There are nearly 70 players from Maine who make up Husson University’s 114-man roster. 

Many played against one another during their high school careers. Some were rivals. A few won state championships at the expense of others. 

Once high school enemies, Husson’s home-grown talent has come together and are helping to rewrite program history. 

“There’s five or six guys here I played in the Lobster Bowl with, so I already knew them from there,” said junior defensive lineman Matt Pellerin, a Leavitt High School graduate. “That’s pretty cool when you already know some of the players and how they play and their attitudes. But there are those guys from opposite teams that were your rival in high school. When you first see them you’re a little hesitant to go over and talk to them because of the bad blood that was created from the rivalry, but eventually you start talking to them and find out they’re good people.” 

Pellerin and the rest of the Eagles have set program records in both wins in a season (8) and longest winning streak (eight games). They won their first Eastern Collegiate Football Conference title this season and will make their first appearance in the Division III playoffs in the program’s 12-year history. Husson hosts MIT today at noon. 

“There’s a lot of energy at practice and at school,” said freshman defensive lineman Luke Washburn, an Oak Hill graduate. “We’re looking forward to getting the opportunity to finally do this.” 

Husson’s defense is a large part of its historic season. The Eagles rank 18th in total defense among Division III schools and 12th against the run. They allow 268.2 yards per game, only 84.4 of which comes on the ground. 

“We play outstanding against the rush this year,” Husson coach Gabby Price said. “Really no one’s to this point run the ball against us. They just play very hard up front. They really get to the football.” 

Pellerin is tied for fourth on the team in total tackles with 34. He also has two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Pellerin recorded a career high eight tackles in the regular-season finale against Mount Ida. 

“We’re all just tough guys and we like to hit and we all rally to the ball really well,” Pellerin said. “If you watch film there’s always 11 guys around the ball, 11 green helmets around the ball. That’s been a big part of why we’ve been doing so well, and our coaching is excellent. Our game plans are perfect.” 

In his first season at the collegiate level, Washburn leads all Husson freshmen with 31 tackles. His eight tackles for loss ranks third on the team and Washburn’s also pitched in a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. In a 40-0 win against SUNY Maritime on Oct. 11, Washburn scored his first collegiate touchdown on a 21-yard fumble recovery. He is one of three freshmen with a touchdown this season. 

“Working together would be the biggest thing,” Washburn said. “We talk about it all practice and all game is just we tackle as a team, we work as a team during practice. We gel together so there’s no gaps, everyone does their job.” 

Pellerin and Washburn were named second-team all-conference on defense. 

Area athletes also making an impact for the Eagles include Lewiston’s Jeff Turcotte and former Leavitt athlete Jordan Hersom. Turcotte, a sophomore linebacker, has made 28 tackles this season and has three sacks. Hersom, a junior defensive back, has been in on 20 tackles and has two interceptions. 

“Certainly we’re a Maine-based college and we want to give Maine players an opportunity to play,” Price said. “I think we have 16 or 17 starters from the state of Maine. The thing about Maine, football is important in many, many schools and we want to surround ourselves where football is important to them. They come from towns with some excellent coaching, it’s a great tribute to the high school coaches in the towns.” 

Price has been instrumental in the program’s success during his two stints as head coach. He helped build the program in 2002 and coached from 2003-09, finishing 29-33. The Eagles went 3-27 in three years without him and are 13-6 since his return in 2013. 

“He’s great. He’s awesome,” Washburn said. “The one thing he tells us more than work hard is how much he loves us. It makes us feel good about ourselves and it definitely brings us closer together as a team. It absolutely has something to do with the success we have.” 

The high school football season ends today. The Eagles, filled with athletes who’ve played in the high school season’s final weekend, are now hoping to play a little bit longer.

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