Husson’s football progress impresses Utica coach

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Two games into the season, it’s still too early to get a definitive read on the Husson College football team, but if Saturday’s 21-7 victory over Utica College is a good indication, the Eagles have landed.

Three years ago, varsity football returned to Husson and the team went winless in seven games. In 2004, they notched their first win and another to finish 2-7. Last year, Husson made another slight improvement and went 3-4.

One constant, besides the winless records, in all three of those seasons was a game against Utica on the schedule. Another was the presence of head coach Michael Kemp on Utica’s sideline.

“They’ve come a long, long way in a short period of time and I want to congratulate coach [Gabby] Price and the job he and his staff have done,” Kemp said. “We’re doing the same thing they’re doing – building a program from the ground up – and obviously they’re taking a giant step forward.”

Kemp’s program has a two-year head start on Husson’s, but after watching the Eagles exhibit patience, maturity, and a knack for capitalizing on opportunities in a tight, defense-dominated game, he says that advantage no longer applies.

“We told our players going into this game, as this is our fourth time playing them, that this is the one team on our schedule that’s improved significantly each year and you can’t take them lightly,” Kemp said.

This was Husson’s first win over Utica, which beat the Eagles 36-0 in 2003, 46-24 in 2004, and 23-6 last year.

“Our program is two years older than theirs, but that doesn’t matter at this point because they have caught up with everybody else,” Kemp said. “Even with their tough schedule, I expect them to have a good year.”

The 1-1 Eagles have eight games – five on the road – left on their schedule.

So why the noticeable improvement so early this season?

John Tefft, Husson’s junior cornerback, says it has to do with mental development.

“The difference between then and now is discipline,” says Tefft, who was a study in discipline as he almost totally shut down the Utica receivers he matched up against. “We’re a lot more disciplined team playing assignment football and when we play assignment football, we can’t be beat.”

Bowdoin adds football coaches

Bowdoin College football coach Dave Caputi has announced the addition of two assistant coaches.

Trevor Powers of Wells, a 2006 Bowdoin graduate, and 2005 Johns Hopkins grad Steve Shukie, have joined the staff.

Powers, a Cheverus High School product, played baseball and football at Bowdoin and finished as the school’s winningest pitcher with 21 career victories. He will work with the defense.

Shukie, who served as an assistant at Johns Hopkins and Kings College, will coach the running backs.

MMA point guard departs

Caitlin Grant of South Thomaston, a point guard for the Maine Maritime Academy women’s basketball team the last two seasons, has left the program.

Grant, who would have been a junior this winter, has accompanied her boyfriend, who graduated from MMA last spring, to his native Pennsylvania.

MMA coach Craig Dagan said Grant also may be planning to pursue a nursing degree.

Grant started 18 of 29 games for the Mariners last season, averaging 3.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.2 steals in 22.6 minutes per contest.

Southern Maine names captains

Caterina Riitano of Sangerville and Hampden’s Alyson Lumino are among three captains for the University of Southern Maine field hockey team.

They will be joined by Samantha Johnson.

Riitano, a former Piscataquis Community High standout, anchors the Huskies’ defense while Lumino is a defensive midfielder.

Thomas volleyball set with Orser

Calais native Heather Orser has become Thomas College’s new volleyball coach. The Waterville resident and Thomas alumna works in the admissions office at Thomas and was a three-sport athlete for the Terriers.

Thomas’ volleyball team starts play Sunday at noon, when it hosts the University of Southern Maine and the University of Maine-Presque Isle.