By JENN MENENDEZ

MaineToday Media, Inc.

Gabby Price has 110 players on his football roster at Husson College for the first time in the program's five-year history.

Thirty-six are returning letter winners, another 14 are returning starters, including receiver Jeremy Shorey, the former baseball player from Lisbon.

Price swears they'll have more than one running play and a pair of pass plays, although his daughter contests that's all she sees. The coming season brought together Maine's college football community Wednesday, as coaches from the state's five Division III programs and Division I University of Maine gathered for a luncheon put on by the Maine Chapter of the National Football Foundation at Verillo's Restaurant in Portland.

Along with Price, head coaches Ed Mestieri of Colby, Dave Caputi of Bowdoin, Mark Harriman of Bates, Chris McKenney of Maine Maritime Academy and UMaine coach Jack Cosgrove were featured speakers. Each shared their preseason outlook. The inaugural event was organized by former South Portland High coach Jack Flynn.

"I see tremendous value in this event," said Cosgrove. "You look at the state of Maine and how high schools are growing. This is certainly something that gets your blood flowing."

Husson will open the season Aug. 31 under the lights against Pace University.

Price, whose team went 6-4 last year, said his team returns seven offensive starters.

"Small college football is very healthy in Maine," said Price. "There's enough players who want to play. We like there is a choice for them."

Here's a look at what the other coaches forecast for the upcoming season:

n The offensive line will be the strength of the Bates College team this fall. The Bobcats went just 1-7 last year but returned all five starters from the O-line.

"They struggled last year, but are a group of young guys who worked hard," said Harriman.

On offense, the team lost three-year all-NESCAC running back Jamie Walker, but returns a group of strong receivers.

On defense, the line took a hit, Harriman said, but his linebacker corps is in tact, led by captain Todd Wilcox.

Players report to camp Aug. 27.

n Up at Bowdoin College, a former recruited free safety will scramble around at quarterback, having earned the job last year. Oliver Kell, who spent a year at Kents Hill, will be protected by a strong offensive line and have six receivers to work with in preseason, said Caputi.

The Polar Bears went just 2-6 last year, but plan to rebound in 2007.

Practice starts Aug. 27.

n Mestieri's White Mules at Colby also are looking to rebound from a 2-6 season last year. Defense will be key, the coach said.

"It's a new year and hope springs eternal," said Mestieri, who returns 30 letter winners when practice starts Aug. 27. "For us, everything starts with the defense. We should be solid against the run and capable of getting to the quarterback."

The quarterback job is wide open, said Mestieri, after the team lost four-year starter Justin Smith: "Vince Lombardi said it's ironic that the ultimate team sport relies so heavily on one guy."

n Maine Maritime Academy is shooting to win their division and reach the championship game of the New England Football Conference, said Coach McKenney.

The Mariners are coming off back-to-back winning seasons of 7-3 and 6-3, and will be led by four captains from Maine: halfback Brandon Goodrich from Waterboro/Massabesic, safety Nate Bolduc of Farmington/Mt. Blue, strong safety Joe Blyler from Bangor and linebacker Chris Tracy of Westbrook.

Players report Aug. 18.

n Cosgrove, whose team joins the southern rooted Colonial Athletic Association, said he hopes Maine can keep up with the vision of the CAA.

"They want to be the No. 1 I-AA conference in the country and that's exciting as heck for me," said Cosgrove.

Cosgrove's players report to practice Monday. Several interesting storylines are expected to come out of camp. Michael Brusko and Adam Farkas will be competing to start as quarterback. Lewiston running back Jared Turcotte, a true freshman, will try to crack the starting lineup.

"We're very, very excited about him. Not only as a football player but as a young man," said Cosgrove.

Cosgrove said he believes Maine's defense will be even better this year despite losing linemen Mike DeVito and Matt King, and Daren Stone from the secondary.