LINCOLN – The Mattanawcook Academy varsity football team struggled last year, winning only two of its nine games, but this year the team returns after working hard in the weight room during the offseason. Head coach Mike Bisson believes that the players’ work ethic during the offseason and preseason will translate into better results.

“We were small and not very fast [last year], but the guys have worked hard in the weight room [in the offseason],” said Bisson.

Bisson said he has been very impressed with the workouts the players have done to improve.

“The kids have had a great work ethic, they’ve worked hard to get bigger, stronger, and faster,” said Bisson, “I couldn’t ask for more from the players.”

The team lost seven seniors last year, including their starting quarterback, and this year the team features eight seniors, so expect to see a lot of underclassmen on the field.

“We have a lot of contributing juniors and a couple of sophomores that are going to play a big role, so we have senior leadership but we’re also building some nice depth behind them,” Bisson said.

Bisson said the team will be primarily a running team this year, and the coaching staff has added ex-Stearns head coach Art Greenlaw to its ranks. Greenlaw has been working mostly with the offensive line to help improve the run game, said Bisson.

While Greenlaw’s coaching experience will help bolster the run game, Bisson said the coaches are trying to be consistent with what they taught the players last year.

The team hopes to make the playoffs this season, but believes in order to do so, the Lynx need to stay focused on its goals, said Bisson.

“[To be successful we need to] continue to improve every week, work on the small things, and the bigger picture will take care of itself,” said Bisson.

The Lynx open the season with a home game against Dexter. Dexter struggled last year, also, so this game could be a good chance for the Lynx to get the season off to the right start.

Bisson said he expects a challenging season, as the league will feature plenty of tough teams.

“I think the league as a whole is going to be very competitive. … There are no really weak teams; I think every week we’re going to have to be ready to play,” he said.

While Mattanawcook struggled last year, Bisson has been impressed with the community support the team has received.

“The fans have been extremely supportive. We go to a lot of away games where we’ll have more fans than the home team,” said Bisson.

MATTANAWCOOK ACADEMY LYNX

2003 results: 2-7, tied for 8th in LTC C

Head coach: Mike Bisson, 1st year

Key players: Matt Morin, G-LB, Sr.; Corey Drost, WR-CB, Sr.; Nate Brown, OT-DT, Sr.; Justin Bard, G-LB, Sr.; Mackenzie Haines, FB-DE, Sr.

Outlook: The Lynx hope to improve on their 2-7 record from last year and win a spot in the Eastern Maine Class C playoffs. Bisson said he is worried about the depth of the team but hopes that they can stay healthy and improve throughout the season.