Led by Dick Engels, the middle school program was a great success, with about 50 players in the seventh- and eighth-grades manning two teams from the central Aroostook area and one team from the St. John Valley. This indicates that football is going to grow in the future.
The high school program also underwent considerable change and expansion. The 65 players on the teams in the central Aroostook (Huskies), southern Aroostook (Knights) and northern Aroostook (Mustangs) areas elected to become the Aroostook Division of the Northern Maine Football League.
They joined teams from Milo, Howland and Bradford/Corinth/Hudson from the Penobscot Division in a greatly-expanded and much more competitive program.
In addition to playing games at the varsity level, junior varsity games were added to provide more balanced competition and more playing time for all.
A working relationship with a football program in Fredericton, New Brunswick was also launched, laying the groundwork for even greater expansion in years to come.
The quality of play at the high school level was significantly improved over prior years and there is a good chance at least two players from the program will be able to continue football at the collegiate level.
The local Huskies were in a rebuilding year, featuring a variety of new players, but capably led by seniors Hank Milligan, Lucas Richards, Sonny Drost and Ryan Jones.
While not as successful on the playing field as the team had hoped, a solid nucleus was established for the future.
Aroostook Football is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to providing quality recreational experiences for kids in the County. In order to achieve this mission, the program seeks as much help from area communities as possible.
Adults are needed to provide coaching and officiating, and training is provided.
Business leaders are needed to assist with fund-raising and development of the fields. Players are needed to man the teams.
Those with an interest in seeing this program succeed should contact the organization through its website: http://www.aroostookfootball.com/, or by calling Stu Wyckoff at 764-7651.
PATRIOTS — Members of the Patriots’ Aroostook Football middle school team are, in front from left, Frank Nunez, Craig Nadeau, Saul Nunez, James D’Arcangelo, Brett Stratton, Ryan Webster, Isaac Butler, Mike Poulin and Tyler Proulx. Back row, assistant head coach Jay Trainer, Cody Flannery, Dustin Sandbeck, Jensen Shaw, Amanda Bagley and head coach Dan Bagley. Absent when photo was taken were assistant coaches Aaron Tomlinson and Bryce Mann-Cyr.
POLAR BEARS — Members of the Polar Bears’ Aroostook Football middle school team are, in front from left, Matthew Foran, Christian Lunn, Jason Soares, Allan White III, Mike Michaud, Tyler Charette, Garrett Delong, Michael Foran and Josh Jones. Back row, assistant coach Wayne Charette, assistant coach Mary Yakkey, head coach Dick Engels, Zach Dube, Cyle McCleary, Scott Delong, Keighan Robbichaud-Griffin and assistant coach Shaun Jones.
