Husson football program marks progress in second season

The Husson College football team made good progress in its second year of existence and the table has been set for more progress because the Eagles didn’t have a senior starter.

“We’re ecstatic,” said coach and athletic director Gabby Price, whose Eagles went 2-7 after an 0-7 first season. “We saw great improvement. We certainly have a ways to go. But we looked like a Division III college football team. There was a much more professional approach in practice and a lot more competition [for playing time]. The effort was phenomenal, no matter what the score was.”

Price started three juniors, 11 sophomores and eight freshmen.

Freshman Mike Prentiss of Bangor ran for 1,156 yards and 12 touchdowns behind a huge and productive offensive line that included sophomore tight end Matt Mulligan of West Enfield, 300-plus-pound sophomore tackles A.J. Buzzell of Bath and Louis Avent; guards Jason Cross of Hampden, a freshman, and sophomore Michael Closson of Boothbay Harbor and sophomore center Dave Brown.

Prentiss also caught a TD pass and ran back a kickoff for another. He amassed 1,747 all-purpose yards.

“Our offensive line was 10 times better than last year,” said junior free safety Adam Scott.

“We improved 110 percent,” added Avent. “By moving me and A.J Buzzell from the defensive line to the offensive line, it added a lot more size. Jason Cross came in here with a lot of size (280 pounds) as a freshman and Dave Brown (265) was a starter last year.”

Mulligan caught 14 passes for 291 yards and three TDs.

Berwick freshman split end James Dobson had a team-high 23 receptions for 281 yards and three TDs. The flankers were sophomores Kyle Poissonier (10-for-147) of Smithfield and Ryan Lockard (5-for-85) of Waterville..

South Paris freshman fullback Jason Jack helped open holes for Prentiss, ran for 159 yards and caught nine passes for 97 yards.

Quarterback David Chase of Sabattus completed 74 of 186 passes for 1,103 yards and nine TDs. He was intercepted 14 times.

The defense was spearheaded by sophomore linebacker Josh Nowlin of Skowhegan, who had a school-record 104 tackles including three sacks; Scott, who had nine interceptions and was in on 61 tackles after being moved from running back to free safety in the third game, and sophomore tackle Tyler Libbey of Mattawamkeag (621/2 tackles).

Brunswick sophomore Adam Premo (37 tackles) was the nose tackle with Hollis freshman Patrick McDonough (34 tackles, team-high four sacks) and Portland freshman Joe Melcher at the ends.

Besides Nowlin, sophomore Josh Lemieux (33 tackles) of Bailey Island and freshman Ross Salovitch (57 tackles) also played inside linebacker. The outside linebackers were Gardiner’s J.P. Folckemer (611/2 tackles), Poland Spring’s Tristan Starbird and Waterville’s Dylan Veilleux along with Shane Rogers.

Lisbon Falls freshman Jon Tefft and Pittsfield junior Chad Bennett (six interceptions) manned the corners.

Tefft averaged 33.9 yards a punt and Van Buren sophomore Tyler Hews was the placekicker.

The Eagles will have a 10-game schedule next fall and Price is continuing his quest to join a league.

“I’d like to have something established. I’d like to see some movement,” said Price, whose Eagles are one of four New England Division III independents. “We’d like to be able to develop some rivalries. If nobody lets us in, maybe we’ll form our own league and invite other people to join us.”

The players said they enjoy playing for Husson.

“It’s fun. I’m glad I came up here,” said Scott, who is from Haverhill, Mass. “There’s a great bunch of guys here.”

“This is probably the most fun I’ve ever had playing football,” said Avent, a native of New Haven, Conn.