The record speaks for itself.

The Husson College football program continues to progress after the Eagles posted a 6-3 mark in their sixth season as a varsity sport.

That represents their best season, record-wise.

The Eagles, 0-7 in their first season, posted their first winning record a year ago at 6-4.

“This was the best team we’ve had if you take all three phases [offense, defense, special teams] into consideration,” said head coach and athletic director Gabby Price. “We did some great things. We made great strides on offense and played excellent defense. Our kicking game really improved.”

The Eagles averaged 33.7 points and 403 yards per game while limiting teams to 20.7 points and 249.8 yards per game.

Price doesn’t feel his team exceeded expectations because they set their goals high.

But they certainly lived up to them.

“We felt we had a very good football team coming back,” said the 58-year-old Price. “I wish we had an opportunity to play a 10th game and get a seventh win.”

Husson had originally scheduled Division I-AA LaSalle University (Pa.), a team the Eagles upset 17-7 a year ago, but the game fell through when LaSalle ran into a scheduling conflict.

Price noted that to qualify for an ECAC or NCAA post-season tournament berth, a team usually needs to win at least seven games.

He will graduate 16 seniors who “never missed a workout or a practice. Their commitment was superb.”

The former Bangor High School coach received an exceptional season from his well-seasoned offensive line, which featured four seniors: center Matt Benson, guards Jason Cross and David Brown and tackle Louis Avent.

They paved the way to 249.6 rushing yards per game.

Tackle Jon Benson, Matt’s brother; tight ends P.J. Dowe (6 catches-82 yards, 1 touchdown), Nate Paradis and Matt Gamache will return up front.

Senior quarterback Jonah Chappell (93-for-203, 1298 yards, 8 TDs; 145 rushing yards on 40 carries, 3 TDs) had a “very good year” according to Price. The other senior starter was fullback Shawn McCurdy (12 rushes, 96 yards, 1 TD, 2 catches for 21 yards), who was considered “underrated” by Price.

Husson will return tailbacks Bryan Ferguson (team-high 735 yards on 160 carries, 7 TDs), Julius Williams (713 on 136 carries, team-high 10 TDs) and Justin Lindie (324 on 37 carries, 6 TDs) along with wide receivers Victor McKenzie (26 catches-447 yards, 3 TDs) and Andre Wildman (24-for376, 2 TDs).

Receivers Kyle Poissionner (15-for-189, 1 TD) and Jeremy Shorey (12-for-138, 3 TDs) will graduate.

Back-ups Mike Austin, a center-guard; Ben Emmott, a guard-tackle, and Ryan Esmail, a tackle, could elevate themselves into starting roles next fall.

Ryan McCarthy and Alex Williams, who were both freshmen, will vie for the quarterback job along with a newcomer or two.

Nehemiah Barnet (12 rushes 37 yards) could replace McCurdy at fullback.

Price and his coaching staff will return eight starters on defense although they will graduate three players who had superb careers in inside linebacker Ross Salovitch, who had a team-high 561/2 tackles including 51/2 sacks and 151/2 tackles for loss; tackle Joe Melcher (331/2 tackles, 101/2 for loss) and outside backer Shane Rogers (311/2 tackles, 91/2 for loss, 4 sacks).

Husson limited teams to 105.2 rushing yards per game.

The entire secondary returns in Rameal Barton (451/2 tackles, 4 interceptions, 10 pass break-ups), Doug Blades (371/2 tackles, 5 interceptions, 9 break-ups), Keith Runne (26 tackles, 51/2 for loss, 2 interceptions) and Darius Charlton (21 tackles). Back-ups Marcus Dixon (101/2 tackles), Darius Bryant (61/2 tackles) and Pat Tweedie will battle for jobs in the secondary.

Outside backer Bobby Gilbert (381/2 tackles, 14 for losses) and inside backer Cory Smith (141/2 tackles) will also return as will defensive linemen Brandon Harris (231/2 tackles, 8 for losses, 51/2 sacks) and Dominic Torch (121/2 tackles, 41/2 for loss, 3 sacks).

Back-up outside linebackers Ben Caldwell and Som Ratsakongsy, who each had nine tackles, will also return as will inside backer Tom Hazelhurt (151/2 tackles).

Placekicker Darren Gauthier (3-6 field goals, 29-for-35 extra points) will return as will punters Dan Nehring (23 punts-32.8-yard average) and Lindie (12-for-32.7).

Husson will be an independent for one more year before the North Atlantic Conference begins play in 2009.

Price said he has nine games already lined up for next season and he’s hoping to land one more.

Price said recruiting is “going well” as the Eagles will try to earn their first post-season berth next year.