Owls Host Bears in first MASCAC Matchup

Westfield State football hosts Bridgewater State University in both team's first Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference game of the 2024 season on Saturday at 2 p.m.

The Owls started the season 0-1 as they suffered an opening night loss to the AmCats of Anna Maria College on Friday at Alumni Field. Westfield started off slow in the first half but picked up momentum in the second half. On the second drive of the second half for the Owls, the five-play, 44-yard drive resulted in the first Westfield touchdown of the season off a Dylan Disabella receiving touchdown. The Owls scored their second touchdown of the evening late in the fourth quarter from a pass from Ryan Scott to Curtis Dion to end the Westfield scoring for the night.

Bridgewater is also 0-1 this season as they fell to the hands of the MIT Engineers in a 37-17 loss on Saturday in Bridgewater.

LAST YEAR: The Owls turned the ball over five times in a 21-0 loss to Bridgewater last year in a game that was played in blustery and rainy conditions. Westfield led in all offensive categories for this game last year except points. The Owls found themselves with more first downs, more passing and rushing yards, and over doubled Bridgewater's time of possession.

WESTFIELD STATE ON OFFENSE: The Owls had 316 yards of total offense in the first week of Coach Lou Conte, Jr.'s new scheme of triple-option offense. 154 of those yards were through the run game, which was headlined by junior RB Sean Willis who carried the ball 22 times for a total of 88 yards.  Westfield's passing game was successful as two touchdowns were scored and saw a total of 162 passing yards. Senior QB Gabe Fernandez threw nine completions for 116 yards and a house call to RB Disabella. Fernandez finished sixth last season in yards per game and will look to continue his success in this new offense.  The Owls' also saw action from their junior signal caller, Ryan Scott. Scott completed two passes on four attempts for 46 yards and a touchdown pass to Curtis Dion.

WESTFIELD STATE ON DEFENSE: The Westfield defense forced two interceptions from Anna Maria, as FS Tafari Proctor who returned one for 18 yards and freshman DB Andrew Lovell scampered 26 yards on the other. Senior LB Blake Simpson led the Owls with nine total tackles on Friday, and the only sack for Westfield. Simpson is tied for fourth in sacks along with tied for fifth in tackles per game in all of the MASCAC conference.

WESTFIELD STATE ON SPECIAL TEAMS: Last year's all conference Kicker Cooper Harvey made his return last Friday night. Westfield struggled to get the snap and hold down on several occasion, with Harvey converting his lone extra point try. P Andrew Currier punted three times for 81 total yards including his longest of 35 yards.

The Owls had four different players return kickoffs, headlined by Logan Gallagher with two returns for 33 yards and a long return of 19 yards.

BRIDGEWATER ON OFFENSE: The Bears offense was held to under 200 total yards in their 37-17 loss to MIT. Bridgewater lost their all-time leading passer, James Cahoon, to graduation last spring and now look to senior quarterback, SP Pragano to step up. Pragano completed seven passes for 54 yards and a touchdown.  Bridgewater had the run game going as they rushed for 118 yards against the Engineers as senior Trevor Nunes led the charge for the Bears with 20 rushes for 63 yards and a touchdown. Nunes also led the receiving room in yards with one 23-yard reception. Jack McCarthy also saw one catch for two yards that resulted in Bridgewater's second touchdown of the afternoon.

BRIDGEWATER ON DEFENSE: The Bears were led by nine tackles for loss and two sacks from Victor Martinez and Brandon Medeiros. Bridgewater also forced a MIT fumble in the third quarter that directly resulted in a Bears touchdown. Bridgewater is returning senior LB Zachary Souza who was second on the team last fall in tackles per game along with total tackles. Souza also led the team in interceptions last season with four. Junior DL Mark DeGirolamo was second in tackles for loss and third in sacks on the team last season.

BRIDGEWATER ON SPECIAL TEAMS: Junior Kicker Joey Naso returns for the Bears this fall as he made two point after attempts and a field goal attempt that accounted for five of Bridgewater's 17 points against MIT. Shane Drake also had a busy day for the Bears as the punter had to kick the ball away six times for a total of 245 yards and a long of 54 yards. Drake is also the kickoff specialist for Bridgewater and kicked off four times for an average of 51.5 yards. The Bears had four different kick returners, topped by Josh Registre, who returned the ball twice for 31 yards and 17 being his longest return.

NEXT WEEK: Westfield will be home for a third straight week next Saturday, September 21 with a 2:00 p.m. kickoff against another MASCAC opponent in WestConn.  Bridgewater State will head to Plymouth State Saturday, September 21 for a noon kickoff in yet another MASCAC matchup for the Bears.