High School Huddle Camp Tour: Bellows Falls Terriers

WESTMINSTER, VT – Following three straight title game appearances, Bellows Falls football lost by just one point in the semifinals to eventual Division II champion North Country in the semifinals. The Terriers believe another championship berth is likely as long as they stay healthy.

“We were frankly just one play away from making it to the state finals, it wasn’t like we got blown out. It was one play, we just didn’t execute one play,” said long time Terriers head coach Bob Lockerby.

“It was tough seeing the seniors last year end on a loss, and I know all they wanted was to go to states, and play on that field one more time,” said Joshua Streeter, a fullback.

“Well one thing that hit us hard last year was injuries,” said Lockerby. “We played one game whole season with what I would have called our starting offense. So to finish the season the way we did, with what we had, especially a very young line at the time, made for a very successful season last year.”

One of the players who missed much of the season was starting quarterback Eli Allbee. He returns for his senior season.

“[I’ll] come back, use it as motivation and hopefully be better and make it back there this year,” said Allbee. “Our line’s coming back, they’re a lot of returners, and our backfield will be probably pretty strong. Our defense is [also] looking pretty good so far.”

“If we execute, I don’t see any reason why we can’t be one of the top teams,” said Lockerby.

“We’re all really motivated to get back into the game,” said Will Hallock, a tight end. “We’re really selfless, so we don’t bring it upon one person to do one thing, we work as a team a lot better this year. We’re going to do pretty good, feel really confident in our offense and defensive line and all our other special positions, and I feel like we got a pretty good shot this year.”

Their fearless leader, Lockerby, has lost track of just how many years he’s been the head coach, but he’s working on a half-century with the program.

“This is my 43rd year coaching football at Bellows Falls Union High School at some level. The years go by really fast,” he said.

The Terriers kick off the season at home against Lyndon Institute on Saturday August 31.

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