The 131st Gardiner-Cony game is Friday night, and each team will debut new quarterbacks.

Senior Mike Denham will direct the Gardiner offense after playing tight end on offense last season. He replaces Kyle Stilphen, who was a Fitzpatrick Trophy finalist.

Cony Sophomore Nick Lucas replaces Matt Rende, a one-year starter who graduated last spring. Lucas quarterbacked the freshmen team last fall.

Both quarterbacks saw action in controlled scrimmages Monday $ Cony played Mt. Blue and Gardiner split time with Calais and Mattanawcook $ but a tougher challenge awaits Friday night.

"You go from a scrimmage to playing Gardiner," Cony coach Robby Vachon said about his young quarterback.

His advice to Lucas?

"Hey, have fun with it," Vachon added.

Lucas completed 15 of 21 passes for 187 yards in the scrimmage against Mt. Blue.

"He proved himself," Vachon said.

Starting tailback Forrest Chadwick will back up Denham while sophomore Luke Duncklee will back up Lucas.

For more on the latest quarterbacks to play in the series, check out the Thursday edition of the Kennebec Journal.