RUMFORD – Earlier this season, Jim Aylward watched his young sophomore quarterback prepare for another night on the football field. With just a few varsity games under his belt, Cameron Kaubris was asked by the Mountain Valley coach about pre-game jitters.

“I can’t remember what team we were playing but I said, ‘Are you nervous?'” recalled Aylward. “He looked me in the face and said, ‘I never get nervous, Coach. Why would I get nervous? I love this stuff.'”

It was then Aylward knew that Kaubris wasn’t an average sophomore signal-caller. There was no panic in the pocket from this kid. With his hands behind the wheel of a potential state championship football team, Kaubris proved a steady driver.

“We’re really pleased with Cam,” said Aylward. “Early in the year, we tried to make things simple. Then the further along we got into the season, we realized that this is a very capable kid. He’s been well-prepared. He was brought up to be a high school athlete. Most sophomores would be a little gun-shy. Cam was ready from day one and that surprised us.”

Kaubris is the son of Rumford basketball star Matt Kaubris. His sister, Alexa, became one of Dirigo’s greatest athletes and is currently the captain of her Bowdoin College basketball team. His sports lineage was great.

So was Cameron’s recognition of the opportunity before him.

The coaching staff told Kaubris at the end of last season that he was expected to replace graduated Keith Brennick. Kaubris considered that conditional. He’d be the starting quarterback only if he earned it and proved himself.

“Right from there, I knew I had to work hard,” said Kaubris.

The Falcons intended to bring Kaubris along slowly. With a potent running game featuring Justin Staires and Matt Laubauskas, Kaubris wasn’t forced to shoulder responsibility. As Kaubris performed, however, Aylward saw that his new QB was up to the task.

“The kid has an air of confidence about him,” said Aylward. “It wasn’t very long into the year before we realized that we didn’t have to protect him like we would a normal sophomore quarterback. He’s fortunate that he plays on a team with a couple of talented running backs, but he’s a darn good quarterback.”

The Falcons have traditionally been a run-oriented team, one that will pound the ball down your throat rather than throw it over your head. Still, a key ingredient to their three regional titles in four years – and two state championships – has been the passing game. They’ve had quarterbacks that played smart and effectively. They’ve made big plays when needed.

“If we have to throw Saturday or whenever, we feel very confident in Cam,” said Aylward. “As a matter of fact, there’s some things he does as well as any quarterbacks we’ve had.”

Jumping from the junior varsity to a prime time role was a significant leap. Watching Brennick play a year ago was of great value. Brennick was a veteran of the Falcons’ system, and Kaubris knew he’d have to play a similar style.

“I think last year was a big help for me,” said Kaubris, who also credits the help and support he’s gotten from reserve quarterbacks Chris Day and Staires. “He knew every single play. He was an undersized quarterback. He knew how to get outside the pocket and throw on the run. I knew that’s what I was going to have to do this year. A lot of my throws this year have been outside the pocket and on the run. That was my biggest weakness last year. Watching him and learning from him was big.”

Aylward likes the competitive nature that Kaubris brings to his job. He hasn’t been awestruck by the veterans around him, yet he’s remained humble enough to understand his role and want to improve. If he struggles throwing certain patterns, he’ll work hard to make himself better. His competitiveness might get the best of him sometimes, but his level head and intelligence usually win out.

“His mental makeup is really what separates him from other sophomore quarterbacks,” said Aylward.

With his first championship game Saturday, Kaubris doesn’t feel the pressure. He knows his role and what needs doing. A year ago, he watched the Falcons playoff run and yearned to be part of it. Now he relishes this moment.

“Not many people get this opportunity,” said Kaubris. “I was ready to jump at it when I got the chance. Last year at this time, I wanted to play, but I knew I wasn’t ready. This year, I know I’m ready. I just have to go out there and do what I do all season. I can’t think too much. I can’t do too much. I can’t want to be the hero. I just have to play my role. As long as I do that, I think we’ll be okay.”