FAIRFIELD — The Lawrence High School football team is back in the Class A state title game for a second consecutive season. The Bulldogs (11-0) will play Thornton Academy at 11:06 a.m. Saturday at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland.

On Monday afternoon, captains Spencer Carey, Luke Lawrence and Anthony Sementelli took a moment to answer a few questions from staff writer Bill Stewart.

Q: When did you think the team had a chance to reach the Class A state game?

Carey: “Definitely this offseason. We definitely had the goal to get back there and we worked for it every day.”

Sementelli: “Honestly, after last year we all knew we’d come back this year. We knew we had a huge senior group and a lot of the same starters coming back. Everybody was ready to get back to state game.”

Lawrence: “The end of the offseason. We definitely wanted to get back to where we were.”

Q: Do you have any pre-game rituals?

Carey: “We have a team prayer that we do in the in locker room before we come out. We also have another team saying right before we get on the field.”

Sementelli: “I put my equipment on the same way every time.”

Lawrence: “Nothing really, just come in focused.”

Q: What is your favorite football memory?

Carey: “Definitely just being with the guys every day. Probably the last (PTC A) game we just won. That was special for us.”

Sementelli: “This year’s Eastern Maine game and last year’s Eastern Maine game.”

Lawrence: “Friday night under the lights.”

Q: Who has influenced you the most on the football field?

Carey: Definitely my brothers pushed me every day. Whether beating me up in the backyard or getting after me when I didn’t do something right.”

Sementelli: “Probably my dad. He’s pushed me not only in football but in general.”

Lawrence: “My dad and my brother.”

Q: What did you learn from playing in the Class A state game last year that will help you this year?

Carey: “Not to be satisfied. It’s nice to win Eastern Maine championship but it doesn’t pay off until you win the gold ball.”

Sementelli: “Just having that sense of you’ve been there before. You know the routine. It definitely helps you.”

Lawrence: “We know what to expect now with the big crowd. We have to get the job done now.”

What music do you listen to before a game?

Carey: “Whatever the guys throw on the radio. The pump-up speeches we have in the locker room.”

Sementelli: “Rap or hard rock. I like the rapper Juicy J.”

Lawrence: “The pump-up speeches.”

What is the toughest day of the football week?

Carey: “Tuesday or Wednesday. Usually those are our work days. Usually we get beat up the most then.”

Sementelli: “I think Saturday morning. Playing Friday nights you are sore Saturday morning.”

Lawrence: “Definitely Tuesday and Wednesday. It’s full pads and all we do is hit.”

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