GARDINER — Gardiner Area High School junior Dennis Meehan plays one of the most visible positions on a gridiron: quarterback.

His impact as a special teams ace, however, stretches well beyond making a key throw or handing off the ball or even blocking an oncoming defender.

Additional Photos

Gardiner's Dennis Meehan kicks an extra point during a game against Oceanside earlier in the season at Hoch Field in Gardiner. Staff photo by Joe Phelan

“People overlook him,” Gardiner senior running back and captain Alonzo Connor said. “But he’s a good weapon to have. He’s made a huge difference for us.”

Gardiner first-year coach Matt Burgess made it a point to diversify the offense this season, opening up the passing game a bit to prevent run-stopping defenses from stacking the box.

Meehan, backed with a strong arm and good field vision, has excelled, throwing for more than 300 yards and six touchdowns.

But it’s his role as the punter/kicker — often overlooked components of the game — that has made him stand out.

“He’s played a huge role for our defense,” Burgess said. “He really does go unnoticed. We have to be careful that we don’t wear him out, but he does a little of everything for us. He kicks. He punts. He plays quarterback.

“We’ve been able to do some pooch punts because of him, and it’s nice to have a consistent (point after touchdown) kicker. We even have two field goals this year, which is important. Now that we are in the playoffs, this can be really important in a close game.”

No. 3 Gardiner (6-2) opens the Pine Tree Conference Class B playoffs Friday night at 7 when No. 6 Waterville (4-4) comes to Hoch Field for a quarterfinal game.

The quiet Meehan, who has competed and shined at regional Punt, Pass and Kick competitions over the years, said he takes great pride in his special teams role.

“I take it seriously,” he said. “I work on it a lot. Some people say that kicking and punting is just a third part of the game. I don’t believe it.”

Meehan played soccer from when he was “little-little” to eighth grade. He started playing football in seventh grade and used his legs to earn himself playing time. After all, strong and reliable kickers are a rarity in scholastic football.

Meehan showed off his leg from the get-go, kicking a 47-yard field goal against Skowhegan while playing on the freshman team.

He says he feels comfortable kicking field goals of 45 yards or more today, depending on conditions. He also gets a rush when he pins an opponent inside its own 10-yard line. He smiles when opposing teams show their respect by backing up to the goal line on kickoffs.

“I think it’s a big weapon to have,” he said. “Pinning a team deep, it’s not as much as throwing a touchdown, but it boosts me up.”

Gardiner is holding opponents to 17.1 points a game, which ranks near the top of PTC B.

Eddie Donnell, one of the captains on the defense, credits Meehan with an assist.

“It’s such a huge difference to have someone who can back a defense down,” he said. “Unless there is a big runback, we never start with the ball on our side of the field because of Dennis. It’s funny because people only know him as the quarterback.”

Added linebacker Teddy Worthley: “Dennis does a lot things for us. He’s a tough kid. We all appreciate what he does for the defense, too.”

Game days are always a bit more involved for Meehan. He usually begins his on-field preparations by practicing with the special teams about an hour before opening kickoff.

He then progresses to warming up his arm to play quarterback.

“I usually get taped up and then go down to the field by 5:45 to 6 p.m. (for a 7 p.m. game),” he said. “I kick field goals and extra points, and then I work on punting. Then I try to loosen my arm up.”

By the time kickoff comes, Meehan is ready to make an impact, albeit one that may go unnoticed.

“I had a good idea coming in who could do what for us,” Burgess said. “I knew I had a kicker. He’s learning. We can do a lot with him.”

Bill Stewart — 621-5640

bstewart@mainetoday.com

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