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Coming into this season, the University of Maine tackle football club didn’t know what to expect. They had been in existence for just eleven months, but only practiced twice a week, and had yet to play a game. Two months later, things have changed.
The Black Bears are now East Division champions and next Sunday they look to achieve another first in team history as they battle East Division runner-up Central Maine in the conference playoffs at Alfond Stadium.
UMaine, 4-4, is coming off a road loss at the hands of the Southern Vermont Storm this past weekend. The West Division runner-up Storm used a timely offense and stifling defense amidst blustery and rainy conditions to defeat UMaine.
The Black Bears, who have been up and down game after game all season, come into the playoffs having won two of their last three games after suffering a three-game losing streak during the middle of the season. They’d previously won two straight to start the season.
“[We need to make] less mistakes [as] we have had fumbles in each of our last three games,” said player-coach Eric Whitman. “We can’t put our defense in bad positions early. Our running game has been great our last three games. We have had some slow starts to games offensively, so we do need to be quicker out of the gate.”
Central Maine has been a different story.
After starting out the season with a four-game losing streak, with one of those defeats at the hands of the Black Bears, the Warriors, 3-4, have rebounded to win three straight, including salvaging a split with a win against the Black Bears. They are hoping to make it four straight before they head into the playoffs as they play a make-up game this weekend against the Northeast Knights.
While UMaine and Central Maine split on the season, each having won on their home field, statistically the Black Bears hold the advantage. This season the Black Bears have scored 112 points, making them third best in the league, while Central Maine has only mustered 87 points, which stands second to last. On defense, the Black Bears have a distinct advantage as they are tied for second in points against, giving up only 70 on the season. The Warriors, however, still have one more regular season game to play and they have already given up 112 points, good for second to last in the league.
“[We need] consistent play on every play, [to] establish the running game early to control the tempo of the game, [and get] solid special teams to control the field position, and put our defense in position to make a big play for us,” Whitman said of UMaine’s strategy for winning next weekend’s game.
On offense, the Bears possess a deep and potent running attack in which Whitman, Matt Littlefield and Kevin Williams lead the way. The passing game, led by quarterback Brett Davison, has been suspect throughout the season, but in the past few weeks it has come along as wideout Gil Cyr has emerged as his go-to guy.
On defense, there are no question marks. Led by Dan Sprogis and Rob Laverdiere, the most points the Black Bears haven’t given up more than 19 points. While UMaine has a solid offense and spectacular defense, special teams could make the difference. If the game comes down to a battle of field position, the Black Bears have one of the best punters in the league in Gil Cyr, who gives them yet another weapon in their arsenal.
“It is very huge and means a great deal to us,” Whitman said of his team making the playoffs. “We wanted to make sure we had a quality team and represented UMaine well. We have a very special team with not only great players, but great guys all around, and I had no doubt from the beginning that we had an opportunity to do something special.”
With a week and a half left until the Black Bears host the Warriors in their first-ever playoff game, they will rest up this weekend as they have a bye week. The Warriors, however, have a make-up game on the road at the Northeast Knights, and then on Sunday, Nov. 12, the two will square off in the conference playoffs for the right to go to the NIFL Championship against the winner of the Western Conference playoffs. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Bangor Daily News