Running back Lance Meader has helped balance the attack at Mt. Blue.
By Randy Whitehouse
Staff Writer

FARMINGTON – In his three years on the Mt. Blue varsity, Nate Bolduc hasn’t seen anything like it.

The Cougars, known for their run-and-shoot “Cougar Gun” offense, are running to set up the pass.

“It’s been a lot different because the last couple of years, we’ve been passing the ball a lot more,” said Bolduc, a wideout whose work-load has been significantly reduced by the Cougars’ sudden change in offensive philosophy. “Being able to run the ball and having our passing game feed off the run instead of the other way around, I think, has been great for both (the running and passing game). It’s opened up a lot of different things.”

The Cougars, who face top-seeded Bangor in the PTC semifinals tonight at Cameron Stadium, have been opening it up a lot on the opposition, even though they’re doing it by running two-thirds of the time rather than throwing it that often. Part of that is because of a veteran offensive line, led by Cal Miller, Jake Richards and Garrett Strout. It’s also because of a 180-pound senior tailback, Lance Meader, who may be one of the most underrated running backs in the state.

“You know as soon he gets through the line, he’s gone, and you can just go down (to the end zone) and celebrate,” Bolduc said. “It’s really fun watching Lance run.”

Bolduc and his teammates have had a lot of chances for fun and celebration thanks to Meader, who has rung up 1,468 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Meader has helped change the way coach Gary Parlin and his staff think on offense

“In past years, when it’s been second-and-nine or third-and-five or more, we’ve pretty much had to throw it,” said Parlin. “In (last week’s) Skowhegan game, we ran the ball on some second-and-elevens, third-and-eights, because we really think we can make it. It’s made it easier to game-plan because you have more options.”

It’s clear, though, why Meader is Option A.

“He’s really only had one game where I thought he was a little sloppy running the ball and not following his blocks,” Parlin said. “That’s what he does. He follows his blocks well. He makes his instinctive cuts. One time I had somebody ask me why he didn’t play more last year. I didn’t have an answer for that one.”

Meader ran for over 500 yards as a junior backing up Ryan Hutchinson, but most of the buzz surrounding the Cougars entering the season centered on the fact that they had a trio of three-year starters returning on the line. Few focused on what Meader’s impact would be. In fact, some still haven’t caught up to the elusive running back.

“I’ve never seen a running back gain 1,400 yards and not get any notoriety like Lance Meader,” Parlin said. “We’ve had three running backs in school history gain 200 yards in one game and he’s done it twice this year.”

The soft-spoken Meader doesn’t mind the lack of attention.

“I haven’t really been noticed that much. But that’s good for me. People haven’t really been keying on me,” he said.

Meader’s impact on the defense hasn’t gone unnoticed. At first, the coaching staff wanted to save him for offense. But when the defense got off to a slow start, they made several moves, including inserting Meader at free safety and switching Joe Starbird from safety to cornerback, that have made the Cougars a dominant defensive force in the second half of the season.

“Having Lance and Joey gives us tons of speed back there, which makes teams make another play once they get through the line instead of just breaking through the line and going all the way,” said Bolduc, who was an all-conference selection at safety last year.

Typically, Meader downplays his impact on the defense.

“A lot of the work’s been going on in front of me, which has been good,” he said. “We’re back there just to protect.”

He looks at things the same way on offense. The big guys up front do most of the work, Meader says.

“He’s really an unselfish kid. As a matter of fact, he’s been kind of embarrassed by some of the notoriety he’s gotten of late,” said Parlin. “He’s managed to stay under the radar. I don’t know how.”