Michael Brennan’s tried a variety of positions for the Maine Maritime Academy football team since arriving in Castine .
A quarterback for two years at Maranacook, Brennan gave that position a shot in the opening week of practice.
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“That lasted about a week,” the MMA senior said. “I wasn’t fast enough. I didn’t really fit in.”
A passer in high school, Brennan needed to become a runner in the Mariners’ option offense, one that routinely leads the nation in rushing yards per game. But there’s always a spot for football players and Brennan’s a football player.
“He’s played a little bit of everything,” MMA coach Chris McKenney said. “No. 1, he’s a great kid, and No. 2, he’s worked really hard.”
As he did at Maranacook, Brennan handled the Mariners’ place-kicking and kickoff duties since his freshman year. He also played wide receiver, then inside and outside linebacker and wide receiver again.
“I started three games at middle linebacker my sophomore year,” Brennan said. “I liked the physicality. I loved playing linebacker.”
Brennan came in at 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds but he’s leaving at 6-2, 215, a product of both maturity and hard work in the weight room. He started three games at linebacker last year, then moved back to wide receiver for his senior season.
There aren’t many balls thrown to anyone in an offense that runs the ball 90 percent of the time, but Brennan did catch nine this season. He did buy into his primary job, which is blocking for the running backs.
“It’d be nice catching more balls,” he said. “But it’s gratifying to know when we go for a long run, you’re part of it.”
Brennan was a good catcher in high school and thought he’d play baseball at one of Maine’s small colleges, but that changed after a visit from one of the MMA coaches.
“I’m not sure he even knew about Maine Maritime,” McKenney said.
Brennan admits he knew little about the school but he was sold on it and opted for football and a good education. He’s enrolled in the Maritime Engineering Operation and will be guaranteed a job upon graduation in May.
“I hope to ship out as an engineer on a merchant vessel,” he said. “There’s a lot of options you can do.”
McKenney said Brennan improved steadily since his arrival as both a kicker and a blocker.
“He’s had a great career here,” he said.
Brennan has followed Maranacook football this season, the best for the Black Bears in 30 years. He was part of a group of players that participated when the school joined the Developmental League and eventually gained varsity status.
The Mariners lost quarterback Matt Rende to injury with four games left, hurting their chances for the playoffs. But they’ve otherwise been one of the top schools in their conference for several years in a row.
“We’ve got a great winning tradition here at this school,” he said. “I like it. I made a lot of good friends. It’s a tight-knit community, everyone knows who you are.”
Gary Hawkins — 621-5638
ghawkins@centralmaine.com
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