ROCKPORT — The 2019 football season is about to kick off and the Camden Hills Windjammer football program is in the midst of completing their two-a-day practice regimen.

Third year head coach Jeremy Marks does not hide his excitement for the coming season.

“Camden Hills Football is growing and looking forward to what should be a competitive and thrilling year,” said Marks, as he considered just a few of the players for whom fans should keep an eye out to be major contributors. “We have senior Braden Moulton anchoring both lines and another senior, linebacker Brady Hedstrom, ready to top off their careers with strong seasons. Additionally, two-time captain Aedan Kehoe is an outstanding leader on both sides of the ball and can back it up with his play.”

Coach Marks also noted his anticipation of six-foot-three sophomore Ryan Clifford at quarterback, Ben Craft, a speedy junior, and Hunter Norton, a burly sophomore tutored by four graduating seniors in 2018, at running back. 

At the conclusion of last year, Camden Hills decided to play 11-man football following consideration of going to the eight-man format.

Given the landscape of teams in Class B North and the desire to grow the program, Camden Hills made the decision to forfeit playoff eligibility and play in a lower classification this year. In Maine, teams playing at a lower classification than assigned by the Maine Principals Association, the state’s athletic governing body, are not eligible for the playoffs. 

“It is unfortunate that making a decision which is in the best interest of the program and the athletes means that we will not have a playoff game regardless of how well we do,” said Marks, “...but I know we will prepare and play every game as if we were on the road to the playoffs, we will grind and show our grit.”

Camden Hills will have two Friday night games this season, Sept. 13 and Oct. 11, with the latter the school’s homecoming game.

“We thought it would be great to add another night game on the Don Palmer Field on Indigenous People’s Day weekend as we have done for many years, said Marks, who added the tradition of allowing the Five Town Football teams to host home games at the high school on the Saturday following the mid-October contest will continue. 

“It’s important to this program that we maintain that tradition not to mention the fun that is had at those youth games”.

This Friday, August 30th, the ‘Jammers invite everyone to Don Palmer Field for a 3 p.m. exhibition scrimmage versus Oceanside.

The Oceanside contest will mark the ‘Jammers one opportunity in 2019 to oppose a team higher than Class C and should provide Coach Marks with a good measuring stick of where the team goes from here on the field.

“Come on out and see our players wear our Jammer Red with Jammer Pride,” exclaimed Marks. 

Admission to the Oceanside scrimmage is free.

Reach the sports department at: sports@penbaypilot.com.