Wolverines vs. Yale

It was a close game this past Sunday when the Wolverines traveled to take on Yale University. In the first quarter Yale scored but missed the extra point. Bridgton Academy's offense was unable to capitalize until the 4th quarter but the Wolverine defense did a great job holding their opponent at a score of 6. Finally late in the final quarter Bridgton connected on several drives to get the only touchdown and extra point kick they would need to beat their second Ivy League opponent and 4th overall team in a row. They will be traveling to Vermont this Sunday to play Norwich University where they will be looking for their fifth win in a row.

Wolverines vs. Brown University

On Sunday September 21st, the Bridgton Academy Football team traveled to Providence, Rhode Island to play the Brown University Bears. Although it was a tough game and the Wolverines were behind in the the quarter, the Wolverines beat Brown 19-18, with an incredible rally from the team. Great Job, Guys!

Wolverines play Brown University

Congratulations to the Bridgton Football Team for a tight 19-18 win over Brown.

Bridgton Academy plays Bryant University

On Sunday Oct 14, 2012 the Bridgton Academy football team traveled to Smithfield, Rhode Island to take on the Bryant University. The Wolverine defense set the tone early forcing the opponent offense to punt. The Wolverine offense took the field and converted two big 3rd down attempts. The first was a pass from quarterback Brock Dale to Taylor Hughes, and the second was a run also by Hughes. Brooks Poulins would cap off the drive with a 5 yard touchdown reception. Other scores from the day included 2 and 3 yard runs from Byron King, a 7 yard reception from Rashad Young, and a 1 yard run from Devon Lofton. On defense the Wolverines found sparks from interceptions by Garret Agustin and Jarrod Casey. Up front the defense was led by Peter Amabile, Jesse El-Ghoul, Chris Lee, and Tim Rochon. The final score was Bridgton Academy 34 Bryant University 0. Next week the team travels to Brown University and kickoff is scheduled for 1pm.

Bridgton takes on Merrimack College

Bridgton Academy set the tone at Merrimack Sunday afternoon scoring on their first possession, after a big kick return by Devon Lofton. The Wolverine offense drove 60 yards behind an impressive running game and play by the offensive line. The drive was capped off with a touchdown pass from QB Brock Dale and TE Bobby Paul.

Coming back from a solid game last weekend, the Bridgton defense made another statement with an impressive outing. The relentless defense would stone Merrimack early and often including a big goal line stand late in the first half.

A late interception by Safety Kelly Dobbins would set up an impressive finish for the BA offense in the first half. QB Brock Dale connected with Rashad Young on spectacular catch and run to make the score 14-0 at half. Rashad Young’s TD catch would make the difference of the game, as the BA defense would bend but not break.

The Wolverines captured their 2^nd win of the season with a final score of 14-7 behind Sunday’s leading receiver Rashad Young, the BA secondary, and the rapidly developing Wolverine line. The Wolverines travel to Division-I FCS opponent Bryant University next weekend in Smithfield, Rhode Island. Kickoff for Sunday’s game is scheduled for 2:00 pm. 

Wolverines Drop Close Game to Navy Prep

LtCol Thomas L. Rollins '68 conducting the coin toss before the Bridgton vs. Navy Prep game that took place on Saturday, September 29th. Rollins, who had been inducted into the Bridgton Academy Hall of Fame the night before, was joined on the field by fellow 2012 HOF inductee, Carlos A. Canino '84, along with Tom Austin, who coached both men when they played football here at Bridgton.

The Wolverines played well and had a chance in the closing minutes of the game to take the win, but fell short 25-20 to Navy Prep. The Wolverines take on Merrimack College on Sunday, October 7th at Merrimack.

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The Navy Prep Midshipmen won the opening toss, deferring to the 2nd half. Bridgton Academy opened the game with an explosive kick return by Devon Lofton, setting the Wolverines up in Midshipmen territory. The Wolverines capitalized on the field position, ending the drive with a red zone completion to Eris Nahoum for a touchdown. The Wolverines fumbled the snap on the extra point, putting the score at 6-0. However, Navy Prep would answer back immediately, returning the ensuing kick for a touchdown. Jared Osumah blocked the Midshipmen extra point attempt, tying the game at 6-6. The Wolverine offense refused to let the momentum shift, and grinded out a 9 play, 74 yard drive to answer back with a touchdown and point after, putting the Wolverines up 13-6.

