Reduced enrollment hasn’t done a thing to diminish the tradition of three powerful Pine Tree Conference football programs.

Winslow, Gardiner and Waterville have dominated the conversation in the Class B division since retreating from the Class A ranks in Eastern Maine. Actually, Winslow has been a dominant force there for two decades, while Waterville and Gardiner enter their third season as perennial title contenders in their new digs.

The old guard has been willing to take its lumps, secure in the knowledge that the baptism by fire eventually will enable it to even the score.

So could this be the year?

Most of the starters for state champion Gardiner removed their black-and-orange jerseys for the final time after that win over Mountain Valley last November. Winslow bid farewell to a baker’s dozen of graduates, eight of them offensive starters.

Morse, Leavitt and Oak Hill are rated as serious contenders this autumn, even beyond the boundaries of their own preseason camps.

“I think on paper, Morse has to get the top spot,” said Leavitt coach Mike Hathaway. “They’ve got a lot of quality kids, particularly on defense.”

Linebackers Jaime Wallace and J Cavanagh, defensive lineman Carl Nygaard and defensive back Ryan Chaney lead that group for the Shipbuilders. Morse will have to replace all-state running back Darrus Grate, but Cavanagh and Pat Wolfe are among the contenders to step in and give the Shipbuilders a more punishing, clock-killing ground game.

Tight end J.D. Gurski and flanker Cam Bishop, both seniors, will ensure that Waterville’s attack remains balanced. Josh Gaudette or Kyle Bishop will run the offense, with the other likely lining up at receiver.

QB Scott Siviski and FB Eric Bezanson return for Winslow. Don’t count out the reigning champions, either. Not with Forest Chadwick and Peter Caradonna working out of the backfield behind experienced linemen Andrew Kelley and Isac Cone for the Tigers.

Leavitt may boast more playmakers than ever in its spread option offense. Junior Eric Theiss steps in at quarterback. Theiss has a strong, accurate arm and won’t lack for support.

“(Three-year starting tailback) Tyler Green and (slot receiver) Josh Strickland both ran a 4.6 40-yard dash at the University of Maine camp,” Hathaway said. “And if you look at our receivers, Cam Griffin and Kolin Gauthier are 6-foot-3 or 6-4. Jordan Hersom is a 6-3 freshman. Tyler Allen is a 6-4 sophomore. I think we’ll be able to throw deep more than we have in the past.”

If the Hornets have to grind it out in the rain and cold, Green has the experience to make it happen. At 190 pounds, Mitch Cobb is the smallest starter on an offensive line that features Zach Renaud (350), Doug Nash (260), Matt Pellerin (240), Luke Wiley (240) and tight end Buck Bochtler.

The Hornets lost only two starters on defense and welcome back their top two tacklers, linebackers Phillip Russell and Kolby Youland. Wiley, Pellerin and Mat Porter, all juniors, were the starting defensive tackles in last year’s playoff loss to Waterville.

“We’ve got some experience and guys that know how to practice,” Hathaway said. “We have a lot of kids who have started games for us in the past.”

Most football success at Oak Hill has been celebrated in Class C and defunct Class D. This could be a breakout year in the Class B division for the Raiders, who suit up a staggering 20 seniors.

Oak Hill again will alternate two quarterbacks out of its Wing-T. Josh Sirois, a senior, provides speed and experience. Junior Brett Turcotte has the calm demeanor every quarterback needs, according to coach Bruce Nicholas.

“If I could put them both together, we would have something,” Nicholas said. “We’re still going to do it this way, because they’re both so equal. I can’t distinguish between them. I go to bed at night thinking about it.”

Clyde Tibbetts fills the void left by Lobster Bowl captain Nick Brown at halfback. Tibbetts is a senior. So are fullbacks Drew Jannelle and Kamar Banton, wingbacks Matt Averill and Adam Hathorne and split ends Tim Blais, Tyler Wells and Ben Rines.

Caleb Fournier and Corey Stubbs – yes, both seniors – empower both lines at guard and defensive end.

“They’re all-conference type players,” said Nicholas. “They’re probably 20 pounds bigger than they were last year.”

PTC Class B will employ an unusual schedule this season. The league dropped from 12 to 11 teams, with Old Town moving into Class C and Camden Hills’ program still in a developmental stage.

Camden Hills will fill the void as an exhibition game for every team that played Old Town last season. That will mean seven regular-season games that count in the standings. As luck would have it, Leavitt and Oak Hill are two of the three teams that will play a full eight-game schedule.

“I’m happy with the way it worked out for us,” Hathaway said, “but it’s not a very good situation.”

Because the Crabtree point system factors a team’s winning percentage and its opponents’ winning percentage, the uneven numbers won’t affect the playoff picture.

“I don’t know what we could have done differently if we still want eight teams to make the playoffs,” Nicholas said. “It should be just a one-year situation.”