Volume CXXXIII, Number 1 September 12, 2003 f

Touchdown dreams: Football gears up
BOBBY DESAULNIERS
STAFF WRITER

Those of you who have been around the Bowdoin Football Team for the past few years know that this season will be a special one. Those of you who lined the end zone at Severens Field in Waterville know that this season will be a special one.

Bowdoin's varsity football team stretches before practice. (Hans Law, Bowdoin Orient)

Those of you that have risen above some of the published public dissent and still came out on Saturday afternoons and got behind the squad know that this season will be special one. Especially those who have fought in the trenches of Whittier know that this season will stand out in the record books.

The feeling at preseason has been that of overwhelming suspense. The Bears will open with a home game against 2002 league champions Williams College and the team can not wait to come out to turn some heads. The work that the Bears have put in throughout the off-season will no doubt show itself in the form of wins this season.

The holes that marred the team last year have been remedied with an incoming freshman class whose depth almost caused the coaching staff to make cuts to preserve the 75-man roster. One such area that hurt the Bears last season was the defensive backfield. Due to injuries throughout most of the season and other problems, the squad fielded two freshman in starting roles.

Although preseason injuries have drastically kept the numbers in the defensive backfield down, the players that will be seen on Saturday afternoons are a year stronger and wiser. The unit will be lead by junior cornerback Andrew Parsons, who missed most of last season. Anchored on the other side by sophomore Mike Minogue, the Bears' ability to cover the flanks has improved since last year. Others in the mix will be sophomores Ahran Cohen and Steve Curwin, who will be fielding the safety spots.

A strength that returns this season is the defensive front. A solid core of inside linebackers led by senior Jeb Boudreau will once again tie up the inside. The speed and strength of the defensive line have improved as well. Defensive lineman Jarrett Young '03 and Mike Stratton '05 will be stalwarts on the inside as well.

A key move that the coaching staff has made this season is moving four-year starter Chris Wagner '04 from interior line to a defensive end position. Anchored on the other side by seniors Brandon Casten and Mike Costello, the overall speed and strength of these players will be important in containing the outside rushing yards that hurt the Bears last year, noticeably in games against Bates and Amherst. Other players to watch are outside linebackers Bryan Duggan '05 and Mike Vitousek '07. The return of 2002 sack leader Jeff Pike '04.

Another strong point that will carry the Bears this season is their veteran offensive line with four out of five linemen returning on the squad. This includes second team all-NESCAC tackle Greg Berry '05. The other bookend will be junior Chris Zerilli, who was primarily used as a utility lineman last season. Inside, the guards will be Shaun Gagnon '05 and Jim Weeks '04; a pair of players that effectively cleared the middle last season and can also be used for their speed to pull and attack the flanks. Team captain Bobby Desaulniers will return at center to complete the line.

The receiving core of the Bears is also an area where another year in the weight room has helped dramatically. Tight ends Mark Drauschke '04 and sophomore Jared Pritchard will provide effective run blocking on the ends and also pose a threat downfield for opposing defensive backs. Injuries on the offensive line, however, could place Drauschke at tackle, in which case sophomore former defensive end Mike Hickey could see some minutes at the tight end slot.

An array of quick playmakers will play in the wide-out slots this season. Starter Brian Durant '05, who showed bright spots in the offensively dismal game against Tufts last year, will head the core. Senior Drew Loucks and sophomore Scott Brisson both have the speed and quickness to challenge teams with the deep ball. The 2003 personnel will spread out defense, hence opening up the passing attack and, reciprocally, assist the running game.

The Bears may boast one of the most impressive running back units in the NESCAC. Returning starting tailback Rob Patchett '05 will take most of the carries. His efforts will be complimented with the power of goal line specialist Matt Boyd '06 and former outside linebacker Jesse Demers '05.

Power inside will not be an issue for the running back unit as 2002 starter Chris Stratton returns. His ability to clear out linebackers and defenders on the flank will open holes wide for Patchett and the other backs. Sophomore Pat Lyons, who runs with power, has stepped in to back up Stratton.

Approaching this season, the quarterback position was a huge question mark. None of the remaining QBs on the squad have ever been battle tested, with the exception of junior Tom McMahon who played some snaps last year against Tufts. Entering preseason, there was a battle for the position. Along with McMahon, junior Mike Ferrante and sophomore Ricky LeClerc all fought for the spot. All three looked impressive in preseason, but injury took LeClerc as he went down with a broken foot in the intersquad scrimmage last Saturday. This weekend's scrimmage at Middlebury will undoubtedly distinguish a starter, but, at this point it is tough to call who will start against Williams in the season opener.

Overall, expectations for the season are high. The team knows that the depth it has gained coming into this year will help them compete at positions and also effectively fill in for injuries. Their strengths from last season, both the defensive and offensive lines, are a year stronger and smarter. The improvements in the offensive backfield will spread open the offense so the Bears will be able to use their speed to create big plays and higher scores.

There is an unmistakable eerie feeling at the practices thus far. It is a feeling that can only be described as a confidence that the team has not carried in the past few years. This coupled with a burning desire to build on the improvements shown at the end of last season will bring success to the Bears this season. Before a big fight, Muhammad Ali stated, "The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the road long before I dance under those lights." The Bears have put in the work in the gym and on the road, and the team will dance victoriously under the lights this season.

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