BA Holds Annual Black and Grey Recruiting Showcase

Bridgton held its annual Black and Grey Recruiting Showcase at the Portland Sports Complex on Wednesday. Despite the snow storm things went off without a hitch, with a very solid turnout of college coaches from DI A to DIII in attendance.

Coaches watch during Offensive Line and Defensive Line drills

Mr. Vigneau talks with coaches from UConn and Sacred Heart

An assortment of coaches at the showcase

Brent MacLeod talks with a Southern CT coach

Zach Schnitzer sits down with a coach from WPI

Stephen Goniprow chats with a Colgate coach after the Combine on Wednesday

BA Ends Season On High Note

The Bridgton Academy Wolverines traveled down to Manchester, NH this past Saturday and came away with the victory 20-12. All the Wolverine scoring came in the first half. Brett Parenteau scored on a wide receiver screen from about 40 yards out, while Ken Brock added the two point conversion. Christian Weeman landed on the ball in the end zone after a blocked punt and Jordan Murphy caught a five yard pass before the half. The defense, for the most part, held their ground, though it was not easy; for most of the day it rained extremely hard. The coaches even admitted that it was the hardest they had ever seen it rain in a game. The Wolverine football team came together and the coaching staff were very proud of the way the kids played throughout the entire season.


-Coach Shairs

Gridiron Sightings & End of Season Tailgate

There hasn’t been a shortage of alumni at recent Bridgton football games. The following alumni were spotted by BA coaches over the past few weeks – sorry if we missed you! At the October 25th game, JD Blue ’08 and his father, John, were in attendance, and working as a line judge was 1988 alumnus Dexter McKenzie, who serves as a probation officer during his day job. The following week at Yale, Bill O’Brien, the father of Greg O’Brien ’94 came out to see this year’s football team in action. Bill has gone to almost every BA-Yale game since his son’s graduation in 1994. Also checking out the Wolverines was alumnus Dayne Hoffman ’07, the quarterback at Stonybrook University, and the parents of Sean Bostic Sealy ‘09, also a football alum who now plays at Pace. The Ivy League sightings continued at Columbia, where Vinny Marino ’88 works as an offensive coordinator for the Lion’s football team. NYC residents Andy Barr ’99 and his father, Ed, both came for the game, along with former faculty member, Tony Wright.

The ’09-‘10 football Wolverines wrapped up their season on November 14th with a game against Saint Anselm College. Local alumni were invited to tailgate, and we were happy to see more than ten Bridgton grad’s out and about at the game. The Bridgton-Saint A’s connection runs deep in recent years, with two BA alumni serving as football coaches on the Hawks staff. Patrick Murphy ‘91 has been the head coach for a number of years, and recently brought fellow Wolverine Rob Eggerling ‘97 onto his staff. Murphy and Eggerling, along with the entire Saint Anselm institution, appreciate recruiting Bridgton graduates, as they seem well prepared for Saint A’s both on and off the field from day one.

At the tailgate reception, Saint Anselm Athletic Director, Dr. Jo-Ann Nester, said that she looks forward to continuing to build the Bridgton-Saint A’s relationship, and although new to her job, feels that BA students seem to be a good fit to the Saint Anselm program. Several Wolverines now attend the college including Marc Wilson ’08, Bryant Lane ’07, Ethan Sylvain ’09, and Joe Robichaud ’09, all members of the football squad. In just two years, Wilson has become the school’s all-time leader in all-purpose yards, and last year was named as freshman of the year. This honor is now shared by Sylvain, who was selected as co-Freshman of the Year by the Northeast 10 committee this November. Other alumni in attendance included Kyle Snow ‘05, who recently graduated with a degree in engineering, Bob O’Sullivan ’84, and Vinny Orlando ‘77. BA football coaches Joe Daley ’77, Pat Shairs ’02, and Matt Burgess ’88 also attended the tailgate. A special thank you was presented by Coach Joe Daley ‘77 to current parents Cathy and Bob Benzing, Chip and Dora MacLeod, and Jill and Dave Parenteau, who coordinated the amazing tailgates provided to players and families throughout the entire season. A special thanks to all alumni and parents who joined us for games throughout the season, and we look forward to seeing you at future games.

Admissions and Alumni Event at St. Anselm's Game

This Saturday, November 14th, Bridgton Academy Football wraps up their season with a contest against the Hawks of St. Anselm's College in Manchester, NH.

Bridgton and St. Anselm Football have a number of connections starting with Head Coach Pat Murphy who is a BA alum, as well as Assistant Coach Rob Eggerling class of '97. Four former Wolverines dot the Hawk's roster including Marc Wilson '08, who because St. A's all-time leader in all purpose yards in just two season. Ethan Sylvain '09 was a 2nd team all conference selection for the Hawks this season. Also on the team are Bryant Lane '07 and Joe Robichaud '09.

