RUMFORD – Three divisions sort out the extensive, enticing world of NCAA football. Ryan Laubauskas earned invitations to continue his academic and gridiron careers at each level.

Turns out the best balance was right in the middle.

Laubauskas will leave home Tuesday to begin the next chapter of his life at Division II Saint Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Ind.

“I’m wicked excited right now,” Laubauskas said. “Coming out of the Lobster Bowl really got me fired up to play football again and prepared me for it.”

The Mountain Valley High School graduate suited for the West squad that lost a close contest to the East, 40-35, in the annual senior all-star game at Biddeford’s Waterhouse Field last Saturday.

He has spent the last week saying goodbye for now to the close-knit community that watched him excel in three sports.

A four-year, two-way starter in football, 6-foot-1, 270-pound Laubauskas was part of state championship teams his freshman and junior seasons.

As an offensive guard, Laubauskas spent the first three years blocking for his brother, Matt, and cousin, Justin Staires, who grew into one of the most prolific backfield tandems in recent Maine high school football history.

Staires was one of three finalists for the Fitzpatrick Trophy, symbolic of the state’s outstanding senior football player, in 2008.

Mountain Valley went 42-5 — an .894 winning percentage — during Laubauskas’ career.

“We had a great coaching staff and great players,” Laubauskas said. “I knew I was above average coming in, but I never thought I’d get a chance to start right away. (Former offensive lineman) Kyle Dow taught me a lot freshman year. There’s no way I would have been ready to start then if it weren’t for him.”

Saint Joseph’s was one of the final schools to throw its helmet and shoulder pads into the ring and seek Laubauskas’ services.

For most of his junior and senior seasons, Laubauskas planned to attend Division I Sacred Heart in Fairfield, Conn. He was accepted during the November early decision period.

Division III Westfield State in Massachusetts was a second choice. Saint Joseph’s made its first overtures in March.

“I actually had no idea I would end up going there. I got a call from the coach telling me that I was on their list for recruiting,” Laubauskas said. “I didn’t even go visit. What ended up being the most important factor was the financial aid package they offered me. We’re only going to have to pay about $5,000 a year.”

Saint Joseph’s is coached by A.J. Ricker, who joined the staff as offensive line coach in 2009 and was just promoted to the head position in February.

He has projected Laubauskas as an offensive guard.

“That’s what I wanted to do,“ Laubauskas said. “That’s all I did in high school. Pulling and laying kids out. Hit ’em and roll over ’em. I love it.”

The Pumas haven’t enjoyed a winning season since 2006, but they posted five victories each of the last two autumns. Last season, Saint Joseph’s was a perfect 4-0 in conference play.

Laubauskas will arrive three days before the start of camp, giving himself a first opportunity to look around.

While he hasn’t yet toured the school, Laubauskas said that his high school Spanish teacher, Victoria Ojeda, attended Saint Joseph’s for three years and shared her experiences there.

Nobody was a closer confidant in the recruiting process than Laubauskas’ father, Bob, who also has coached him throughout the youth football ranks.

“Without my dad, I really wouldn’t be where I am today,” Laubauskas said. “He’s had a huge impact on me not only on the field but off. He pushed me to become a great football player.”

Three-a-day workouts will begin August 6.

Laubauskas already endured a similarly rigorous week at Lobster Bowl training camp. He also has followed Saint Joseph’s summer training program in his private workouts.

Mountain Valley’s rich athletic tradition wasn’t lost on the schools recruiting Laubauskas.

His brother and cousin will play baseball at Central Maine Community College this fall. In addition to his all-state exploits in the fall, Laubauskas was the Falcons’ cleanup hitter in baseball and part of an undefeated conference championship team in basketball.

“The coaching staff is great. They called me about every other day, just to talk and to find out how basketball and baseball were going,” Laubauskas said. “It’s going to be different not playing all three sports.

“But football has always been my passion.”

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