The Old Orchard Beach football team enters tonight’s regular-season finale with a 3-4 record, but a win over visiting Traip Academy would guarantee the Seagulls a spot in the Class E playoffs.
The Seagulls, who lost plenty of talent from last year’s team, have been able to work through an up-and-down campaign to put themselves in position to make the postseason.
One major reason for that is a team chemistry that the Seagulls say wasn’t around last season.
“We’re like brothers. We joke around with each other — maybe too much sometimes — but I mean it’s awesome,” said senior wide receiver Sean Pratt on the Seagulls’ bond this season.
Sophomore Jaden Davies echoed that sentiment.
“This year I feel like we have more team chemistry and we’re more of a family,” said Davies, who is another top wide receiver for OOB.
Senior Dale Lord may be in his first year as the Gulls’ starting quarterback, but he has certainly stepped up as a leader of this year’s squad.
“(There has been) a lot of growing … to bring these young guys up and get them some experience at the varsity level it’s really just a blessing to me honestly,” said Lord.
Lord credits the willingness of other OOB players to switch positions as a reason why the Seagulls have a chance to make the postseason.
“A lot of guys had to change positions to offensive line due to injuries and some people not participating. The guys did a good job of changing position like Matt Doody and Casey Kocian (moved) to the line,” Lord said.
Lord has also been blessed with some talent on the outside — led by Davies and Pratt.
“It’s great. I can throw it up to Sean and Jaden any time and they will go up and get it,” said Lord.
The Seagulls’ wide receivers certainly enjoy playing with a QB like Lord.
“He’s great, honestly. He just throws it up there and I just go get it. Jaden and I do that pretty well,” said Pratt.
“I trust him to make all the throws. I feel like if he throws it, I’m just going to go get it,” added Davies.
The Seagulls’ passing game has shown the ability to hurt teams, but it all starts on the ground with Lord and senior running back Rudy Mago leading the way.
“It’s great. We’ll switch off where sometimes I’ll get the ball and he’ll block or I’ll block (for him),” said Mago.
Mago knows that even with all the offensive firepower the Seagulls have it wouldn’t mean much if everyone on the team wasn’t rowing the same direction.
“It seems like a lot more teamwork this year and last year was a lot more selfishness. Without teamwork you can’t win. I’m really happy about that … I’m happy the team is coming together,” Mago said.
Pratt credits longtime OOB head coach Dean Plante with creating an atmosphere that helped the Seagulls come together and be successful.
“It’s awesome. He jokes around a lot. He’s just a great coach and you can go to him for anything — not even just football — it’s awesome,” said Pratt.
The Seagulls, who dropped down from Class D to Class E this year, are hoping his strong bond will help them pick up the win tonight and send them to the playoffs.
“It would mean a lot because we’ve worked so hard this season to make playoffs,” said Davies.
And the Seagulls know that once you make the playoffs anything can happen.
“Anytime you can get into the playoffs it’s a lot different. I’m excited … you can do anything in the playoffs,” said Pratt.
— Sports Editor Pat McDonald can be reached at pmcdonald@journaltribune.com or at 780-9017. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.

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