Staff Writer
The varsity Huskies played a teaser season on rainy and cold Saturdays to end with a 3-4 record in the Aroostook Football League. For five years the AFL has given area high school students the opportunity to hone their football abilities in a fall league. The Huskies, sponsored by Presque Isle Savings Bank of Maine and Aroostook Savings and Loan, represented the Caribou and Presque Isle area in the three-team group. The Knights played for Houlton and the Mustangs for Madawaska.
“We were inconsistent,” explained co-coach Stu Wyckoff. “We had flashes of brilliance and greatness but losses as well.” The Mustangs claimed the 2007 league title, but only a week before had lost to the Huskies. Wyckoff believes the ability levels on all three squads matched well for some exciting games.
“Our JV team was 3-1 in league play. It was exciting to see young players learning and do well,” said Wyckoff.
While they might have had mind-boggling up and downs, Wyckoff believes the 2007 Huskies had a successful run.
“The league is competitive, but winning is not the issue,” commented Wyckoff. Coaching hinges on teaching life lessons and fun, not pressuring players to beat the opponent.
“We were a young team in a learning phase, but we return most everybody next year,” he said. Eighteen of the 20 players will remain on the 2008 Huskies’ roster.
“Our leadership was Hank Milligan as the quarterback. The best runner was Tim Langlais. We also had two big, intimidating linemen in Matt Harris and Lucas Richards. Young and promising include Kyle Ladue, Anthony Carbone, Justin Good and Kord Putnam among others,” Wyckoff added.
The league offers youth interested in football and unable to play high school sports a chance to get out on the fall playing field. Wyckoff’s top issue for improvements next season falls heavily to the Presque Isle/Caribou area fan base. The league lacks interest from the Huskies’ communities due to the variety of fall sporting choices available.
“We had a game in Madawaska where there were 300 people for their team,” noted Wyckoff. The Madawaska municipality supports and encourages the AFL through fan and financial support. Wyckoff would like to see similar enthusiasm in his coaching area, 
particularly as they try to build a new field between Caribou and Presque Isle.
Next year the AFL will start a middle school league. They also hope to expand the league into northern and southern regions with football squads from Milo and Howland. Organizers also have an urgent need for referees, and will train anyone who volunteers.
Even though many of the Huskies will come back next year, Wyckoff and coach Dick Engels will recruit for more players in the spring. The AFL plays eight-person football, so coaches like to have at least 15 to 18 team members.
Any parents or students who would like to know more about the Aroostook Football League can contact Wyckoff at 764-7651.
