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In 2004 senior Shawn McMann and his Lely teammates were cherishing the Trojans first successful season in a number of years.

He was a key offensive lineman who opened holes for running back Fafa Alce, helping the Trojans go 7-4 after a 1-10 season the year before.

Both received All-Star honors. Alce was named Lely’s Overall MVP, while McMann was the Offensive MVP.

Then coach Chris Metzger said, “Shawn’s efforts speaks volumes of how he helped our offense. He was a three-year starter and anchored our offensive line.”

Flying high, McMann chose Fitchburg State College, taking him back to the Boston area where he initially grew up before moving to Marco Island in 1999.

McMann stepped on the Fitchburg campus in the fall of 2005, expecting to play football and get a good education.

His first expectation, playing football, hasn’t come easy.

“I arrived there weighing between 190 and 200 pounds, knowing that I needed to be larger and stronger,” McMann said. “I thought my being an offensive MVP at Lely spoke to my abilities, but I learned quickly, even in Division III, everyone is an all-star. I was a boy of 18, facing men, some in their mid 20s. It was intimidating.”

McMann didn’t play much his first season as the team went 7-2, going to the New England Football Championship game, losing in double overtime to Curry College. Fitchburg then played in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Bowl, but lost.

“I think those two games, and having to rebuild, affected the next season,” he said. The team went 4-5, with McMann playing more, but still having a difficult time breaking into the lineup.

“At 6-3, 230 pounds, I still was one of the smaller linemen and not the strongest,” he said.

In his junior year a new coach took over. Paul McGonagle came from a successful program at Northeastern.

“With a new coach everyone starts out new,” McMann said. “We started a whole new offense. I did not get playing time, but it didn’t stop me from working the hardest in practice and showing that I would give 110 percent.”

McGonagle noticed.

“We have used him at right tackle and center,” McGonagle said. “He’s probably one of our smartest offensive linemen and works hard, doing what he is supposed to do. He is a ‘yes, sir,’ ‘no, sir,’ kind of guy, just an all-around great kid. I wish we had more like him.”

The team went 3-6, but McMann thinks Fitchburg had a good recruiting year in 2007.

“If they are as good as expected we could have a good season,” he said.

But what about McMann’s playing time?

“I worked hard in the off season and in spring ball I did well at tackle and center. I didn’t just go through the motions. I’d love to see us get back to the NEF Championship game and win the son-of-a-gun.”

An English literature major, McMann expects to continue his education.

“I’ve gotten a great education and think I’ll go for my master’s degree while I am still in the scholastic mode,” he said. “A good education will open doors.”

And if his football year doesn’t work out as hoped?

“I got my work ethic from coach Metzger and the coaching staff at Lely,” he said. “You don’t blame the coach, you just work harder.

“No matter what happens, all you can do is try your hardest every day. If you give all you have and don’t come out on top I can still look into the mirror, knowing I gave my best.”