Coach: Dave Sterling (sixth year)
Conference: North Class: A
Last year’s record: 1-7
Returning players: Seniors — Drew Lashua (WR/S), Matt Verrill (QB), Corey Gillespie (RB/LB), Dillon Hummes (TE/DE); Isaac Cote (WR/DB), Trace Poirier (OL/DL), Jared Parent (OL/DL), Shammond Thomas (OL/DL); Juniors — Tyler Blanchard (RB/WR/DB), Noah Yarnevich (LB).
Key losses: Hunter Martin (TB/DB), Quinn Bradley (T/DE), Jake Vallee (DE), Brandon Henry (LB), Thomas Cedre (WR/CB), Charles Cedre (WR/CB).
Promising newcomers: Juniors — C.J. Jipson (SE/DB), Cobey Bullock (OL/DL), Calen Pelletier (DL), Mason Brushwein (DB), Justin Theriault (LB); Sophomores — Caden Begos (RB), Grant Hartley (LB/QB), Terrell Thomas (LB).
Season outlook: Edward Little is experienced and talented at the skill positions, and significant offseason time and energy was invested into tuning that engine. Verrill, who threw for five touchdowns in last year’s lone win at Noble, is a third-year starter at quarterback. Lashua, Gillespie, Blanchard, Hummes, Cote and Jipson give him some weapons. With Martin gone, the Eddies will join the spread offense revolution, so there will be a pass option, at least, on every play. Gillespie is one of only three returning starters on defense, but he is the leading returning tackler in the North division. That group will need to gel quickly for a season-opening trip to Bangor.
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