Experienced. Senior dominated. Optimistic. Words not recently associated with Mount Desert Island football. But Coach George “Toogie” McKay looks up and down his lineup and sees reason to use those words.

“We rebuild here. We don’t reload. It’s been a process for three years. But this is a good group of kids, they work hard,” McKay said.

In three years the seniors on this year’s team have gone through the wringer: 1-8, 3-6, and 5-4 records in successive seasons. Playing before largely disinterested, small crowds. But there is a genuine belief that things could be better this year.

The Trojans return 20 lettermen, including nine starters on both sides of the ball.

But there is a bugaboo. Depth. McKay says if people get hurt, the Trojans could be in trouble.

“We’re onion skin typing paper thin. We are so thin it’s scary. Whoever plays us when we’re healthy, we’ll give them a good game,” McKay said.

Senior running back Basil Mahaney (5-11, 180 pounds) returns to lead the Trojans’ running attack. Mahaney ran for more than 600 yards in 2000 and McKay says he is deceptively fast in the open. He also plays outside linebacker.

A sophomore will be thrown into the breech at fullback.

“John Lewis is instrumental in our turnaround because he is so fast. He is tenacious and carries out his fakes,” McKay said.

But the offensive backfield will depend on senior quarterback Travis Tripp’s development. Tripp (6-0, 190) started as a junior.

“He’s got some experience, but he has to progress. He is the key,” McKay said.

The Trojans’ strength on both sides of the ball will be line play.

“This is an experienced group,” McKay said. “I’m really pleased. I hope [the line] is as good as I think it is.”

Brad Russell leads the group. At 6-3, 265 pounds he has the size. His desire is shown in his weight room work where he squats 365 pounds.

Fellow seniors Greg Fellis (6-3, 210), Andy Wade (5-10, 205), Jake Buck (5-10, 180), and Chris Perry (5-6, 190) join Russell.

Though undersized for line work, Perry drew the following praise from McKay.

“He’s really a tough deal for anybody to handle. He benches 285, squats 335, and cleans 215. He was a load last year. He’s like greased lightning. He is so low to the ground and he is dynamite quick.”

As has been the case before, McKay is still not pleased having southern Maine teams on the schedule.

“It’s a convoluted schedule that sends us all over Maine,” McKay complains.

“We’re kinda the outpost here and we’re going to be playing Mount Ararat. That’s 146 miles from here. Then we turn around the next week and go to Winslow.”

McKay goes on to point out that the Trojans play Gorham at home.

“We drive by teams that are our traditional rivals that we play good games with. If we played Bucksport at home, we would make more money off that game than the four games we have now combined.”

But MDI will soldier on. And for the first time in years, the Trojans have a real chance at true success. McKay believes they’re good enough. He just hopes they can stay healthy. Such is your football life when you’re paper-thin.

MDI TROJANS

2000 Results: 5-4

Head coach: George “Toogie” McKay, 22nd year

Key players: Travis Tripp, QB-S, Sr.; Basil Mahaney, RB-LB, Sr.; John Lewis, FB-LB, So.; David Zabala, WB-LB, Jr.; Greg Fellis, TE-DE, Sr.; Andy Wade, OG-DE, Sr.; Brad Russell, OT-LB, Sr.; Jake Buck, C-DT, Sr.; Chris Perry, OG-DT, Ryan Stillwell, SE-CB, Sr.; Jon Dow, SE-CB, Jr.

Outlook: Numbers are the key for the Trojans. Just how many people finally end up on the team once school starts may determine how far they go. McKay is practicing 40 players, including 17 freshmen, but MDI is notorious for adding to the squad once the season begins. McKay went to the wing-T a couple of years ago and believes his team finally gets it. For the first time in years, reaching the playoffs is a realistic goal for the Trojans.