BERLIN, New Hampshire — The Aroostook Huskies, a football club featuring student athletes from Central Aroostook, Presque Isle, Caribou, Limestone, Van Buren and Washburn, took the long bus ride to Berlin, New Hampshire, Saturday, Sept. 14, and came away with an exciting 16-15 victory over the Gladiators.
“It was a great team win against a Berlin team that hadn’t lost a regular season game in over two years,” Huskies coach Taylor DeFelice said.
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- Braydon Martin (14) and Connor Rideout (34) of the Aroostook Huskies try to tackle a Berlin Gladiator player during a Sept. 14 game in Berlin, New Hampshire. The Huskies won 16-15. (contributed photo)
After playing a defensive first half, with the Gladiators holding an 8-0 lead going into halftime, the Huskies took their opening possession of the second half and marched down the field. Sophomore Dom Poisson (Presque Isle) lofted a 30-yard strike to junior Zaylan Johnston (Mars Hill) for the score. On the ensuing two-point conversion, Poisson tossed a short pass to junior Connor Rideout (Presque Isle) to even the game at 8-8.
Zaylan Johnston (13) of the Aroostook Huskies makes a leaping catch while teammate Angel Riopelle looks on during a Sept. 14 game against the Berlin Gladiators. (contributed photo)
Trailing 15-8 with 10 minutes to go, Poisson again connected on a long pass, this time a 50-yard bomb to Johnston, to pull the Huskies within a point, 15-14. The team decided to go for another two-point try and once again it was a success as Poisson connected with Johnston for the 16-15 advantage.
“With the team needing a big stop, Zaylan (Johnston) came up with an interception to seal the win,” the coach said. “Defensively we brought pressure the whole game and forced five turnovers, including two interceptions from Zaylan Johnson, one from Connor Rideout, one from senior Ilijaha Fortes (Presque Isle), and a fumble recovery from junior Kaden DeMerchant (Caribou).”
Poissson completed 14-of-28 passes for 200 yards with 2 touchdowns and two two-point conversions, with three interceptions. He also rushed for 15 yards. Aiden Hunt had seven carries for 20 yards, while Fortes had five carriers for 18 yards; Rideout had four carriers for 20 yards and five receptions for 60 yards; and Johnston had six catches for 120 Yards and two touchdowns.
Leading tacklers for the Huskies were sophmore Rudy Quinonez (Van Buren), seven tackles; sophomore Gunner Hatfield (Limestone), seven tackles; junior Damien Douglass (Washburn) six tackles; and DeMerchant, seven tackles, one fumble recovery.
Up next, the Huskies travel to South China to play Erskine Academy 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21.
