Coach Frank Knight’s Purple Panthers aren’t tickled pink to be dropping down to Class B for the first time in school football history, but neither are they feeling blue about it.

“It’s kind of sad because we won’t have those rivalry games with Bangor and Lawrence, but we appropriately are moving to B where we belong, enrollment-wise,” said Knight, who noted his school’s enrollment has decreased from 750 in the mid-1990s to its current number of 620.

The big change in the football landscape for the traditional Pine Tree Conference Class A power may end some rivalries, but it also will re-energize others, most notably the one with next-door neighbor and Class B power Winslow.

“That’s our last game of the year and we’re excited about it,” said Knight, who said his Panthers aren’t coming in with a cocky attitude just because they’re a year removed from the Class A ranks. “We respect all the teams and don’t expect to come in and dominate, but we hope to be a dominant team.

“We felt we were a playoff contender in Class A, so if we’re not [in Class B] it will be a very disappointing.”

With six starters back on offense and six on defense, the Panthers have holes to fill. But a good nucleus of skill players and interior linemen to build around starting with senior co-captains Jon Hart – the last of a successful line of football Harts and the younger brother of Chris and Chad – and Barrett Moore, one half of a dynamic two-tight end offensive set Knight plans to employ a lot this season.

Moore is 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds while fellow senior Finley Allen is 6-4 and 215. Both have good hands, solid blocking skills, and make for inviting targets either over the middle or downfield.

Hart and tailback Tyler Madore give Waterville a productive run game out of the I formation while sophomore quarterback Dan Hussey, who took over starting duties three games into the 2004 season, should continue developing into a dual threat as a runner and a passer. Knight is so intrigued by Hussey’s potential that he plans a lot of rollouts and even shotgun formations to take advantage of Hussey’s mobility.

“We’ll be a lot more wide open offensively,” Knight said. “We can line up and run a power game if we want to and also use the finesse game if they stack up against the run.”

Defensively, Waterville will operate out of a base 5-3 alignment with three linebackers and a “cover 3” secondary approach.

While the offense is more complicated and demanding, Knight has simplified the defense in an effort not to overload the two-way players.

If Waterville’s defense can hold opposing offenses in check early on while the Panthers get comfortable running the offense and developing a rhythm, the Panthers will be tough to catch.

“Our offensive timing will be crucial,” Knight said. “But our offensive genius [coordinator Ken Lindloff] really has a lot of toys to play with this year.”

WATERVILLE PURPLE PANTHERS

2004 results: 2-6, sixth in PTC North Division

Head coach: Frank Knight, 16th year

Key players: Jon Hart, FB-LB, Sr.; Barrett Moore, TE-LB, Sr.; Tyler Madore, TB-CB, Sr.; Finley Allen, TE-DE, Sr.; John Ringer, OL-NG, Jr.; Paul LePage, C-DL, Jr.; Chris Smith, DE, Jr.

Outlook: The Panthers struggled last year, but return a good mix of veteran starters with plenty of experience and young talent. If Hussey develops into the pass-run threat Knight expects, the Panthers will be a wide-open, versatile offense that will be almost impossible to load up on. Athleticism is another strength. Two-way lineman Lepage Jr. is a former soccer goalie.