Coach: Ted Tibbetts (third year)

Class: Western C

Last year’s record: 2-6

Returning letter-winners: Seniors — Everett Bertrand (RB), Jake Simard (G/LB), Tanner Marston (C/LB), Austin Davis (RB/WR); Juniors — Nick Cote (RB), Adam Mocciola (QB/FS/P), Tony Benedict (T/DT).

Key losses: Tyler Sturtevant (FB/LB), Tony Whalen (QB/CB), Brandon Drottar (SE/DE), Isaac Stone (T/MLB), Sam Scales (C/DT), Nelson Goyette (G).

Promising newcomers: Sophomores — Patrick Jacques (QB), Cody Kalinka (G).

Season outlook: Poland was the team on the doorstep during its two years in the “old” Class C, going a combined 6-10 and essentially missing the postseason by virtue of one or two plays each year. With realignment, the Knights remain in the third class but are back playing against many of the tough opponents they encountered as a new program in the previous decade, including Wells, Mountain Valley and Cape Elizabeth, with Leavitt, Spruce Mountain and Yarmouth thrown into the mix. Tibbetts shrugs off questions about the changing competition, noting that Poland has been focused upon itself and fine-tuning the little mistakes that have kept the Knights from fulfilling their playoff potential. Mocciola and Jacques are jockeying for position at QB, while Bertrand and Cote hope to pick up the slack after Sturtevant’s graduation from the backfield. Simard made huge strides as a first-year player a year ago, and the 6-foot-3, 280-pound Kalinka could be a huge long-term boost to both lines. The opening-night game with old rival Lake Region may have a major say in Poland’s October and November aspirations.

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