Huskies secure playoff victory

by Joseph Cyr
4 years ago
Huskies quarterback Dom Poisson (No. 58) rushes with the ball during a Saturday, Nov. 9, playoff game against Damariscotta. The Huskies won 50-18. (Photo courtesy of Taylor DeFelice)

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Aroostook Huskies hosted the Damariscotta Eagles Saturday at Northern Maine Community College in a Maine Independent Football League playoff and the home team did not disappoint.

The No. 2 Huskies (8-1 overall) pummeled No. 3 Damariscotta 50-18 to advance to the championship. The Huskies travel to New Hampshire Saturday to face top-ranked Berlin Gladiators (7-1) for the championship. The time and location of that game has yet to be decided.

The Huskies forced a turnover on the first drive of the game thanks to an interception by Zaylan Johnston, setting the tone for the game. The team then drove the length of the field and scored on Aiden Hanks 10-yard run.

The Eagles were able to rebound with a score of their own, but after that it was all Huskies as the home team rolled to a 20-6 halftime lead and never looked back.

“We were able to force more turnovers in the second half and converted them for scores,” coach Taylor DeFelice said.

For the Huskies, quarterback Dom Poisson completed 12-of-19 passes for 202 Yards two touchdowns and three interceptions. He also had nine carries for 78 yards and two scores. Ilijaha Fortes had eight carries for 20 yards and a score and added eight catches for 113 and a touchdown.

Hanks chipped in five carries for 15 yards and a score. Johnston had three catches for 60 yards and a touchdown and also added a 2-point conversion. Connor Rideout had one catch for 20 yards.

Defensively, Johnston had three interceptions and three tackles; Rideout had one interception and five tackles; Angel Riopelle had one interception and three tackles; Kaden DeMerchant had nine tackles and a fumble recovery; and Fortes had six tackles.