With six starters returning on offense and five on defense from last season’s playoff team, Wes Littlefield has reason for optimism.

Considering Messalonskee of Oakland’s football coach has a solid nucleus of 12 seniors leading a squad of 65 total players – 25 of whom are freshmen – he has the best of both worlds: Veteran leadership and depth infused by youth.

Still, Littlefield isn’t about to get carried away when assessing his team’s potential for the 2007 season. Why? Well, let’s just say he has some inside information.

“We’re mediocre on both sides as far as the interior lines,” Littlefield explained. “We’re not very big in size and we’re not super fast, but we’re pretty athletic and I think we have some unproven commodities.”

The Eagles are also fairly inexperienced.

“We’re a junior, sophomore team on both sides of the ball up front,” he said. “Our lines have to grow up in a hurry for us to be successful and get a playoff berth.”

While the lines are maturing, the Eagles will rely on their offensive backfield and linebacking corps to shoulder much of the load.

“We think the older guys can bring the younger guys along,” Littlefield explained. “Our run game is going to determine how far we go this year.”

From a versatile double wing formation, the Eagles plan to distribute the load evenly among fullback David Hash, wingbacks Phil Exner and Eric Caron, and new quarterback Matt Stuart, a junior who can both pass and run effectively.

Defensively, linebackers Matthew Colby and Exner will lead the way in Messalonskee’s “50” defense along with senior tackle Justin Grant and defensive end Hash.

“I think we have good skill people and maybe some unproven commodities on the interior lines,” Littlefield said.

He also has uncommon depth.

“This is the first year we’ve had two platoons for everything on defense because of our numbers,” he said. “Another great thing that’s finally happened this year is we have a lot of three-sport athletes now and that’s a good thing because the more playoff and varsity experience you have, even in other sports, the better.”

The big determinant as to how high the Eagles will fly is how quickly the younger and inexperienced players develop, although Littlefield can afford to be a bit more patient with an expanded postseason in the Pine Tree Conference Class A ranks.

“We have the toughest schedule in Class A, but I think that’s good for us,” he said. “And with the top eight getting in playoffs, if we go 4-4, we’re going to be in.”

Littlefield expects a lot of volatility with PTC teams the first few weeks as many teams come out of a shortened preseason with more question marks and growing pains than past years.

MESSALONSKEE EAGLES

2006 results: 5-4, lost in PTC Class A quarterfinals

Head coach: Wes Littlefield, 5th year

Key players: David Hash, FB-DE, Sr.; Phil Exner, WB-LB, Sr.; Matthew Colby, OG-MLB, Sr.; Justin Grant, OT-DT, Sr.; Eric Caron, WB-FS, Jr.; Chris Pelletier, TE-CB, Jr.; Nick Clapperton, TE-CB, Sr.; Matt Stuart, QB, Jr.

Outlook: The Eagles have made a habit of proving the skeptics wrong, especially after making the jump from Class B to A. This year, it looks like they have the depth and just enough experience to make another playoff run. If the lines come of age quickly, Messalonskee could surprise once again.