Bridgewater State football team has high hopes for 2008 season
By Jim Fenton, Enterprise Staff Writer
September 2, 2008
BRIDGEWATER - There were high hopes for the Bridgewater State College football team a year ago.
The Bears were coming off back-to-back appearances in ECAC postseason bowl games and had a number of experienced players returning on offense and defense.
Injuries sidetracked BSC, which got off to a 4-1 start, and the Bears lost three of their final five games with a shorthanded roster.
At one point in the season, BSC had eight starters out of action due to injuries, meaning young players had to step in and play important roles right away.
"It was definitely frustrating, but at the same time, it was encouraging to be able to win the games we won with the guys we were missing," said Coach Chuck Denune, who is 23-7 in three years. "That was something else. To lose as many starters as we did in one year , I don't know if you'll see that. But we were able to salvage the season."
BSC finished 6-4, losing to Plymouth State, 24-21, in the ECAC North Atlantic Bowl, and now the Bears are looking for a fresh start with a healthy squad.
They open the season Saturday afternoon at Swenson Field, hosting Rowan University of New Jersey, which missed the NCAA Div. 3 tournament last year for the first time since 2003.
"I don't want to make excuses, but we got decimated by injuries," said Denune. "We kind of ran out of bullets on offense. The defense played well and we were able to win our last two regular season games while we were banged up to make it to the ECAC bowl.
"We were playing with freshman and sophomores. We were forced to, but we got a lot of experience for guys who probably wouldn't have seen it last year, and that's going to help."
As was the case at this time a year ago, the Bears have reason for optimism with 16 starters returning, plus the underclassmen who picked up unexpected playing time.
They should have a high-scoring offense that will use balance, and there are plenty of veterans on defense to make BSC a solid contender in the New England Football Conference.
"All the potential is there, as much as it's ever been," said Denune. "It reminds me a lot of the 05 team (that went 9-1). There's a lot of ways to push the ball downfield. Defensively, the personnel is very strong."
BSC averaged 408.3 yards of total offense a year ago, and Tyler D'Ambra of Mansfield will step in as the starting quarterback after throwing 25 passes in two games last season.
D'Ambra, a senior, was set to take over the starting job late last season, but he was felled by appendicitis and did not see any more action until the second half of the ECAC postseason game.
"He almost brought us back to win that game (after Steve Clark was injured)," said Denune. "He's looked really good. He's playing with a lot of confidence. He throws the ball as well as anyone we've had."
Senior Bruce Burley of Mansfield, who gained 479 yards four games before suffering a season-ending injury, returns at tailback.
"We are obviously thrilled to have him back," said Denune of Burley, who gained 869 yards in 2006.
That position has depth with junior Jeff Creeden of Mansfield, a transfer who played linebacker at Springfield College, junior Jason Azulay, sophomore Jared Ulak and freshman Nate Adames. Creeden has made quite a first impression in camp.
"He's just blown through the depth chart," said Denune. "He's tremendously talented. He's a Bridgewater State back. He can run, block, catch the ball out of the backfield."
Taunton High graduate Jesse Teixeira, who missed the entire 2007 season with an injury, returns to head the wide receivers. Teixeira had 19 catches for 455 yards and five touchdowns in 2006 and will give the Bears a deep threat.
He is joined by senior David Wall, who made nine catches for 128 yards, and Jessy Resende, the former Brockton High standout quarterback who is in his first year at BSC. Resende will also return punts and kickoffs for the Bears. All-conference tight end Tony Cina of Hanson will also make the offense productive.
The offensive line is experienced with returning players seniors Justin Lima (tackle) and Joe Morency (center), junior guard Jeff Smith and twins Joel (tackle) and Dan (guard) Nunes of Taunton.