OAKLAND – For a team about to make a big step up in competition, the Messalonskee Eagles have a big message: Bring it on.

Messalonskee has been an LTC Class B contender for several years. Now the Eagles are moving up to the Class A Pine Tree Conference, where they will go up against much larger teams.

About 40 kids turned out for Messalonskee this year (more than 60 are practicing for Bangor). That fact hasn’t fazed senior linemen Albert Hall and Joe Dorval.

“The thing about our team is we’re smaller than most Class A teams, but everyone’s excited and everyone’s going 100 percent on every play,” Dorval said. “We can keep up with these teams.”

Messalonskee coach John Hersom feels the Eagles have long had the work ethic to compete in Class A.

This preseason, the coaches have implemented new offensive and defensive looks to round out the package.

“Our progress during preseason has been a little slower than what we’re used to,” Hersom said. “We’re asking some different things of our kids than what they’re used to. But I think it’s a move in the right direction.”

Hersom knows his team will have to mix up its offense, and that means more passing (conversely, the defense has to learn to how to defend against the pass).

For a team whose starting quarterback attempted only 37 passes last year, increased passing will be a big change. Hersom believes he has suitable quarterback in junior John Workman.

“He’s an option-style quarterback where he can be a threat not only to run the football but he handles the ball well on fakes,” Hersom said. “He can also come off from those fakes and be a passer. We think he has those dimensions and we’re working hard with him so he can be that kind of triple threat.”

Hersom said the backfield seems to be one of the more solid – albeit young – groups.

Senior Chad Dennis, one of three returning starters on the team, rushed for a team-high 974 yards (eighth in the LTC last year) on 131 carries, an average of 7.4 yards per carry. He also scored 10 touchdowns.

He will be joined by junior fullback Matt Cote, junior halfback Mike Pierce, and sophomore fullback Mike Savage.

Pierce, however, will fill in as more of a running-receiving threat until senior Steve Haschey (another returning starter) returns from an injury. Haschey, a flanker, rushed for 208 yards and caught three passes for 85 yards last year.

Hall also likes Savage as a linebacker.

“He reads the flow well,” Hall said. “He’s as good a linebacker as we have now.”

Hall and Dorval will help anchor a relatively inexperienced line. The third returning starter is Jeff Cutler, a senior offensive tackle-nose guard. Dorval was a center last year but is now playing guard; Corey Moody is a guard this year after playing fullback last year; Hall was also a running back-linebacker but is now a tackle.

MESSALONSKEE EAGLES

2000 results: 7-3, lost in LTC Class B semifinals

Head coach: John Hersom, 10th year

Key players: Matt Workman, QB-FS, Jr.; Matt Cote, FB-DE, Jr.; Mike Pierce, HB-FL-CB, Jr.; Chad Dennis, RB-SS, Sr.; Mike Savage, FB-LB, Sr.; Steve Haschey, WR-LB, Sr.; Jeff Cutler, OT-DT, Sr.; Braden Kingsbury, C, Sr.; Joe Dorval, OG-NG, Sr.; Corey Moody, OG-LB, Sr.; Albert Hall, OT-DT, Sr.; Lenny Goff, TE-DE, Sr.

Outlook: The Messalonskee players credit new offensive coordinator Wes Litttlefield with helping them make the move to Class A. Haschey, who broke a bone in his right hand, could miss the first game of the season (Waterville). The Eagles will play a 5-2 defense.