Westfield's ball-hawking defense, including No. 4 Dave Jolicoeur, leads the NCAA Division III in interceptions with 19. File Photo By Tom Moriarty - www.mortssports.net
The Westfield State football team hosts Bridgewater State in a key New England Football Conference (NEFC) Bogan Division game on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Alumni Field. Kickoff for the Alumni Weekend game is 1:30 p.m.
WEB TV: The Bridgewater-Westfield game is being video streamed live on the internet at www.mascac.tv. Westfield’s final three regular season games can be viewed live on the internet. There is no fee to watch the game. Westfield State student Matt LaPan is providing the play-by-play.
THE RECORDS: Westfield is 4-3 overall and 2-2 in the Bogan Division following its second straight victory, a 21-2 decision at Framingham last Saturday. Bridgewater boosted is record to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the Bogan Divison with a 27-6 victory at Coast Guard. The Bears were upset at Fitchburg, 25-21, on Oct. 3.
THE SERIES: Bridgewater State has dominated the all-time series, defeating Westfield 21 times in 27 games. The Bears won 12 straight from 1989-2000. Westfield has won four of the past eight games.
WEEKLY AWARDS: Westfield sophomore quarterback Kyle Anderson and senior defensive end Nick Gniadek were named to the NEFC weekly honor roll. Anderson compiled 192 yards in total offense with 63 rushing and 129 passing, including a 54-yard TD pass for the game-winning score. Gniadek led a stifling Westfield defense vs. Framingham with 11 tackles, including 7 solos stops and two sacks. Bridgewater State senior quarterback Steve Clark was also named to the weekly honor roll. He rushed for 126 yards, including a 33-yard TD run, and completed 8 of 10 passes for 97 yards.
NATIONAL LEADERS: Westfield is ranked in the top 5 nationally in the NCAA Division III in the following categories: interceptions (1st with 19 picks in seven games), pass efficiency defense (1st), scoring defense (5th), and turnover margin (5th). Senior cornerback Josh Mathieu is seventh nationally in interceptions (6 in 7 games) and Luke Johnson is 20th in rushing (118.6). For Bridgewater State, the Bears are ranked fourth in rushing offense (320.57) and Justin Fuller is ranked fifth in rushing (151.43) and 10th in scoring (12.0).
SCOUTING BRIDGEWATER: The explosive Bear attack ranks second in the 16-team NEFC in rushing offense and total offense (396.0) and third in scoring (30.86). Bridgewater also has a solid defense, ranking third in the NEFC in scoring defense (18.14), and fourth in both rushing and total defense. Fuller leads Bridgewater’s dangerous option attack with 1,060 yards rushing on 157 carries. Quarterback Steven Clark has 775 yards rushing on 115 carries, while Jeff Creeden has rushed for 373 yards. Clark averages just over 10 passing attempts per game; he is 31-for-72 for 445 passing yards and five touchdowns. The leading receiver is Jesse Teixeira (17 catches, 312 yards, 5 touchdowns). Defensive standouts include linebackers John Ferbert (61 tackles, 3 fumble recoveries), Jason Flannery (48 tackles, 8 tackles for losses), and Casey Florence (46 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries).
SCOUTING WESTFIELD: The Owls rank first in the 16-team NEFC in total defense (288.43) and scoring defense, allowing only 64 points in seven games. Opponents have only completed 37 percent of their passing attempts. Anchoring the senior-dominated defense up front are linemen Nick Gniadek, Adrian Lafayette, Jon Palmer and Matt Fall. Palmer and Fall rank fourth and fifth, respectively, with 35 and 34 tackles. Gniadek has 33 tackles, including team highs of 10 tackles for losses and four sacks. Senior linebacker Chris James has a team-high 61 tackles and three fumble recoveries, while senior linebacker Matt Denman ranks second with 45 tackles, eight for losses, and three sacks. Senior Nick Leverone has 34 tackles and four pass breakups, while Josh Mathieu has team highs of six interceptions and eight pass breakups. Sophomore Luke Johnson has rushed for 830 net yards on 176 carries, an average of 4.7 yards per carry. Sophomore quarterback Kyle Anderson has rushed for 323 net yards; he has completed 62 of 148 passes fro 857 yards and six touchdowns. The leading receivers are David Benoit (31 catches, 480 yards) and Evan Berneche (20-257). Punter Chris Stengel ranks first in the NEFC in punting (39.31).
LOOKING AHEAD: Westfield hosts Fitchburg in its final regular season home game on Saturday, Oct. 31. Note that kickoff for the Senior Day game is 12:00 p.m. Westfield’s final regular season game is Saturday, Nov. 7, at Worcester State at 12:00. Bridgewater hosts Worcester State Oct. 31 then travels to Buzzards Bay for the annual Cranberry Bowl game Nov. 7.