BANGOR, Maine — The Husson University football team enjoyed the sweet taste of success in 2014.
Coach Gabby Price’s Eagles went 8-2, won the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference championship and earned a spot in the NCAA Division III playoffs.
The season ended with a 27-21 overtime home loss to MIT, but Husson hopes to build off its successes this fall. The Eagles return nine starters on defense and six on offense, providing a nucleus that should help them remain a league power and a regional contender.
The quest begins anew on Saturday when Husson entertains Alfred (New York) University in a noon contest at the Winkin Complex.
“We are certainly excited and playing confidently,” Price said. “We understand what it takes, and we feel like we have some very good players and a good football team.”
The Eagles again will build around a veteran defense that ranked No. 23 in Division III total defense last year, allowing 287.3 yards per game. Husson also was 13th against the run (92.8 ypg).
Spearheading the unit are junior linebacker Ellis Throckmorton of Bangor (team-high 90 tackles, 20.5 for a loss) a year ago, and senior linebacker Bryant Wade (45 tackles).
“Ellis is a unique player with great leadership, and Bryant has really dedicated himself,” Price said.
Other mainstays include senior tackle Matt Pellerin (40 tackles), junior safety Rick Orio (39 tackles, three interceptions), junior end Jeff Turcotte (32 tackles) and sophomore tackle Luke Washburn (31 tackles).
In the secondary, junior safety Kenny Sweet Jr. (31 tackles, seven interceptions), a converted linebacker, along with junior cornerback Marquis Jimenez (23) and senior corner Jordan Hersom (21), return.
Husson must replace all-time leading tackler and All-American Stephan Dance, the ECFC Defensive Player of the Year, who was a four-time all-league choice.
“There’s a lot of depth in certain areas, and we have good football players who love the game,” Price said.
The Eagles allowed only 18.4 points per game last season and forced 35 turnovers, including 19 interceptions, to rank eighth in Division III.
On offense, Husson features one of the region’s premier running backs in John Smith. He burst onto the scene as a freshman to rush for 1,408 yards and 13 touchdowns, netting 6.2 yards per carry on the way to ECFC Rookie of the Year recognition.
“John is an outstanding player and loves the sport of football as much as anyone I’ve been around,” Price said.
He is complemented by Hampden Academy product Logan Steward, a junior who ran for 405 yards and six scores in 2014.
The Eagles, who churned out 225 ypg rushing, must replace three All-ECFC players up front, where senior tackle John Walker and junior offensive tackle Matt Archer, and senior guards Seth Batty and Tyler Lyle are veterans. They’re joined by junior center Jim Osgood and sophomore guard Austin Odd.
Bangor graduate Joe Seccareccia is the senior quarterback. He completed 122 of 245 passes good for 1,490 yards and 14 TDs with 10 interceptions last season and ran for 301 yards and three scores.
“We’re excited about Joe’s development and his maturity,” Price said.
Junior Deon Wiggins (33 receptions, 491 yds., six TDs) again heads the wide receiver corps, which welcomes back sophomores Greg Moore and Robenson Saintard and senior Josiah Hartley.
“Wide receiver is the position with the most depth on the football team,” Price said. “We seem to have more skill players than we’ve ever had.”
Husson also will look to a Bangor’s Seth Freudenberger as the place-kicker while either Jon Geagan or Seccareccia will handle punts.