By Kevin Mills,Staff Writer
The former Livermore Falls standout will start at right guard for the Black Bears.

ORONO – It is the chance for which he has worked and waited. It will also be an opportunity he might have never imagined when he first took his game to the University of Maine.

Shawn Demaray is expecting to make his first start as an offensive lineman for the Black Bear football team, and it just so happens that it could be at Nebraska against the Big 12 power

“I’m excited about it,” said Demaray, a guard. “Playing Nebraska is going to be more than I ever hoped for. It’s a big challenge. You grow up watching Division I football on television, and you’re like, Wow, we’re going to go there and play. We’re going to be on TV.’ It’s a great opportunity.”

The sophomore was a former all-star lineman and linebacker at Livermore Falls. After red-shirting his first year, he had a backup role last year. His only appearance came late in a game against Northern Colorado last September.

“It was fun,” he said. “I got about 20 reps. It was nice. I was going from red-shirting as a freshman and not seeing the field at all. Then you get in and play a little bit. Even if you’re like cleaning up, it’s still fun.”

He won’t be seeing mop-up duty this season. He’s one of two new expected starters on the line, joining Chris Arnao, a 6-foot-7, 302-pound red-shirted freshman. They team up with veteran center Ben Lazarski, senior tackle Ryan Bird and junior guard Justin Roberts. Sophomore Jake Folz, a 6-2, 285-pound former lineman from Oxford Hills, is slated as a backup and could see more action as well.

“Shawn’s a blue-collar kid,” said Brian Scott, the offensive line coach. “You love those kids, especially up front. He’s a tough kid, and everything he’s done is all on his own. He came here as a 250-pounder, and now he’s 275. He’s come a long way.”

Demaray got word that he was competing for a starting spot last spring. Between that and his brief taste of action last year, that was all the incentive needed. He’s been working extra hard this summer to gain strength and bulk.

“He was a little bit stiff last year, but he doesn’t miss a lift and he doesn’t miss a workout,” said Scott.

Demaray was in the 270-pound range in high school, but admited he was “fat and out of shape.” He dropped down to 230 by the time he went to Maine. In a year-and-a-half, he built his body back up to 275 pounds, but this time, the extra weight is all muscle.

“He definitely wasn’t gifted with the most football ability,” said Scott, “but he’s got a great heart. He’s continued to work hard and he listens.”

Demaray carried his offseason work over into camp this fall, earning his place in the starting lineup.

“Coming into camp, I was a little nervous,” said Demaray. “I was a little skeptical to see if I could hang with the (first team). Then after the first couple of practices, I was like, I’m just as good as anybody else out here.’ Once you get your confidence up, that’s all you really need.”

He’s spent much of his first two years doing what the team calls “mental reps.” He watched and observed, hoping for a chance to implement what he’s learned.

“Once you get in there and start doing it, things start clicking,” said Demaray. “It’s a scary feeling going up to the line, and you don’t know what you’re doing. Now that I know what I’m doing it’s a lot easier.”

“Now he needs to step it up,” said Scott. “He’s on the fringe of getting a starting job. The next thing is to show that he can play in this league. He still hasn’t played a game, and you set goals from there.

“With his work ethic, he can do anything he wants. It’s up to him from here on out.”