Mt. Blue returned just four starters from an offense that averaged 47 points per game in 2011, but in their season opener at Brewer on Friday night, the Cougars didn’t miss a beat.

Mt. Blue won 55-22 and quarterback Jordan Whitney completed 14 of 16 passes for 300 yards and three touchdowns.

“He made a couple throws, he had some pressure,” Mt. Blue coach Gary Parlin said. “He completed three screens, and the rest were downfield.”

The Cougars have scored at least 40 points in eight of their last 12 games, dating back to the start of the 2011 season. Mt. Blue graduated its top four receivers, but new wideouts Nick Hyde and Cam Abbott played well Friday. Abbott caught a touchdown pass, while Hyde caught a pair of touchdowns and had an interception.

“(Hyde’s) one of those guys who had to wait his turn, because he was behind Cam Sennick and Nick Hilton. Most of the playing time he got last year was when we were ahead,” Parlin said. “Pound for pound, he’s the toughest kid we have.”

On the offensive line, tackle Eli Luker is the lone returning starter.

“The offensive line, which was our greenest part, did a nice job. They’re improving faster than we expected,” Parlin said.

Mt. Blue hosts Madison on Friday.

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Messalonskee seniors Chris Delisle and Josh Woodard split time at quarterback in the Eagles’ 21-19 win over Cony on Friday. Coach Wes Littlefield said that will continue.

“Right now, they’re pretty neck and neck. We’ll continue to use both of them,” Littlefield said.

Each brings different strengths to the position. Delisle is a strong runner and blocker, key traits to have when put in charge of Messalonskee’s double-wing offense. Woodard is a good general, Littlefield said, who throws a good ball, which is important when trying to keep defenses from loading up at the line of scrimmage against the run-heavy double wing.

Delisle started the game and led the Eagles on a quick scoring drive on their first possession. At the end of the game, Woodard was under center when Messalonskee needed a first down to run out the clock.

Messalonskee plays at Lewiston on Friday.

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An injury to junior quarterback Kenny McGray forced Mt. View coach Jack Brady to play freshman Cole Hannan under center in Friday’s season opener in Millinocket against Stearns.

“All in all, (Hannan) did a pretty good job,” Brady said. “He was pretty intimidated at first, but he settled down.”

McGray dislocated two fingers on his throwing hand in the Mustangs exhibition game against Belfast. Brady said McGray could be ready to play Saturday, when the Mustangs host John Bapst.

Mt. View lost at Stearns, 52-20, but senior tailback Will Nunn ran for 241 yards and three touchdowns. Getting more weapons involved against John Bapst is important, Brady said.

“We can’t let them key on Will, or we’re done,” Brady said.

Saturday’s game will be Mt. View’s first on the new football field at the high school. When Mt. View started playing football six years ago, it played at Belfast. The last two seasons, the Mustangs used Larrabee Field in Knox as their home.

“It’s been a long time coming. It’s an incredibly nice facility. We’re all excited about it,” Brady said.

 

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Nokomis will get a boost this week with the return of senior tailback/defensive back Drew Wing.

Wing recently returned from Army boot camp, and although he could not play, he joined the Warriors on Saturday when they traveled to Rockland to complete their opening game against Oceanside. Wing will provide veteran depth to the Nokomis backfield and secondary, and coach Haggie Pratt said he hopes Wing will be able to play this week against Hampden Academy.

“(Wing) looks in great shape,” Pratt said. “We’re excited to have him back. The kids are excited to have him on the team.”

Wing attended boot camp at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., said his father, Bob Wing.

“He had his first practice (Monday), and when he came home, he did 500 pushups and 500 situps. And he ran two miles this morning,” Bob Wing said. “He came back a young man.”

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Around the state: Brunswick’s Jared Jensen ran for 428 yards and five touchdowns in a 36-28 win over Bangor on Friday. In the entire 2011 season, Jensen ran for 129 yards and three touchdowns… Some streaks ended, and others continues in Week 1. Yarmouth’s win streak was snapped at 24 with a loss to Oak Hill. Cheverus extended its win streak to 25 with a victory at Sanford. Leavitt’s win streak over Pine Tree Conference Class B opponents is now 34 after a win at Hampden… The average margin of victory in Little Ten Conference games in Week 1 was 34 points. None of the league’s six games was decided by less than 14 points.

Travis Lazarczyk — 861-9242

tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com