By DAN BARILE
Eagle Times Correspondent
The 72nd Annual Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl Game will take place on Aug. 2 at Vermont State University and will feature three local standouts, along with a familiar face leading the boys from the Green Mountain State.
Eli Allbee, Bellows Falls, QB/DB
Eli Allbee earned Division 2 First Team All-State honors at quarterback while also playing a key role in the secondary for the Terriers. Allbee was a dual threat for Bellows Falls at the quarterback position, recording several rushing touchdowns while also demonstrating the ability to throw the ball downfield. The Shrine game will be Allbee’s second time playing at Vermont State University Castleton this season. Allbee competed in the North-South Classic during his last trip to Castleton, throwing for 62 yards during the November battle featuring many of Vermont’s top seniors.
Carson Clark, Bellows Falls, RB/LB
Carson Clark will be representing Vermont after a storied four-year career in southeastern Vermont.
Clark spent his first three years playing for Springfield before transferring to Bellows Falls for his senior season. Clark was the Rookie of the Year as a freshman at Springfield before earning team MVP honors during his sophomore and junior seasons with the Cosmos. Clark also earned Division 3 First Team All-State honors as quarterback and linebacker during his sophomore and junior campaigns.
Clark made the switch to running back for his senior season in the Terriers and ground and pound attack. The move proved to be a fruitful one, with Clark leading Bellows Falls in rushing yards and earning a spot on the Division 2 First Team All-State squad as running back.
“Playing in the Shrine game is bigger and better than any other game I will ever play in because it is for the kids, and helping raise money for such an amazing organization is what it is all about,” Carson Clark said. “I am beyond honored to be asked to play in the game.”
After high school, Clark plans to continue his studies and his football career at either Husson University or Nichols College. Husson had been a popular choice for Vermont football players in recent years, with 13 players from the Green Mountain State currently on the roster, including Bellows Falls alum Jed Lober.
Zach Richardson, Stevens, RB/LB
Zach Richardson was an accomplished player on both sides of the ball for the Cardinals, earning Second Team All-State honors as a running back during his junior season, and First Team All-State honors as an inside linebacker in his senior year.
Richardson ran for 745 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior after compiling 445 rushing yards and three touchdowns during his junior campaign. Defensively, Richardson was the anchor for the Cardinals, highlighted by a game against Monadnock where he tallied an incredible 22 total tackles (16 solo).
Richardson will be attending Plymouth State University, where he plans to study exercise science before pursuing a doctorate in physical therapy. He is also planning to play football for the Panthers this fall.
Bob Lockerby, Bellows Falls, Head Coach
Coach Lockerby will lead Vermont in the 72nd Annual Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl Game this summer. Lockerby has been the head coach at Bellows Falls since 2006, after serving as an assistant coach to Bis Bisbee from 1981-2005. The veteran coach has led the Terriers to three state titles during his tenure.
BELLOWS FALLS QUARTERBACK/DEFENSIVE back Eli Allbee will have one more opportunity to play for Bob Lockerby on Aug. 2 at Vermont State University Castleton.
BELLOWS FALLS RUNNING back/linebacker Carson Clark will play in one final contest before resuming his playing career at the collegiate level.
Running back and linebacker Zach Richardson from Stevens High School was selected to play in the 72nd Annual Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl Game.
