READFIELD — Caleb Castonguay drops back in the pocket and quickly surveys the field.
He shoots a glance right, then left.
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Castonguay, Maranacook’s senior quarterback, has ample options to throw to — but it’s no secret who he’s targeting on this play at practice.
“I look for Andrew, yeah,” Castonguay said. “I know no matter what he’s going to catch it. He’s got good hands and he knows how to get open.”
He is fellow senior Andrew Lachance, a tight end/wide receiver.
Combined, the two form one of the best quarterback-receiver tandems in Campbell Conference’s Class C division. They have helped the Black Bears (2-0) stay competitive in the conference despite key losses to graduation.
“They are both quiet kids,” Maranacook coach Joe Emery said. “They both lead by example. They are really football-savvy kids. It’s the best way to describe them. They can go out there and just figure things out on their own.”
Lachance and Castonguay are three-year starters for Maranacook, which reached the conference semifinals last season. Both are putting up impressive numbers in the early going. Castonguay has completed just 9 of 23 passes for 216 yards. Five of those completions went for touchdowns, including four to Lachance.
Castonguay has also rushed for 101 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Lachance has six receptions for 92 yards.
“We push each other,” he said. “It’s awesome, playing with one of the best quarterbacks in the league. We have good chemistry together.”
They certainly have a history. Lachance and Castonguay started playing football in fourth grade. They then played for Emery on the 5th- and 6th-grade team.
“I knew then,” Emery said, “that they were going to be good. They made that connection right away. They have a special bond. They didn’t win very much going through; I think they won one game in their eighth grade year. But they are enjoying winning now.”
Castonguay says he tries to spread the ball around to his many receivers and running backs. He does, however, acknowledge that the 6-foot-1 Lachance is a security blanket on the field.
“I have faith in all my receivers,” Castonguay said. “I do look at him first but I like to throw to everyone. But Andrew is a big target.”
Added Lachance: “One of my strengths, I think, is just getting to the ball. I try to make it easier on him.”
Lachance and Castonguay say they are good friends off the field. They both compete on the outdoor track and field team and work out together in the offseason.
There personalities are somewhat similar, but, of course, there are a few differences.
“I’m more of an outdoors person than he is,” Castonguay said. “He’s more of a studying guy. I like to be more outdoors. I like to hunt. I am the redneck. We don’t do a lot of the same things together, but we both love football.”
And they both hope the wins will continue to add up this season in what is shaping up to be a highly competitive conference.
“We’ve had some good wins but we want to keep it rolling,” Lachance said. “Watching film, we know we can get better. We just need to keep moving forward.”
Added Castonguay: “I put a lot of pressure on myself. It takes a lot for me to be satisfied with how I play. I know I believe in this team. I think we can win.”
Bill Stewart — 621-5640
bstewart@centralmaine.com
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