Husson University has dominated the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference over the last handful of years, having claimed two of the last three conference titles, including a championship last fall.
The Eagles will begin their quest for another NCAA Division III postseason berth on Saturday when they host Union College (New York) at the Winkin Complex in Bangor.
Maine Maritime Academy of Castine also opens its season with a road contest against SUNY Maritime.
Husson Eagles vs. Union Dutchmen, Saturday, 1 p.m. at Bangor: Coach Gabby Price’s Eagles were picked to repeat as ECFC champs and entertain the Dutchmen of the Liberty League.
Husson returns the ECFC Offensive Player of the Year in senior tailback John Smith. Smith led the league with 1,715 rushing yards on 277 carries last fall, scoring 17 touchdowns.
Smith has also proven to be dependable as he did not turn the ball over last year.
Anchoring the defense is reigning ECFC Defensive Player of the Year Luke Washburn, who led the conference with 12 sacks and was tied for the lead in tackles for a loss with 95.
Husson’s defense yielded only 15.4 points and 162.2 total yards per contest last season.
Upset-minded Union will be looking to rebound from last fall’s 3-7 campaign.
Maine Maritime Academy vs. SUNY Maritime, Saturday, noon, Throggs Neck, New York: There’s nowhere to go but up for coach Chris McKenney’s Mariners this fall, who are coming off a disappointing 1-7 season.
The coaches in the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference are thinking the Mariners will struggle again, as they were picked to finish in the bottom of the league.
They’ll face a challenging road contest right off the bat against a SUNY Maritime club picked to finish second in the ECFC.
This marks the first season for Maine Maritime in the NEWMAC, as it had most recently competed in the New England Football Conference.
Senior linebacker Cody O’Brien will look to anchor the Mariners’ defense, while MMA will hope to wear the Privateers down with their run-oriented, triple-option attack.
SUNY-Maritime defeated MMA 35-28 in Castine last year.