Maine news, sports, weather | Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Maine

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Strength of the team

Offensive line leading way for Cony, Duncklee

By Bill Stewart bstewart@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

AUGUSTA -- The right tackle crashes into the tackling dummy and drives it a few feet with the force and precision that's enough to make a coach smile.

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LEADING THE WAY: Cony football players Keenan Tilsley, left, Steven Morse, center, and Levi Mason are the leaders of the offensive line. They are joined by Ben Ellis, Phil Obert and Corey Lapierre.

Joe Phelan

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GETTING IT DONE: Cony linemen Ben Ellis, left, and Steven Morse run through drills during practice Wednesday in Augusta.

Joe Phelan

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The left tackle follows, and the dummy absorbs another blow.

One by one, members of a rebuilt and re-energized Cony High School offensive line take turns pummeling the cushioned blocker.

"This is when we win football games," hollers coach Robby Vachon, "in the fourth quarter. Keep hitting."

And the group -- center Ben Ellis, right tackle Levi Mason, left guard Steven Morse, left tackle Keenan Tilsley, right guard Phil Obert and tight end Corey Lapierre -- do just that.

They hit and hit some more before the whistle blows, bringing a merciful end to the Tuesday afternoon drill.

"This is the best line we've had as a unit since I've been here as a head coach," said Vachon, who is in his fourth season. "This is as good a unit as we've had in a long time. We had some offensive lines in the early 2000's and late 1990's, but this group here is something else."

Cony (1-0), which plays at Messalonskee (0-1) in a pivotal Pine Tree Conference Class A game at 7 Friday night, has struggled up front in recent seasons. Although formidable at the skill positions, an undersized line failed to hold up against the heavyweights in the conference, leading to brief cameos in the postseason or no playoffs altogether.

Now, Vachon says, what was once a weakness is now a strength of the playoff-hungry Rams.

"These guys as far as their size, knowing what they are doing, being able to both run block and pass block is as good as we've had here," he said. "We finally have some size up front."

Morse -- an Erskine transfer -- is the smallest lineman, and he's listed at 5-foot-10, 220 pounds.

Morse and Mason, who transferred from Messalonskee, helped solidify a line that had to replace all-conference guard TJ Vallee, who graduated.

Mason, listed at 6-2 and 245 pounds, said he is eager to play his former teammates Friday.

"I'm extremely looking forward to it," said Mason, a senior. "They have some hard feelings over there. It'll be an intense game."

Added Ellis, a 6-3, 230-pound senior: "Having Steven and Levi has been a big help. We're doing a lot better blocking up front."

Obert, a 5-11, 225-pound junior, replaced Vallee at guard and plays linebacker on defense. He's established himself as one of the team's more physical players.

"We needed someone to play guard, and he's done that," Vachon said. "TJ is not an easy guy to replace."

Vachon added that Lapierre, a tight end, has developed into a more reliable blocker.

"Our offensive line has been a weakness," said Lapierre, a senior. "But not this year. We know what to do."

And that is primarily to block for quarterback Luke Duncklee, who is a threat to run and throw. Duncklee rushed for four touchdowns and passed for another in a 48-12 win over Mt. Ararat in the season opener last weekend. He rushed for 191 yards and passed for 71.

"Basically, we play under Duncklee's shadow, but that's all right," said Tilsley, who is listed at 5-11, 265 pounds.

Added Obert: "But if we don't block for him, he couldn't do what he does."

Duncklee agreed.

"They have put it all together," he said. "Steven and Levi are big additions and we have a lot of veterans on the line now. Our talent has increased tremendously because of them. In past years we didn't always have that. They are doing a great job pass blocking and run blocking. I'm less worried about evading a rush when I throw, and when I run I know I can hit the holes they give. They are a real strength this year."

Bill Stewart -- 623-3811, ext. 515

bstewart@centralmaine.com