WINSLOW — Winslow High School football coach calls Shane O’Connell “The Gov,” because O’Connell served as the Governor of Boys State this past summer. Siviski calls Vitaliano Tantoco “Vital,” because of his importance to the Black Raiders’ line play.

So, what does Siviski call Eric Crawley, his fullback turned guard turned back to fullback?

“I don’t know,” Siviski said. “Some of the kids have started calling him Bowling Ball.”

Nicknames aside, Crawley, Tantoco, and O’Connell have each proven key to Winslow’s season. With their play and their leadership, helping the young Black Raiders surge to a 5-1 record in their first season in Campbell Conference Class C.

“We weren’t really certain how we were going to transition to Class C. It’s been pretty good. We don’t know a lot about our opponents, but they don’t know much about us, sometimes,” O’Connell said. “We could definitely do better, but we’re still happy with our record.”

Winslow can clinch a home game in the first round of the playoffs with a win Saturday at Oak Hill. With just 12 seniors and 11 juniors, Winslow’s underclassmen have to contribute.

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“They’re trying to bring the younger group along,” Siviski said.

“We’ve got some young guys stepping up into big roles. They’re really helping us out because we’ve got small numbers,” Crawley said.

A three-year starter at linebacker, Crawley moved from fullback to guard last season to help bolster the offensive line. In the preseason, the 5-foot-11, 230-pound Crawley moved back to fullback.

“We’ve got some good players we can put on the line, and Coach (Siviski) thought I’d be better at fullback. It’s good I’ve got the line up there to help me out, because without them, we wouldn’t get any of the yards we’re getting,” Crawley said.

Crawley sealed last week’s 28-27 overtime win against Dirigo by recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown.

“Eric is very versatile. He’s a prototypical guard-fullback-linebacker, and he’s hard to take down once he gets running. If we had to throw him in at guard right now, he’d do it,” Siviski said.

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One of the players opening holes for Crawley and the other backs is the 5-10, 175-pound Tantoco, who starts at guard and defensive end.

“He’s not very big, but he’s quick,” Siviski said of Tantoco.

O’Connell is a leader in the Black Raiders’ defensive backfield.

“Shane O’Connell helps out a lot in Coach P’s (Jim Poulin) secondary, recognizing formations, calling defenses, calling the secondary, everything. He does a lot of things,” Siviski said.

The game in which the younger players started to get it was at Winthrop on Sept. 23. The Black Raiders won 40-13 with a number of young players contributing.

“Winthrop was the turning point,” Tantoco said.

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The biggest thing the Black Raiders are trying to do as the regular season winds down is play a complete game. Some, like Saturday’s game against Dirigo, for instance, Winslow played an excellent first half only to let the opponent back into the game. Winslow held a 21-7 lead over the Cougars before Dirigo fought back to force overtime.

“We’re trying to play four quarters, and not come out in the second half all flat,” Tantoco said.

With the captains helping teach the game to the younger players, O’Connell feels the future, not just this season, looks bright.

“I’m just glad they’re learning the system a year earlier,” O’Connell said. “That will just help in the long term with the program, and help Winslow stay strong.”

Travis Lazarczyk — 861-9242

tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com

 


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