Last week, the Maine Maritime Academy warmed up for the season with an exhibition game against Canadian school, Holland College. If that game — a 34-9 Maine Maritime victory — is any indication, central Mainers will play key roles for the Mariners when they open the season on Saturday at Anna Maria.
Lawrence grad Jake Doolan led the Mariners’ strong ground game with 147 yards on nine carries. Doolan scored a pair of touchdowns, the second on a 78-yard run. His twin brother, Josh Doolan, had 20 yards on five carries.
Gardiner grad Justin Lovely led MMA with 10 tackles.
The Mariners hope this year’s game against Anna Maria isn’t a repeat of 2013. Last season, Anna Maria scored 22 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to take a 55-49 win.
The Mariners went 1-8 last season, 1-6 in the New England Football Conference. Last month, MMA was ranked seventh in the league in the preseason coaches poll. Defending conference champion Endicott was picked first.
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After making the 1,300-mile round trip to Alfred, N.Y. for the season opener at Alfred University, Husson has this week off to prepare to face another team from the same Western New York town. This time, Alfred State will be making the long trip, and will come to Bangor next Saturday to face the Eagles.
Maranacook grad Ian Palmer started at defensive tackle for Husson last week and made five tackles. Oak Hill grad Luke Washburn also had five tackles for Husson, while Cony’s Rick Orio made four stops.
Husson opens Eastern Collegiate Football Conference play on Oct. 4 at home against conference favorite Norwich.
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The last conference in the nation to begin play each season is the New England Small College Athletic Conference. That means Colby, Bates and Bowdoin still have one more week before each begins play.
Colby opens the season Sept. 20 at Trinity. Bates plays at Amherst that day, while Bowdoin is at Williams.
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After a week off following a 10-6 win over Norfolk State in the season opener, Maine plays at Bryant University on Saturday.
While the Black Bears are 3-0 all-time against Bryant, Saturday’s game will not be a cakewalk. The Bulldogs are 2-0, including a 13-7 win over Stony Brook, Maine’s rival in the Colonial Athletic Association.
Maine enters the game ranked 23rd in the Football Championship Subdivision in the Sports Network Poll, and 20th in the FCS coaches poll.
Travis Lazarczyk — 861-9242
Twitter: @TLazarczykMTM
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