There are two types of leaders on every football team — the quiet, lead-by-example player and a guy that has the personality to pump his teammates up when they need it most.

The Biddeford Tigers have the best of both worlds in senior fullback/linebacker Cam Lantagne.

“He absolutely loves football. You know you can tell everyday what he brings to practice is just infectious,” said Biddeford head coach Brian Curit of Lantagne.

Curit has plenty of leadership on his team, but Lantagne is the guy that really keeps this group of Tigers moving in the right direction.

“I think every team has a certain personality, and our other three captains are somewhat stoic, you know what I mean, they go about their business, they work hard and are leaders that way. Cam is the one guy that really gets people going,” said Curit. “I think it’s nothing fake, he just loves football. Every time he touches the ball, he goes 30, 40 yards up field and he’s cracking jokes all along the way. He’s a joy to coach, quite frankly.”

Lantagne has enjoyed his time as a Biddeford captain — a title he takes very seriously.

“It means a lot,” said Lantagne, who has made sure to keep the Tigers focused heading into this week’s showdown with Kennebunk. “When we have a bad practice you’ve got to get everybody else going and make sure we turn it around. Playing a team like Kennebunk you can’t have bad practices … you need to be perfect.”

Lantagne’s leadership came in handy after the Tigers dropped back-to-back games earlier this season and found themselves at 2-2 and at a true crossroads.

“I think our kids understand that it’s a process,” said Curit of his team having ups-and-downs this season. “I mean we are young and we are playing better up front now and the season is a long season. Teams don’t stay the same, they either get better or worse every day and I think that this team has gotten better.”

While Lantagne’s leadership has been key this season, he also handles the always important fullback spot in the Tigers’ offense.

“It’s a lot of expectations out of you … during practice (you’re expected) to run 40 yards after every hand-off, run tough and don’t get tackled by one person,” said Lantagne.

Curit has been impressed with Lantagne’s performance this season.

“He’s the prototypical Biddeford fullback,” said Curit. “He’s physical when he runs. He gets the tough yardage, and he’s much faster than people think. He’s a very, very good football player.”

The Tigers have already locked up a spot in the Class B South playoffs, but they would love to get a win against rival Kennebunk, which made a trip to the state finals last year.

“Kennebunk has lost, if I can do my math, they’ve lost two games in two years. I have great respect for their kids and I have great respect for their coaching staff and I expect them to be ready,” said Curit. “At the same time, we’ll be ready too. They were the preseason pick to win the whole shootin’ match, so it’s a great challenge for us. The nice thing is there’s a tomorrow, so we’ll get a chance to go out there (tonight) and really see what happens.”

“They have a lot of starters returning from last year, so we know that they’re pretty good, and they play really well and they’re coached really well,” added Lantagne.

While Lantagne knows he will have at least one more game after tonight’s clash with Kennebunk, he also understands his high school playing days are almost over.

“(This year has) gone pretty well, 5-2 is a pretty good season, but it’s kind of scary waiting for that last day to come along where there’s no more football and you don’t know what to do with yourself,” said Lantagne, who is focused on getting the Tigers prepared for tonight and hopefully a long playoff run. “We’ve just got to keep reminding ourselves that there’s only so many days left, and we have to give it 100 percent every play because you don’t know when your last play is … I just want to go as far as we can make it — and I think we can go pretty far.”

No matter when this season comes to an end, Lantagne will always cherish his time as a Biddeford Tiger — and he knows he has added a ton of people to his extended family.

“We’re like a huge brotherhood here … past players, future players, current players, we are all just like brothers,” Lantagne said.

— Sports Editor Pat McDonald can be reached at [email protected] or at 282-1535 ext. 322. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.