BUCKSPORT – The Bucksport High football team has always been in the mix in LTC Class C football and this year should be no exception.

The Bucks are looking for another run at an Eastern Maine title and beyond after a 7-2 third-place finish in 2003. Their season ended with a 22-14 first-round loss to Stearns of Millinocket.

Tenth-year head coach Joel Sankey has many goals, but he likes to start at least where his team finished last season.

“We just want to get back to the playoffs, then we’ll go from there,” he said.

The senior-laden Bucks are led by a lethal 1-2 punch on offense: quarterback Joey Carmichael and tailback Nick Tymozcko.

“We use a multiple set, and throw as much as anybody in the league,” Sankey said. “It’s hard to in Maine because of the weather. We can throw the ball and catch the ball well. It’s a huge difference when you’ve got 18-year-olds out there vs. 15-year-olds.”

Bucksport can also run the ball well. Tymozcko was one of the state’s top sprinters in the track and field season, and he could get many touches this season. Sankey said that Tymozcko averaged around 7 yards per carry last year while gaining 500 yards.

“He’ll be our starting tailback,” Sankey said.

Paving the way in the ground game will be guards Travis Tolman and Cody Wilson along with fellow lineman David Harvey.

On the defensive side of the ball, Sankey plays a Bill Belichick-style scheme.

“We’ll use a 4-3 and 4-4 pressure with an occasional five-man front,” he said.

Sankey likes his chances in a wide-open Class C.

“[John] Bapst will be greatly improved, Foxcroft will still be tough, and so will Mattanawcook [of Lincoln],” Sankey said. “Foxcroft won it all last year, so they’re still the favorites.”

The Golden Bucks will hit the road for their first two games of the season, in Readfield against Maranacook, then at Rockland.

In week three, they will return home to the friendly confines of Carmichael Field with a big early-season matchup with the defending state champion Ponies. The Bucks’ schedule is the same as a year ago as they are facing no Western Maine teams.

BUCKSPORT GOLDEN BUCKS

2003 results: 7-3, lost in Class C semifinal

Head Coach: Joel Sankey, 10th year

Key Players: Nick Tymozcko, RB-LB, Sr.; John Harvey, FB-LB, Sr.; Joey Carmichael, QB, Sr.; Travis Tolman G-DE, Sr.; Cody Wilson, G-DT, Sr.; David Harvey, DL-OL, Sr.

Outlook: After a first-round playoff exit in 2003, the Golden Bucks may be better than ever. Seniors Joey Carmichael (quarterback) and Nick Tymozcko (tailback) lead a powerful offense that could be tough to stop. Tymozcko could get more touches this year than a year ago.