LEWISTON – Mark Harriman has one message for his team as Bates begins the 2004 season this weekend.

“Staying close is no longer an option,” Harriman said.

Last season, six of the Bobcats’ eight games were decided by 10 or fewer points, with Bates posting a 2-4 record in those close games on its way to a 2-6 mark overall.

“We’ve got to find ways to come out on top of those,” said Harriman, entering his seventh season at the Bates helm. “We expect to be in every game now, it’s just a matter of having guys make the plays to get on the winning side.”

The question is whether they’ll have the experience having lost 13 of 22 starters. The offense, where the Bobcats will have to replace four linemen, their top receiver and their quarterback, will be young and potentially explosive.

Harriman said experience isn’t a concern because a number of the new starters saw considerable playing time in the past.

“I think we’re actually a little more athletic than last year,” Harriman said.

They’re also deep in some key spots. At running back, the Bobcats return last year’s NESCAC Offensive Rookie of the Year, sophomore Ken Adams. The 5-11, 200 pound Adams rushed for 666 yards as a freshman in just six games. When he missed the final two games with an injury, Jamie Walker, also a sophomore this year, took over and ran for over 300 yards, including a start in which he set a school record for rushing attempts with 45 in a win over Bowdoin last year.

Neither back should have to worry about carrying such a heavy load this year.

“It takes the pressure off being able to make sure they’re fresh the whole time,” Harriman said. “We’re going to try to find ways to get them both on the field as much as possible.”

Fullbacks Ryan Fitzpatrick and Adam Poplaski return to lead the way for Adams and Walker. Bates also has a number of its top receivers back from last year, including seniors Matt Orlando, Billy Ball and Lewiston High School product Rob Dion.

“That is by far, from top to bottom, the deepest group I’ve had here,” Harriman said. “It’s a deep group and very athletic.”

Junior Anthony Arger will get the nod at quarterback. Arger saw playing time as a freshman but missed all of last season with a non-football injury to the shoulder of his throwing arm, which is fully recovered, according to Harriman.

Protecting Arger will be a rebuilt offensive line led by John Pambianchi, the only returning starter, and a pair of 265-pound juniors, center Joe McDermott and guard Ross Ingham.

Harriman is excited about his defense, which is young but boasts a good combination of size and speed.

Talented sophomore defensive ends Terence Ryan and Eric Obeng lead the Bobcats up front.

Linebacker Dave Bodger will be another top playmaker.

“He’s really stepped in and he’s going to be a good one,” Harriman said of the former Lewiston star.

Senior Matt Mann, an impact player according to Harriman, moves from cornerback to safety to lead the secondary. Jason Moody, Adam Kayce and freshman Kevin Reyes also figure to be key contributors.

The Bobcats open the season today at two-time defending NESCAC champion Trinity, owners of the longest winning streak in the nation with 14 straight victories.

The home opener is Oct. 9 against Williams, a team Bates beat last year for the first time in its history.

Then the Colby-Bates-Bowdoin rivalry heats up when Bates hosts the Mules on Oct. 30, then travels to Bowdoin, who the Bobcats have beaten each of the last five years, on Nov. 6.