BA vs. Navy Prep

The Bridgton Academy Football team returned to action on Saturday against their traditional rival the Naval Academy Prepatory School in New Port, Rhode Island.  The match up has seen a number of seesaw battles in recent years, including last year's 25-20 NAPS win.  However, Bridgton has failed to come out on top of the scoreboard for a decade.  Unfortunately, for the Wolverines, Saturday would be no different.

The opening drives for both teams came up empty and the squads exchanged punts.  Conversely, on Bridgton's second drive, the Wolverines fumbled deep in their own territory.  The Midshipmen of NAPS needed only one play to cover the 6 yards to the end zone and took the lead 7-0.  Bridgton's next drive again came up empty and NAPS was on the move when Svenn Jacobson (Cumberland, Maine) stripped the quarterback of the football and gave the ball back to BA.  Now, the offense began to move the ball.  Chris Mullins (Centerville, VA) connected with Troy Pelletier (Manchester, NH) and Steve Main (Lafayette, CA) as the offense pushed the ball to midfield.  The drive stalled, but Ryan McGann (Hopewell, NJ) unleashed a perfectly placed punt inside the NAPS 5 yard line as the first quarter expired. 

The second quarter saw the NAPS offense, a triple option scheme, go on a 15 play 92 yard drive that ate over 7 minutes off the clock.  But drive died when Ken Bartolo (Malden, MA) outplayed the NAPS receiver and intercepted a pass to the back corner of the end zone.  The offense was on the move again and saw Mullins scramble for a 10 yard conversion on 3rd down.  He then connected with Will Dyson (Cliffside, NJ) for an 11 yard gain.  However, the next play saw the second of BA's 5 turnovers and NAPS took control at the BA 42.  5 plays later, NAPS found pay dirt with an 8 yard toss to push the lead out to 14.  A three and out put the ball right back in the hands of the Midshipmen with under a minute left in the half.  Matt Garcia (Arlington, MA) made a key tackle for loss on third down and NAPS was forced to kick a field goal making the game 17-0 at the half.

The second half saw more of the same.  NAPS took the opening drive 67 yards on 15 plays and finished with a 15 yard scoring strike to push the lead out to 24.  The next NAPS drive stalled thanks to some hustle by John Strezo (Burlington, MA) and then saw Ken Bartolo block the ensuing field goal attempt.  The offense continued to struggle to find its rythem but Dan Cardillo (Wakefield, MA) picked off a pass early in the 4th quarter to give BA the ball at midfield.  Jhalen Bien-Amie (Boston, MA) provided some spark on the ground with a slashing 13 yard jaunt.  From there out, the NAPS team overwhelmed the Wolverines exemplified by a 64 yard pick six that sealed the deal.  Though there were some promising performances by individuals, the work of Strezo and David Pratt (Woburn, MA) who recorded a sack and 2 TFLs certainly qualify, the team was unable to overcome its mistakes. 

Bridgton looks to regroup as they prepare for Curry College, next Monday afternoon at 4 pm. 

By: Coach Dube