Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Parents' Weekend is Here!

Finally, Parents' Weekend has arrived! The guys have been busy in the classroom and on the field, and it's time they show off their hard work! There is a lot going on this weekend, and it will be great fun!

Here is a link to a full schedule of events!

The football team has a big game this weekend as they take on Merrimack College at 1:00 P.M. on Sunday in front of family and friends. We hope to see you all there!!

Monday, September 26, 2011

BA 24 - Holy Cross 14

Coach Bishop wrote a nice recap from this weekends game...

This week the Wolverines traveled down to Worcester, Massachusetts to face their first FCS opponent of the year, The College of the Holy Cross. Holy Cross has had the upper hand in this match-up for the most part, with the last Bridgton Academy win coming in 2007. It wasn't looking good for either spread offense with heavy rain making passing the ball an adventure. Bridgton came out early and succeeded in establishing the run game with their two workhorses, Sean Reed (Plainsboro, NJ) and leading BA rusher for the game, Josh Morales (Mount Sinai, NY). The two combined for 90 out of the 130 total rushing yards for the day.

In spite of the weather, Bridgton's quarterbacks and receivers found a way to get the job done with 179 total passing yards and two touchdowns through the air and one Rushing touchdown, a tribute to the offensive line who only gave up one sack all day.

The first quarter, started with the special teams of both teams getting their work in the punt game. Bridgton was the first to break through on the score board with a pass from Mike Luks (Amherst, NH) to Derek Beck (Martinsville, NJ) for a touchdown. The Wolverines then converted their first field goal of the season by Mitch Graziano (Kingston, MA) to make the score 10-0.

However, Holy Cross wasn't about to roll over. Before the half, the Crusaders put a score on the board to make it 10-7 going into the locker room.

Coming out in the second half, the Wolverines continued to be consistent scoring two more touchdowns. One on a connection from Steven Cronan (Hampton, NH) to Austin Harrington (Chanhassen, MN) and the second a rush from the Cronan. The Bridgton defense in the second half was ready for Holy Cross allowing no offensive points. The only points scored by Holy Cross in the second half was an interception return for a touchdown. It was an all around defensive effort, headed up by the defensive line, Jeff Amell (Bar Mills, ME), Will Wowkanyn (Brick, NJ), and Landon Moore (Saratoga, NY) who consistently put pressure on the Holy Cross backfield.

"I'm pleased with the progress the team made in all three areas of the game this week," said Head Coach Rick Marcella. "That said, one look at the video will tell us that there is a long way yet to go. Weekly improvement will always remain our goal."

Next Week, Bridgton will be hosting Parent's Weekend. The football team will be facing off against Merrimack College in their last home game of the year. We look forward to seeing all of the parents next weekend!

Monday, September 19, 2011

Football Wins Again

The football team traveled to Curry College this weekend to face off against the Colonels and walked away with a 40-6 victory. Bridgton opened the game with a bang with a 60 yard reception from quarterback Steven Cronan (Hampton, NH) to Austin Harrington (Chanhassen, MN). On the second play of the game, Bridgton was on the board with a reception from Cronan to Seth Sheridan (Ashburnham, MA) and was in control for the rest of the game allowing only one touchdown in the second half. Sheridan was the big target this game catching a total of three touchdowns. To open the second quarter, Will Luks (Amherst, NH) and Derek Beck (Martinsville, NJ) connected, continuing the air assault, on a 42 yard touchdown reception. The next possession was much the same as Bobby Kaslander (Verona, NJ) hauled in a 50 yard flee flicker which set up a powerful 12 yard run by Josh Morales (Mount Sinai, NY) for the touchdown. Sheridan in the 3rd quarter with Mitch Graziano (Kingston, MA) at the helm caught 2 more passes for over twenty yards and another touchdown to cap off his day.





The offiensive line was in fine shape again allowing the trio of quarterbacks to do their work with little or no pressure. John Higgins (Cumberland, ME), George Benakis (Ontario, Can), Jared Anderson (East Longmeadow, MA), Ben Schmidt (Wakefield, MA), Brandon Johnson (Wakefield, MA), James Aloisio (Middleton, MA), and Ryan Mrozek (Shelton, CT) all held the the wall.





On defense, Bridgton had a solid day keeping Curry out of the endzone until well into the 2nd half.





Next week the level of competition goes way up as Bridgton Academy goes down to Worcester, MA to face off against Holy Cross, the first I-AA opponent of the year. "Another great win, but will have to play cleaner in all aspects of the game going into Next week against Holy Cross. We have to continue to improve and have a great week of practice." says Coach Marcella.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Football Blows Past Springfield in Home Opener!

The football team started their season this Sunday with a physical 54-6 win against the Pride of Springfield College. Though working out some opening game jitters the Wolverines came out firing and continued for the entire game. Six different players scored for a total of seven touchdowns for Bridgton Academy. Derek Beck, Robert Kaslander, and Austin Harrington combined for four BA passing touchdowns. Stephan Cronan also had a five yard run count for six points. Even the defense was involved in the scoring with an interception return for a touchdown by Taren Collier and a fumble, forced by Connor McAleney, created a return for a touchdown by Karlos Locke. The defense was solid all game forcing consistent pressure in the backfield and creating great coverage in the secondary. In all, 12 different offensive players made receptions or ran the ball and every player on the BA squad got playing time. Though excited for his team, Coach Marcella kept his eyes forward with his comments after the game. He simply said “A great way to start, but a long way to go.”

Click this link so see some photos from the game on shutterfly!

The Wolverines are taking to this field in practice this week to prepare for their next contest as they travel to Curry College to play their J.V. team this coming Sunday (9/18/11) at 1:00 P.M.