For the third time in three years, the Thornton Academy football team fielded a new starting quarterback, along with new receivers in Week 1 of the regular season.

Former starting quarterback and reigning Fitzpatrick Award winner Mike Laverriere graduated and moved on to the University of Maine. TA lost another top player to graduation as former standout wide receiver Johnny Rosario, who was the Trojans’ top option last season, is now a receiver at Bridgton Academy.

TA would then look to some of the returning players it had on the roster to fill the void, and decided to roll with sophomore Will Mitchell at quarterback, junior Anthony Bracamonte at receiver, and to convert former running back and junior CJ LaBreck to wide receiver.

Although the Trojans fielded a new-look offense to begin the season, TA hasn’t missed a beat as it put up a combined 87 points in the first two weeks. The trio also have combined for seven touchdowns.

“I’ve never had a connection with a quarterback like this before. Will always knows what I’m going to do, what CJ is going to do. You can feel that connection,” said Bracamonte, who has felt that Mitchell’s transition to the starting quarterback has been a smooth one.

Mitchell agrees, and credits the lessons he learned from Laverriere last year as his understudy.

“It’s been pretty good because last year I had a great leader in Mike. I was practicing with him every day, I’ve got (CJ and Anthony), my offensive line has been great. We work together every day and they’ve been helping me out,” Mitchell said.

Familiarity has also been key in the offense’s development, according to Mitchell.

“It’s great — I’ve been playing with Anthony since the third grade and CJ since last year … we’ve become great friends and it’s been great to play with them.”

LaBreck has also impressed in his new role as a wideout, and had a breakout game in Week 2 against Deering where he hauled in three touchdown passes and returned a kickoff for a score.

“Well from the transition from running back to wide receiver, its different a little bit so catching a ball instead of taking handoffs is a little bit different,” said LaBreck. “But we all have a great connection and we know exactly what we’re going to do. We have that bond.”

With the uptick in usage and becoming a focal point of the team, the three have also felt a greater responsibility. They feel that they must step up as leaders both on the field and in the locker room.

“I definitely feel that me, Anthony and Will are being held accountable by the team. We have that big role but we also play as a team so everyone has that big role as a community,” said LaBreck.

With a solid defense, a veteran offensive line, and now an explosive offensive backfield, the sky is the limit for the Trojans. TA hopes to continue to grow as a unit, which may be enough to bring a Gold Ball home to Saco.

“I think if we can continue to improve and get better each day then we can win a state championship,” said Bracamonte. “That’s what our goal is.”

The Trojans will have a tough test this week as they travel to take on Scarborough, who eliminated them from the playoffs less than a year ago. Both teams are explosive, and TA expects to see a competitive matchup.

“I think skill-wise we’re all set. They have some skill guys, we have some skill guys,” said Bracamonte. “I think we just need to go out there and make some plays and keep it close.”

— Associate Sports Editor Alex Sponseller can be reached at asponseller@journaltribune.com or at 282-1535 ext. 323. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.

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