Here are five players to watch in the Maine Class C North football ranks during the 2016 season that begins Friday night.
Nate St. Amand, running back-defensive back, Winslow: The senior was the Black Raiders’ top breakaway threat a year ago in helping his team win its second-straight state championship — erupting for 331 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries in the Class C North final against Old Town. His big-play potential in tandem with fullback Kenny Rickard will be a featured part of Winslow’s offense again this fall.
Billy Brock, running back-linebacker, Foxcroft Academy: The rugged senior likely will be the Ponies’ lead rusher this fall after he barely carried the ball a year ago because of a broken hand suffered during the preseason. Brock also is a returning first-team, all-conference linebacker after overcoming that injury to rank among Foxcroft’s top tacklers in 2015.
Croix Albee, fullback-linebacker, Mount Desert Island: Albee is back to anchor the Trojans’ run-oriented “T” attack from his fullback slot after earning second-team, all-conference recognition last fall as a sophomore. His combination of strength and quickness at linebacker also figures to be a key element of the MDI defense as coach Mark Shields’ club seeks its 11th consecutive playoff berth.
T.J. Crawford, running back-linebacker, Old Town: This senior led the Coyotes with more than 1,100 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns last fall as Old Town reached the Class C North title game. He also ranked among Old Town’s leading tacklers from his outside linebacker slot, and he earned all-conference honors on both offense and defense in 2015.
Nick Morales, running back-linebacker, Madison-Carrabec: Morales’ game-breaking potential has been a key factor in the Bulldogs ending a long playoff drought with back-to-back postseason appearances in 2014 and 2015. He exceeded 1,000 rushing yards last fall in helping coach Scott Franzose’s club gain the No. 4 seed in Class C North and earn its first home playoff date in two decades.