The game kicks off at noon, and after the game join Bridgton Academy for a tailgate where you can meet up with current, past, and future members of the Bridgton Academy family. RSVP to Hope Beal in the Admission Office- 207 647 3322x 209. Or just show up to the game!

See you there.

Offense Falters As Big Green Win 14-12

In the best defensive effort in weeks the Bridgton Academy Wolverines held Dartmouth College JV to just 14 points; however the offense was not able to put up points like they had in previous weeks as Bridgton fell 14-12 to the Big Green.

On the road for the fifth consecutive week the Wolverines looked to break out from their losing streak, playing against their final Ivy League opponent. Bridgton got off to a tough start by turning the ball over on their first two drives, including on the second play of the game. Both turnovers, a fumble and interception, resulted in short fields for Dartmouth. The Big Green was able to find the end zone on each possession, quickly jumping out to a 14-0 lead. From that point on the defense would step up and give one of the best efforts of the season. The offense would get into the red zone three times but not come up with a score.

The start of the second half saw Bridgton force Dartmouth to punt after three failed plays. The ensuing drive by the Wolverines an impressive one as they marched the length of the field and was capped by a six yard touchdown run by Kenny Brock (Burlington, NJ). On the next Dartmouth possession Brian Wilcox (Jericho, VT) recovered a fumble and took it to the 25 yard line. Four plays later Brock once again ran in for another score, after BA did not convert on the two point attempt the score was 14-12.

The third quarter came to an end with Bridgton marching the ball down the field, taking it to the Dartmouth 15 yard line, however the Wolverines could not get into the end zone and turned the ball over on downs. From there on Dartmouth was able to run the clock out, and walk away with the win.

Brock threw for 152 yards, completing 16 of 29 attempts. Keith Williams (Simi Valley, CA) caught four passes for 42 yards, and Nick Marcella (North Bridgton, ME) caught three passes for 40 yards. On the ground Brock gained 75 yards on 17 carries and scored two touchdowns. Phil Bigelow (East Orange, NJ) racked up 79 yards on 11 carries and Nick Finger (Millbrook, NY) ran for 55 yards on 10 carries.

Defensively Stephen Goniprow (Barrington, RI) recorded 15 tackles, including a sack. Wilcox added a sack to go along with his fumble recovery, and Cameron Ziny (Natick, MA) also added a sack. Casey Gogeun (Ashburnham, MA) and Chris Higgins (Cumberland, ME) played very well for the Wolverines.

“This is the first game in a while you can say the offense did not play their best,” commented Head Coach Rick Marcella. “It was frustrating to not support such a solid defensive effort. The turnovers killed us, as we held them without a score after their first two drives,” added Marcella.

Brock awarded Athlete of The Month for October

Ken Brock was awarded with the Athlete of The Month award for October during Chapel on Tuesday by Coach Sawicki. Coach Sawicki mentioned that Ken had one of the most impressive months statistically by any Bridgton Academy quarterback. He also alluded to Ken's leadership qualities by saying that, "He (Ken) is the kind of athlete that coaches covet because he is willing to run through a wall time after time."

Ken was awarded the coveted "This Is Sparta" t-shirt and joins soccer player Rob Palumbo as winners of the award for the 09-10 schoo year.

Check out the link that further describes his exploits on the field for the month of October here: http://www.bridgtonacademy.org/athmonth.cfm

Dartmouth Tops Bridgton

The Bridgton Academy Wolverines headed down to Hanover, NH this past Sunday morning to play Dartmouth’s Junior Varsity team. Even though both teams played very well, the Big Green pulled out the victory, 14-12. Early in the game, the Wolverine offense turned the ball over twice and before the first quarter was over, Bridgton found themselves in a 14-0 deficit. On Dartmouth’s next series, however, Brian Wilcox (Jericho, VT) came hard off the edge causing the quarterback to fumble. He picked it up and bulled his way down to the 30 yard line. The Wolverines kept knocking on the door throughout the entire first half, yet they could not put the ball in the end zone. Down 14-0 at the half, Bridgton came together and played the best half (collectively) they had all year. Early in the third Ken Brock (Burlington, NJ) drove the Wolverine offense down the field and took it in from four yards out. However, the extra point had failed and Bridgton trailed 14-6. Later in the period, Brock took it in again from 3 yards away making the score 14-12. The two point conversion failed as Nick Finger (Millbrook, NY) was pulled down from the behind. With a few minutes to go, Ken Brock and Co. were knocking on the door yet again but turned the ball over on downs close to the 20 yard line. The defense couldn’t stop the run with just under 3 minutes to play and Dartmouth’s quarterback took a knee for the final two plays.

The Bridgton Academy Wolverines will head down to St. Anselm in Manchester, NH to end their season this Saturday at noon.