’s our nickname for them,” coach Wes Littlefield said. “It’s a pride thing, they know it coming through that they’re hogs.”

Littlefield wants the linemen to “get in there and dig people out,” thus giving them the nickname of hog.

“They lead our team,” he said. “Without those guys we don’t get any touchdowns because our backs have no holes to run through.”

And running the ball is where the Eagles like to establish themselves as a team.

“I wanna pound ya, I want you to be like ‘whoa, geez, what are these guys doing,’ and then sneak the pass in there,” Littlefield said. “We’re very physical and we like to pride ourselves on that.”

Stepping up in the running back position this season will be Danny May, replacing Chris Duffy who tallied 1,557 yards last season – a PTC Class-A best.

“Those are some big shoes to fill but I think he can do it,” Littlefield said. “He’s a slasher so we’re looking forward to that.”

Handing the ball out for the Eagles offense is senior captain Ted Fabian.

“He was a real steady player for us last year,” Littlefield said. “He’s a kid you can depend on. He doesn’t make a lot of mistakes, he’s not going to throw interceptions or fumble the ball away.”

The quarterback also sees time on the field as a free safety for Messalonskee. Fabian said the defense as a whole has a specific goal for the season.

“We want to be known as the hardest hitting team in the state,” he said.

The five captains and coach Littlefield agree that a state championship would be nice, too.

“My ultimate goal, every year I step out here, is obviously to win a state championship,” Littlefield said.

A winning season is what every team strives for, however, Littlefield has learned that it’s about more than the Xs and Os.

When he took over four years ago, Littlefield believed that the team was lacking pride and aimed to change that.

“The team is based on pride,” he said. “It means something to wear the red, white and blue that we put on every week.”

The Eagles have gained a sense of pride over the past couple of years and Littlefield said it’s in part due to the time the team spends at Camp Cobbessee in Monmouth during the preseason.

The players live in cabins together and participate in practices for five days.

“It builds unity,” Littlefield said. Everybody gets to know each other. You don’t know who drives the Volvos or BMWs.”

The team may have different lives off the field, but they are all looking forward to the same thing this season:

“Friday night lights,” senior captain Zack Murphy said. “Once those lights flick on …”

MESSALONSKEE EAGLES

2004 results: 6-2, lost in Class A quarterfinals

Head coach: Wes Littlefield, 4th year

Key players: Wayne Evans, DE/TE, Sr; Zack Murphy, DB/WB, Sr; Josh Cote, FB/LB, Sr; James Bonnell, G/LB, Sr; Ted Fabian, QB/FS, Sr; Danny May, RB, Jr; Will Ziegenfus, DE/CB, Sr; Ryan Doucette, RG, Jr; Ryan Cormier, LT, Sr; Jeb Butler, RT, So.

Outlook: The Eagles remained unbeaten at home last season and hope to build off that success.