BANGOR – Jason Jack’s football career nearly got sacked several years ago.

During his junior year at Oxford Hills High School in South Paris, Jack found himself getting into trouble at school, as some teen-agers are prone to do.

The result was suspension from school and, subsequently, ineligibility for football.

Even as the Vikings drove toward an appearance in the Class A state championship game, coach Ted Moccia took the time to counsel Jack, who bounced back and had a strong senior season as a tight end.

“I was an idiot, a punk, I guess,” Jack said, the maturity evident in his voice. “[Coach Moccia] just made me realize what I was doing and where I was going.”

Six years later, Jack is putting the finishing touches on a successful football career, and a degree in business administration, at Husson College.

The 6-foot, 235-pounder has been a three-year starter at fullback for coach Gabby Price’s Eagles, who take a 1-2 record into Saturday’s 1 p.m. home exhibition game against SUNY Maritime College.

Jack has built a reputation for consistency and dependability while serving as a two-year co-captain at Husson.

“He’s unselfish, resilient, tough; a team player,” Price said. “When peers respect other peers the amount his teammates respect him, that says it all.”

Jack actually thought his football career had ended when he enrolled at Husson in 2001. At that time, the school didn’t have a football program.

The next fall, he was among the 35 players who helped form the foundation of the Husson football program. He and the Eagles have worked hard to build the team into a competitive entity as a Division III independent.

“Obviously it’s frustrating, but you’ve just got to keep working,” Jack said of Husson’s gradual improvement during its three seasons of competition. “We just kept plugging along and now I think we’re at the point where we can win some games. I think everyone believes it, which helps.”

Jack’s commitment to the program has been evident. Price said he hasn’t missed a practice in three years and has played in every game.

“He represents all the good things that denote toughness,” Price said.

Jack plays a key but unsung role in Husson’s offense as its fullback. He has a reputation as a punishing blocker who can handle all aspects of the job.

“For what we ask in the I-formation – someone to block, run a few plays and catch passes – I don’t think there’s anybody better,” Price said.

A fullback’s effectiveness can’t be measured in his own statistics. This season, Jack has carried eight times for 13 yards with a touchdown and caught two passes for 14 yards.

However, Husson tailbacks Julius Williams, Darius Charlton and Ryan Leon have combined to rush for 192 yards per game and 6.1 yards per carry.

“When this is all said and done, what you want is someone who’s a team player; who does things for other people; makes players around him play better; is unselfish,” Price said.

Jack senses a greater commitment among the players coming to Husson for football these days. He is proud to be part of the program.

“I can say I was on the first team at Husson,” Jack said. “It’s been kind of hard because we’re not a winning team right now, but this year is by far the most competitive season we’ve had so far. I think we’re going to wind up all right this year.”

Jack will graduate in December and plans to look for work in southern Maine. He expects his football experiences will help him.

“In the workplace nowadays, they look at how you do as part of a team,” he said.