PORTLAND – The 31st annual Campbell Conference Football Banquet was recently held at the Italian Heritage Center in Portland. The Campbell Conference takes great pride in a rich tradition of honoring outstanding football student-athletes. The banquet consisted of over 400 people comprised of players, coaches, athletic administrators, parents and other family members. The coaches within the Campbell Conference vote on the all-star student athletes.
Spruce Mountain High School had four student-athletes who were honored:
Matt Vigue – son of Crystal and James Vigue. Matt is a senior. Matt is a running-back. and a free-safety. He plans to attend The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to study Health Care Management and pursue a career in optometry.
Peter Theriault – son of Christine Mercier and Peter Theriault. Peter is a senior. Peter is a quarterback and also free-safety. He plans to study law enforcement and is undecided which college he plans to attend.
James Ouellette – son of Rachel Ouellette and Jim Ouellette. James is in the junior class. James is a tight-end and linebacker.
Deonte Ring – son of Shiloh & Ross LaFreniere. Deonte is a senior. He is a wide receiver and corner back. Deonte plans to attend the University of New England studying pharmaceuticals.
The coaches also vote for one coach of the year and one assistant coach of the year within each class. This year Spruce Mtn. High School is very pleased to announce that Walter Polky was named as Class C Coach of the year and Mike Lance was named as the Assistant Coach of the year.
Polky has been the coach of Spruce Mtn. High School for three years. He had the daunting task of working through the consolidation of two of the biggest rival schools in the state and helped with that consolidation through his passion for the sport and his work with the students of both schools. Not only does he have a passion for the game but also for his relationship with his players and their relationship with one another.
This was Lance’s first year as assistant coach at Spruce Mtn. High School. He has coached for 25 years at Gray/New Gloucester, Leavitt and Lewiston. He has coached the Maine Lobster Bowl three different times. Lance’s impact came during the summer when Mike worked with the team conditioning and weight training. His knowledge and rapport with his players helped to build a team spirit with coaches and players. He is both the offensive and defensive line coach at SMHS. He is described as a leader both on and off the field and earns the respect of his fellow coaches. He has an infectious energy, great leader, a mentor and the ultimate professional.
ongratulations to these Spruce Mountain football players and coaches.Very proud of all you.