FAIRFIELD – The resurgence of the Lawrence High School football program during the last three years has left rival teams in the Pine Tree Conference Class A ranks in its wake.

The Bulldogs are 28-3 during that span, with a state championship in 2006 and back-to-back Eastern Maine titles the last two seasons.

But 19 seniors graduated after the state-title run, and 17 more departed from the program last June. That leaves coach John Hersom’s 2008 club with a mix of veterans and others who have waited for their chance in the limelight to seek to sustain Lawrence’s current momentum.

“We’ve got a big senior class this year,” said Hersom, now in his fourth season as the Bulldogs’ head coach. “It’s a talented group. We had a few of them who were front-line players as juniors and quite a few who are anxious to get in there and have their chance.”

Lawrence was blessed with a bevy of talented offensive skill-position players a year ago, a cast led by graduated Fitzpatrick Trophy winner Jack Hersom.

But while the Bulldogs will be reloading in the backfield, they will be anchored by a deep and talented line.

Tyler McKeen and Devin McDonald both saw duty at center last fall, with McDonald stepping in after McKeen was injured, and both will share that spot again this year. Senior Ken Pelotte leads a contingent of four guards who all will see action, along with Tom Kent – a starter at tackle last fall – Keith Noyes and Travis Marcia.

Daven Giroux, at 6-foot-4, 335 pounds, is back at one tackle after an all-state season last year. He will be joined by Kevin Pressey, who has bulked up to 6-0, 285 after starting at guard in 2007.

“The strength of our team is up front,” said Hersom.

Senior Ben Violette, who started on defense last fall, steps in as the starting quarterback this season.

“He’s a three-sport athlete,” said Hersom. “He’s pretty diverse athletically, he’s backed up at quarterback the last couple of years and has played a lot of football.”

Brock Lawrence, another defensive starter last year, is expected to be one of the Bulldogs’ top running backs, along with Anthony Boudreau. Alex Tompkins will step in at fullback, while Matt Perkins will play tight end and Jeshua Dearborn and Nate Letourneau are top candidates at split end.

Pelotte and Noyes will work at end while Pressey and Giroux are at tackle to give Lawrence an experienced and formidable defensive front. Tompkins will play middle linebacker, flanked by Max Haney, Tyler Ashland, Matt Rowe and Jesse Longstreet.

The Bulldogs return an experienced secondary led by Lawrence at cornerback and Perkins and Violette at safety. Boudreau, Blair Ramsdell and Tyler Perkins add depth.

Dearborn provides Lawrence with an added weapon as one of the better returning kickers in the conference.

Hersom is hopeful his team’s recent momentum will carry over to the 2008 season, but anticipates more competition for conference supremacy.

“I think there’s going to be a lot of parity this year,” he said.

LAWRENCE BULLDOGS

2007 results: 11-1, Eastern Maine Class A champion

Head coach: John Hersom, 4th year

Key players: Ben Violette, Sr., QB-DB; Brock Lawrence, Sr. RB-DB; Matt Perkins, Sr., TE-DB; Daven Giroux, Sr. OT-DT; Ken Pelotte, Sr., OG-DE; Kevin Pressey, Sr., OT-DT; Alex Tompkins, Sr., FB-LB; Keith Noyes, Sr., OG-DE

Outlook: The ‘Dogs have absorbed some heavy graduation losses, led by Fitzpatrick Trophy-winning quarterback Jack Hersom. But 24 seniors return, among them a solid cast of returning starters and some eager veterans who have waited for their turn. Lawrence won’t be as quick up front, but it’s the size and experience along the line of scrimmage that will ease the transition into starting roles for several new backs and receivers. It will be no surprise if the road to the Eastern A championship runs through Fairfield again this year.