After winning the final two games of its 2006 campaign, the Bowdoin Football Team hopes to continue its success this season.
"After outstanding performance in the off-season, and the personnel adjustments that we have made to our defense, we shouldn't be happy with anything less than a winning record," senior tri-captain Roger Donelly said.
The team will look to an experienced offensive line to lead the attack.
"We have a veteran offensive line returning," Head Coach Dave Caputi said, "lead by our two tackles?senior captain Rogan Donelly and classmate Matt McCall?both entering their third year as starters."
"Juniors Ray Wang, Ben Larkins and Gus Spaulding will man the center and guard positions, and sophomore Sam Hankinson provides depth," he added.
The O-Line must provide protection for sophomore Oliver Kell who will get the nod at quarterback, Caputi said.
Last season, Kell was forced into the lineup thanks to a spate of injuries among upperclassmen, and led the team to wins in its final two games and Bowdoin football's first CBB championship since 1998.
Caputi also pointed to depth at wide receiver and running back as strengths of this year's squad.
"Defensively, we lack experience and size, but have depth," said Caputi. Senior tri-captains Tim Colton and Brandon Sparks will rotate in at defensive end, along with junior Ben Shulman.
The team also will enjoy the return of versatile athlete junior Damon Hall-Jones who may see time at both inside and outside linebacker, as well as along the defensive line.
Polar Bear football will look to start the season off with an upset win when they face defending NESCAC champions Williams College at Whittier Field on Saturday at 1 p.m.
"We have to play the game at our tempo," Donelly said. "If we can get on top early on in the game, we will be in a great position for the 'W.'"
Williams travels to Brunswick riding a 14-game winning streak and the conference's returning Offensive Player of the Year, senior quarterback Pat Lucey.
Lucey will man an offense that ranked first in the conference in points per game, 34.5, last year.
Although Williams will certainly be in the running for a second straight NESCAC championship, and a repeat performance of its undefeated 2006 season, the Polar Bears hope to defeat the Ephs in their season opener.
"Our team chemistry is the best I've seen in years," Donelly said. "We all want to win this year and no one will settle for anything less than perfection."