 

 The Wolverines and Midshipmen continued to test each other physically over the next several series, with both defenses holding strong. The Midshipmen eventually found their way through the Bridgton defense, scoring a touchdown late in the second quarter, and another missed point after set the score at 13-12 heading into halftime.

The Midshipmen opened the second half with a scoring drive, fueled by a controversial play. Navy Prep then attempted a 2 point conversion, but was denied by the Wolverine defense, making the score 13-18 Midshipmen. The Wolverine offense faltered the following possession, and again the Midshipmen capitalized on a controversial play for a score. The extra point put the score at 13-25. After the Wolverine offense stalled again, the defense put together a great stand, stopping the Midshipmen in the redzone and giving the Wolverines the opportunity to get back into the game. 

The Bridgton Academy offense put together an impressive 90 yard drive for a score, fueled by the arm of Brock Dale, key receptions from Taylor Hughes, and physical play from Geeavontie Griffith and the offensive line. Brock Dale finished the drive with a quarterback sneak for the score, and the extra point set the score at 20-25.  

On the following possession, the Wolverine defense put together a critical stop, giving the Wolverine offense the chance to win with under 2 minutes remaining in the game. The Wolverines failed to convert on several key attempts, and turned the ball back over to the Midshipmen. Navy Prep ran out the clock—the final score  of the game was 20-25, Navy Prep.

Holy Cross Holds On To Win Against Bridgton

The Wolverine football team traveled south to Worcester, Mass to face the JV team from Holy Cross on Friday.  The game began with the Wolverines winning their third consecutive coin toss and taking the ball.  The offense set a nice tone as Geeavonti Griffith (Randolph, MA) took the first hand-off to the right for a twenty yard gain to mid field.  Though the drive fizzled out, the ability to run the ball effectively would be an earmark of the Wolverine offense.

Unfortunately, for the Wolverines, the second trend of the day occurred on Holy Cross’s first possession.  The Crusaders took seven plays to put the ball deep within BA territory; where the quarterback escaped a sack and scrambled for a fourth down touch down.  The lesson:  the Wolverine defense would be close, but unable to get off the field in critical downs.

Holy Cross added a second touchdown in the first quarter when the D lost track of a receiver and again the Crusaders struck, this time through the air for six.  The score now 14-0, the two teams exchanged punts and the Wolverine offense took over near mid field and went on a march.  The drive was highlighted by the tough running of Devan Lofton (Fairfield, CT) and capped when Brock Dale (Palos Verdas, CA) found Bobby Paul (Westfield, MA) on a nineteen yard scoring strike.

Holy Cross answered with another long drive capped by a fifteen yard touchdown pass to put the Crusaders up 20-7.  Dale and the offense would not go quietly, as the Wolverines responded with a ten play sixty yard drive.  Paul again played an essential role, catching a key first down during the drive.  Eris Nahoum (Goshen, NY) caught a big, twenty yard pass from Dale, to set up the second scoring pass to Paul.  This touchdown, Paul’s second, was on a ten yard crossing route, that saw the offensive line give Dale a ton of time to find Paul late in his route.  The teams went into the half with the score Holy Cross 20, Bridgton 14.

The second half saw improved defense out of the Wolverines, forcing four punts and a turnover on downs, while Billy Sturgis (Bristol, RI) picked off a pass in the red zone.  Midway through third, Dale led the offense on an epic march.  The drive saw Byron King (Brooklyn, NY) gain critical yards behind the strong blocking of Malcolm Williams (Long Island, NY), Dan McCourt (Pembroke, MA), Alex Stilphan (South Portland, ME), Evy Elledias (Bedford, NY), and Scott Carucci (Stoneham, MA).  Nahoum and Paul continued their key contributions, both catching first down passes on the drive.  While newcomer, Jared Osumah added his first catch of the year, a twenty yarder, that set up the scoring pass on the first play of the fourth quarter.  The touchdown, Dale’s third of the day and the first for Nahoum, tied the game at 20.

Unfortunately, the Crusaders found pay dirt for the fourth time after a fumble deep in Wolverine territory.  The drive, a four play twenty six yard series, put the Crusaders up 27-20 with under five minutes to go.  Despite moving the ball down the field into scoring range, the Wolverines came up short as a last minute heave to the end-zone fell into the hands of a Crusader defender as the clock struck triple zero. 

The next game for the Wolverines will be Saturday, September 29^th.  The contest will be the lone home game on BA’s schedule and will take place during the homecoming/parents’ weekend festivities.  The game will pit the Wolverines against arch rival Navy Prep at 2 pm on Ellis-Fischer Field.