Maine Maritime Academy football coach Calvin Powell is getting his team ready for their first varsity game since 2019. The Mariners, who had their program suspended in 2020 due to the pandemic, will face Hartwick College on Sept. 7. Powell, who joined the school in 2023, has been working hard to rebuild the program, recruiting 45 players, including six Lobster Bowl participants. The team will have a five-game schedule this fall, with three varsity games and two sub-varsity games. The varsity games will be against Hartwick, Nichols College, and the Newport News Apprentice School. The Mariners will officially join the Conference of New England in 2025.
One player with a personal connection to the program is linebacker Jack Mottola, whose grandfather was a former head coach and athletic director at Maine Maritime Academy. Mottola transferred from a Division I program to play for the Mariners when he heard the football program was starting up again. The team is eager to see where their strengths lie and continue rebuilding the program’s storied history.
The return of football at Maine Maritime Academy is a significant milestone for the school and the community. With the dedication of Coach Powell and the team, there is a sense of optimism as they prepare for their upcoming season. The players are motivated to honor the legacy of the program and make their mark on the field. Maine Maritime Academy football is back, and they are ready to bring the excitement of the game back to Castine.
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