BREWER, Maine — Team unity and unselfishness were key ingredients in the success of the 2005 Brewer High School football team.
The Witches, coached by Ed Ortego, captured the Class B state championship that year — the first for Brewer since the famed 1970 squad won the Class A title under Ken Perrone.
This year’s team, coached by Nick Arthers, is trying to establish those same qualities in its quest for a memorable season. Brewer is off to a 3-0 start.
“The biggest thing that they did is they bonded together as a complete group, and that’s one of the things that we’re really trying to portray to these guys,” Arthers said after Friday’s resounding 47-8 victory over Gardiner at Doyle Field. “If we can do that, we have the capability of playing some really good football.”
Brewer honored Ortego and members of the 2005 team during halftime of the game. Ortego, who lives in Louisiana, was presented with a game ball from the Witches’ 33-0 state game victory over York.
The 2015 Witches paid tribute to the champions by wearing the same orange jerseys from that season. The former players were allowed to take home a jersey once the game was over.
“It was great to have all the [2005] guys out there,” Arthers said. “They came to practice [Thursday] night, and they had a chat with the kids. In talking to them, they were saying that they saw a lot of similarities in the two teams.”
Ortego and some members of his team also spoke to this year’s contingent during their Thursday practice session.
“It gave us a lot of confidence,” said Brewer senior tailback Dylan Severance. “They said they were proud of us and what we had accomplished this year, and they wanted us to see what we can really do [Friday night], and I think we showed them.”
What the Witches showed off was a versatile ground attack. It began up front with an offensive line that consistently provided running room.
“Everybody had a great game, opened up the holes, and we just hit the holes hard and got yards,” said junior fullback Ray Wood.
Wood provided the power element, bashing his way to 75 yards on 10 carries. He often was the aggressor taking on Gardiner defensive players.
“That’s just how I was taught. Anybody comes my way, just run them over,” Wood said.
“Once you hit them once good at the beginning of the game, they’re going to be shy, and they’re not going to want to get hit again,” he added.
Severance demonstrated his field vision and acceleration. He finished with 12 carries for 144 yards and three touchdowns.
“We’ve got Dylan with the speed, and he’s going to be more the finesse guy, and Ray’s going to be our power back,” Arthers said. “When we need a short-distance run, he’s the guy that we’re going to be looking to really pound it up the middle and get the tough yards.”
The Witches also showed plenty of balance as Garrett Ireland netted 82 yards on 10 carries and quarterback Logan Rogerson added four carries for 59 yards with a touchdown.
“We tried to simplify what we’ve been running for plays and really focus on a set amount of what we have in our playbook,” Arthers said. “The line has really started picking up different reads up front on the defense, and our backs are real hungry to run the ball hard and get up in there and make contact.”
Brewer is preparing for Friday’s 7 p.m. showdown on the road against undefeated Skowhegan (3-0) at Reggie Clark Field.