Bridgewater-Raritan’s confidence growing with fast start
The Bridgewater-Raritan High School football team’s undefeated run through the regular season a year ago, and its ultimate trip to the North 2 Group V final, were historic accomplishments for a program that had never reached a state final. And after heavy graduation losses, it would stand to reason the Panthers would have to take a step back this season.
But after opening its campaign with victories against two big-time divisional opponents, the confidence continues to grow, and Bridgewater-Raritan is doing everything it needs to do to put itself in position for history to repeat itself.
“The quick start is important anytime,” Bridgewater-Raritan coach Scott Bray said. “But also, it’s important when you come off a year like we had last year, because coming out and doing this, it just continues to validate the hard work and everything you’re doing. We don’t know what the next seven weeks will bring, but at this point, we’ve instilled the confidence in these kids that they deserve to be out there as much as anyone.”
The Panthers opened the season with a 22-10 topping of Hunterdon Central in a game they trailed at halftime. Last Friday night, B-R left no doubt, going to Hillsborough and turning in a 30-10 victory, getting another strong defensive effort and continuing to establish its running game.
Bray said his team is exactly where it needs to be.
Juniors Justin Bryant and Chike Nwankwo have led the defense, combining for 33 tackles through the first two games, along with seniors Matt Alesandro and Nick Attanasio and juniors Nick Celli and Allen Choy.
Offensively, Attanasio has done a nice job under center, accounting for three touchdowns via the air and ground game, while David Usewick has also contributed from the backfield and on special teams, and Ricky Tate, who also recorded an interception, has led the receiving corps.
Senior kicker Justin Davidovicz has converted three field goals so far, including a pair from over 40 yards, and 10 of his 11 kickoffs have resulted in touchbacks.
But Bridgewater-Raritan also knows its trajectory could change at any time, especially playing in the Mid-State 38 Delaware Division, one stocked with contenders including perennial powerhouse Phillipsburg, which the Panthers will visit this weekend.
“We’re getting better at things as we move on, and the kids are getting more and more confident in what we’re asking them to do” Bray said. “Right now, everyone is still trying to figure out who’s who (in the league). Last year it was probably around Week 5 or 6 or 7 that we started thinking, well, this team is getting better every week, so it’s hard for me to say that now. Yes, we’ve done good things in Week 1 and Week 2. Hopefully we continue to grow into Week 3.”
FOOTBALL: A complete list of links to all our Week 2 football coverage in the Courier News area
Picture an offense
What do Donald Trump, Shrek, Kanye West and Pikachu of Pokemon fame have in common?
Aside from being the building blocks of what would, arguably, be the greatest reality television show cast in history, they’re also just some of the images that appear on a series of placards being used by the Somerville offense to relay play calls to its no-huddle attack.
In the spirit of San Francisco 49ers and former University of Oregon and Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly, Somerville offensive coordinator Dallas Whitaker has put his own spin on picturesque play calling, using four images per placard to send plays in to his offense.
Some examples include Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, the Adidas logo, Donkey from the “Shrek” movies and the word “Cat”; former President George W. Bush, the Air Jordan logo, Puss-in-Boots from “Shrek” and the word “Cow”; and former President Ronald Reagan, the Nike logo, Shrek himself and the word “Fish.”
The system is clearly working, as Somerville has averaged 48 points per game through its first two contests, leading to the Pioneers’ first 2-0 start since 2009. Senior quarterback Nick Couzzi has also benefited as he’s run the offense, completing 35-of-54 passes for 745 yards and nine touchdowns over the first two outings, adding 168 rushing yards and two more touchdowns.
Quick hits
Manville’s 34-13 victory over Pingry on Friday night snapped the Mustangs’ 19-game Mid-State 38 losing streak, dating back to a 20-0 victory over Dayton in the final regular-season game of 2013. Manville will seek to break a five-year string of 1-9 seasons as it looks for its second victory of 2016 when it visits Dayton (0-2) this Friday night.
The Hunterdon Central defense has quietly gotten off to a pretty good start, despite an 0-2 record. The Red Devils have allowed just three touchdowns to opposing offenses through two weeks, but Central has surrendered kickoff returns in each of its first two contests that proved to be back-breakers. On the flip side, while the Red Devils offense has only reached the end zone twice in two games, they’ve gotten 99 and 90-yard kickoff returns for scores, respectively, from senior David Scheier to keep them close.
New Providence’s 37-16 loss to Hillside on Saturday strapped the Pioneers with their first 0-2 start since 2005. The good news for New Providence is it finished 7-4 that season, winning seven straight before dropping its final two contests.
Simeon Pincus:SPincus@gannettnj.com. Follow him on Twitter @SimeonPincus and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SimeonPincusCN
Mid-State 38 Week 2 scoreboard
Friday
A.L. Johnson 43, Bernards 14
Bound Brook 48, South Hunterdon 13
Belvidere 27, Brearley 0
Bridgewater-Raritan 30, Hillsborough 10
Cranford 35, Voorhees 0
Elizabeth 27, Watchung Hills 8
Manville 34, Pingry 13
Montgomery 22, Franklin 21
North Hunterdon 38, Warren Hills 20
Phillipsburg 17, Hunterdon Central 14
Roselle Park 32, Dayton 0
Somerville 55, North Plainfield 35
Saturday
Hillside 37, New Providence 16
Linden 38, Scotch Plains-Fanwood 7
Rahway 34, Governor Livingston 10
Roselle 45, Delaware Valley 6
Summit 30, Immaculata 6
Union 35, Plainfield 0
Westfield 35, Ridge 21
Mid-State 38 Week 3 schedule
Friday, Sept. 23
Belvidere at Roselle Park, 7 p.m.
Bridgewater-Raritan at Phillipsburg, 7 p.m.
Elizabeth at Union, 7 p.m.
Governor Livingston at North Plainfield, 7 p.m.
Hillside at Bernards, 7 p.m.
Hunterdon Central at Montgomery, 7 p.m.
Manville at Dayton, 7 p.m.
New Providence at Delaware Valley, 7 p.m.
North Hunterdon at Watchung Hills, 7 p.m.
Ridge at Linden, 7 p.m.
Scotch Plains-Fanwood at Immaculata, 7 p.m.
Somerville at Voorhees, 7 p.m.
South Hunterdon at Brearley, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 24
A.L. Johnson at Roselle 12 p.m.
Cranford at Rahway, 1 p.m.
Franklin at Westfield, 1 p.m.
Hillsborough at Plainfield, 1 p.m.
Warren Hills at Summit, 1 p.m.
Courier News Football Top 10
1. Westfield 2-0
2. Piscataway 2-0
3. Bridgewater-Raritan 2-0
4. Ridge 1-1
5. Immaculata 1-1
6. Hillsborough 1-1
7. Somerville 2-0
8. North Hunterdon 1-1
9. Montgomery 1-1
10. South Plainfield 2-0
