Anyone who has watched Darren Hartley coach knows you don’t have to be a mind-reader to know what he’s thinking most of the time. He wears his heart on his sleeve, and it isn’t wrapped in a wrist band of political correctness, either.

You can hear it beating as Hartley agonizes over each and every play of an Edward Little football game, regardless of the score. But the fact that he remained silent for a few moments while his best lineman, Wade Colon, hobbled off the field late in the first half of last week’s 32-12 loss to Brunswick also spoke volumes for the level of frustration and helplessness Hartley is already feeling this season.

Colon returned for the second half, which went against the trend so far this year for EL. If football is a war of attrition, then the Eddies were already losing the war when they fell into formation. Six players, five of them projected starters, were injured in preseason and wearing shorts for the opener in Brunswick. 

Although the Eddies have 12 seniors on the roster, they experienced as much
turnover in their starting lineup as any team in the PTC. Hartley had hoped to hit the ground running with a revamped offense led
by QB Teven Colon, running backs Brandon Vye and Cory Spruill and
veteran linemen Wade Colon, Jake Goulette and Dylan Gagnon, but with
all but Vye and Wade Colon standing on the sidelines last Friday, the offense
looked out of sorts.  

“We made some adjustments through the preseason and in the summer and
thought we had a good package,” he said. “And I still think it’s OK.
But, we’re going to be making some more adjustments.”

EL had to wade through its share of frustration and uncertainty last year, too. But, there was far less of a forlorn atmosphere surrounding the team because many of the players had been through adversity together before.

Eventually, the Red Eddies worked through it and got on the same page for the second half of the season. Then their superb talent emerged and sent them to the Pine Tree Conference championship game, where they fell to Skowhegan in a November monsoon.

It was one of the biggest turnarounds in Maine high school football last year, but it didn’t happen overnight.

“Last year’s situation was two years in the making,” Hartley said.

It’s a good reminder, but it isn’t going to help the Eddies when they travel to Fairfield to face Lawrence on Friday night. What will help is if at least a couple of the walking wounded return to action, as expected. Hartley hopes a simplified game plan will have them better prepared, too.

“It will be a little bit more old fashioned,” Hartley said. “You can let the boys up there in Fairfield know, I only know one way to get better and that’s to be a little bit more physical and be a little bit more north and south. So that’s what I intend to do for the the next couple of weeks.”

For this week, at least, Hartley will probably have to settle for some small victories, such as leaving Fairfield with as many healthy bodies as brought in.

Lewiston (1-0) at Brewer (0-1)

Friday, 7 p.m.

As if they don’t have enough ways to score, the Blue Devils’ defensive linemen are getting in on the act.

Edward Little (0-1) at Lawrence (1-0)

Friday, 7 p.m.

The last thing a bruised and battered team needs, a night at Keyes Field.

Mt. Blue (0-1) at Oxford Hills (0-1)

Friday, 7 p.m.

Both programs have been infused with a lot of young talent, but this game will probably come down to seniors Ryan Backus, Nate Dubois and Jake Hall.

Gray-New Gloucester (1-0) at Mountain Valley (1-0)

Friday, 7 p.m.

Anyone who’s seen “The Rivals” knows this match-up has nowhere to go but up.

Madison (0-1) at Livermore Falls (1-0)

Friday, 7 p.m.

Rejuvenated Bulldogs took defending Western C champion Winthrop to double overtime last week, while the Andies looked like Winthrop’s heir apparent against Boothbay.

Maranacook (1-0) at Jay (1-0)

Friday, 7 p.m.

Jordan rules. DeMillo and Couture get the Tigers’ ground game rolling.

Dirigo (1-0) at Winthrop (1-0)

Friday, 7 p.m.

Cougars impressed by putting up 74 points against Freeport. The Ramblers, eager to show they still have an elite defense, await.

Oak Hill (0-1) at Yarmouth (0-1)

Friday, 7 p.m.

Yarmouth may not have the pedigree of Lisbon, but the Raiders still can’t afford to make the same mistakes they made against the Greyhounds last week.

Poland (0-1) at Greely (0-1)

Friday, 7 p.m.

Both teams got shut out in their openers but played respectable defense.

Leavitt (1-0) at Camden Hills (0-1)

Saturday, 1 p.m.

Think the Hornets are looking at this as a nice break after yet another war of attrition against Hampden Academy? Think again.

Old Orchard Beach (1-0) at Lisbon (1-0)

Saturday, 1:30 p.m.

Crucial early-season meeting of the two South Division favorites.

Sun Journal Top 10

1. Bonny Eagle (1-0)

Scots QB Ryan Nason (1 TD pass, 1 TD run, 1 punt return TD last week) picking up where 2008 Fitzy winner Nate Doehler left off.

2. Deering (1-0)

Rams savored 14-0 triumph over rival Portland over Labor Day holiday. They’ll have another chance to do the same thing over Thanksgiving holiday.

3. Lawrence (1-0)

Bulldogs scored five TDs in 13 offensive plays in first half of 61-20 trouncing of Brewer.

4. Lewiston (1-0)

Does the long trip to Brewer make it easier or harder to look past the Witches and ahead to Skowhegan?

5. Bangor (1-0)

The rebuilding has ended. The Rams are back

6. Cheverus (1-0)

Stags host Windham in SMAA’s game of the week.

7. Mountain Valley (1-0)

It really isn’t as easy as the Falcons make it look.

8. Windham (1-0)

Eagles QB Jackson Taylor (19-for-22, 227 yards, 3 TDs passing, one rushing TD)

9. Leavitt (1-0)

Hornets have long bus rides to Camden Hills and Belfast next two weeks. 

10. Thornton Academy (1-0)

Golden Trojans put up 35 points in first quarter of 63-7 clubbing of Kennebunk.

Player of the week:

 Chandler White, senior RB, Livermore Falls

White rushed for 164 yards and five touchdowns on 18 carries and also recovered a fumble on defense in the Andies’ 46-26 triumph over Boothbay.