Just three seasons ago, the Orono Red Riots finished as the worst team in 8-man football at 0-8. Now they’re gunning for their second consecutive state championship.
“We used to be everyone’s homecoming game,” Orono’s veteran head coach Bob Sinclair said with a laugh on Thursday. “We never got any interviews.”
The undefeated Riots upended No. 1 Old Orchard 46-18 last November to snap their 29-year championship drought and knock off the same team that pushed them around one state final prior.
Senior linemen Ashton Duran, Graham Higgins and Cooper Sawyer repelled Beach’s fearsome pass rush and seniors Ben Francis and Pierce Walston punched in five total rushing touchdowns (Walston caught another), securing a long-awaited gold football for Orono.
Now that physical and vocal senior class is gone, yet the Riots still have the duty to defend their state title. The question is, can they go back-to-back? The answer: It’s definitely possible.
With a healthy mix of seasoned returners ready to assume larger roles and established stars capable of steering the ship, the 2024 varsity Orono football team is prepared to win it all with a new identity and a fresh mindset, regardless of who they need to replace or what teams want to take them down.
“We’ve got a tougher schedule, and the boys understand there’s gonna be more pressure this year,” Sinclair said. “These kids know they just have to play football up to their ability, and be this team — that was that team. I want them to be themselves. They’re focused on one thing.”
At the centerpiece of this year’s team are seniors Jack Brewer (QB), Will Francis (WR/FS), Brady Grant (TE/DE), Brady Maheu (WR/CB) and Sal Wise (WR/CB).
Brewer threw for 2,401 yards in 10 games last year, with no interceptions and 40 touchdowns — 21 of which went to Francis. The tall, speedy wideout compiled 1,073 receiving yards on 46 catches, and also ran back two punts and a kickoff for touchdowns. Francis will also contribute as a free safety and linebacker.
On defense, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Grant led the way with 15 sacks, 14 tackles for losses, 22 quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles. He paced the team in all categories. Meanwhile, Maheu and Wise were superb at corner, combining for four interceptions, 16 pass breakups, three forced fumbles and 53 solo tackles.
On offense, Maheu and Wise had to compete with Francis, Walston and Walston’s younger brother Kase (out this season with a shoulder injury) for targets, combining for 15 catches and seven touchdowns. Wise will switch from a receiving tailback to the wide receiver position this year, and the duo will have more pronounced roles in Orono’s offense.
“It’s gonna be a different sort of challenge this year. It’s gonna be special. We still have a veteran group, but we were more of a veteran group last year,” Brewer said. “Some guys are moving positions and the targets are younger. It will be fun to work through that. [There’s] a different air in practice, but I think it’s gonna produce the same result.”
Replacing Ben Francis, Pierce Walston and Wise in the backfield will be junior tailback Kason Bagley, senior tailback Mason Hartery and senior power back Logan Williams. The trio combined for 338 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns last year.
Stepping up at the line will be three new starters in senior left tackle Zach Ryder, sophomore center Josh Wood and sophomore right tackle Auggie Baker. Grant will also contribute as a tight end.
“There’s a lot of new components, but we certainly have what it takes to win it again,” Wise said. “A lot of these guys that are younger know we’ve been through the slums and now we’re defending state champions. We had to fight our way up, and they’re picking that up from us.”
Orono hits the ground running with three crossover games versus 8-man Large opposition: Waterville on Friday, defending state champion MDI on Sept. 13, and Mt. Ararat/Hyde on Sept. 20.
The Waterville exhibition game and MDI home opener will take place at Orono High School at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively. Orono will also host reigning 8-man Small regional finalists Stearns/Schenck on Sept. 27, and another 8-man Large team (Lake Region) in their home finale on Oct. 25.
“We’ve got it in our heads that it’s gonna take a lot more to get back to that [state championship] game than last year,” Maheu said. “Hard work, intensity, focus at practice. We’re in that mindset.”
