Bridgewater College Eagles (0-0, 0-0 ODAC) vs. Gettysburg College Bullets (0-0, 0-0 Centennial)
Football is back at the Jopson Athletic Complex, as the Eagles open up 2015 at home under the lights against Gettysburg.
When: Friday, September 4
Where: Jopson Field
Start Time: 7:00 p.m.
Gameday Media:
Live Stats: http://bridgewatereagles.com/sports/fball/2015-16/boxscores/20150904_euy9.xml
Live Video: https://www.boxcast.com/show/#/football-vs-gettysburg-2
Full Game Notes
Bridgewater Roster
2014 Bridgewater Stats
Gettysburg Roster
2014 Gettysburg Stats
PREVIOUS MEETING:
Quarterback Matthew Pisarcik hit wide receiver Jayme Perry on a 16-yard pattern to hand the Eagles the lead and the defense held Gettysburg off of the scoreboard when it mattered as Bridgewater College earned a 33-32 victory over the Bullets to open 2014.
After the score, the Bullets moved into Bridgewater territory but Zach Miller's fourth-down pass fell incomplete as time expired as the Eagles held off Gettysburg in thrilling fashion in the opener. Pisarcik led the way behind center with a 19-for-30 effort for 202 yards and three scores. Cliff Woodard hauled in five passes for a game-high 135 yards and one score.
SERIES:
Last year was the first-ever meeting between two teams who began play in the 19th century. Bridgewater is looking to extend its 1-0 advantage in the series this weekend.
HEAD COACHES:
Friday will also feature the all-time winningest coaches of these two long-time programs. Both were also the first to coach their respective schools into the NCAA Division III tournament. Barry Streeter, currently the longest-tenured active coach in Division III, holds a career mark of 183-176-5 in 36 seasons. Mike Clark, in charge at Bridgewater since 1995, holds a career record of 139-79-1. The pair have also combined for three final four appearances (two for Clark, one for Streeter).
BRIDGEWATER OFFENSE:
Bridgewater is led by two seniors playing the same position, as quarterbacks Pisarcik and Ross Rushing are expected to split time evenly for a second straight year. Coach Clark believes both are capable of winning a conference championship as the Eagles head into the year. Center Sean Douglass, another senior, is a two-time All-State choice and will lead a strong offensive line that hopes to make life easy for an unproven ground game. Topping a fluid running back depth chart in week one however is fifth-year senior Kevon White, a former All-Conference runner under Eagles offensive coordinator J.D. Shaw in a previous stint at Averett.
BRIDGEWATER DEFENSE:
Bridgewater brings back an experienced defensive line to the Eagles' 4-2-5 base set, including Nicholas Cawthon (33 tackles, 1 sack, 7.5 tackles for loss), Logan Whitaker (41 tackles, 5 sacks, 11 TFLs), JP Utz (4.5 sacks, 7 TFLs in 2013), Joe Cellini and Don Mills Jr. Davey Hardesty moves alongside All-ODAC selection Nicholas Anthony, into the starting linebacker spot vacated by Alex Collins.
NEW DEFENSIVE STAFF:
The Eagles have replaced nearly their entire defensive staff heading into the year, but some past connections do bring familiarity and continuity to the group.
New defensive coordinator Del Smith was previously an assistant coach at BC in 2011 before taking the head coaching job at Bishop O'Connell High School in Arlington, Va. Harrison Bernstein, one of Smith's assistants at Bishop O'Connell and a former strength and conditioning assistant with the Washington Redskins, is here as safeties coach. University of Virginia grad Keenan Carter has also recently been hired to coach the defensive line. Of course the defense also features the longest-tenured assistant coach on staff, with Peter Raeford returning for a 13th year directing the cornerbacks.
BRIDGEWATER SPECIAL TEAMS:
Despite graduating two All-American kick returners last year (2014 D3football.com selection Jordan Hartman and fifth-year senior Woodard, a 2011 BSN 2nd Team honoree), Bridgewater still features an experienced special teams unit overall. Three seniors lead the kicking game- former Lindy's Preseason All-American Chandler DeHaven at placekicker, John Griggs on kickoffs, and Tyler Dawson at punter. Senior Collin Delauter has also gained a reputation as one of the best long snappers in the region, with the Eagles having just one kick blocked in 2014.
GETTYSBURG OFFENSE:
The Bullets run a Spread Wing offense that Coach Clark describes as a "spread zone-read, fast break offense." Senior quarterback Sam McDermott is the starter for the first full season, but has seen limited action in each of the past three years. Gettysburg uses wingbacks as part of their main sets, a group that includes senior Travis Andrews (176 rushing yards, 175 receiving yards in 2014).
GETTYSBURG DEFENSE:
Gettysburg allowed 26.8 points and 366.3 yards per game last season, both middle of the pack in the Centennial. Linebackers Kodie McNamara (87 tackles) and Chris Miller (10.5 TFLs, 4 INT) lead the way on this side of the ball.
GETTYSBURG SPECIAL TEAMS:
The Bullets bring an inexperienced specialists group after graduating their starting kicker and top two returners. Former All-Centennial punter Robbie Fay will handle kicking duties as well this season.
EAGLES SENIORS "USING THEIR HEADS":
Two of Bridgewater's seniors, Pisarcik and Douglass, recently completed impressive and challenging summer internships. Douglass worked as a systems engineer intern, using rockets to clear inactive satellites from outer space. Pisarcik participated in stem cell research as part of his summer internship, and also took the MCATs.
Both Pisarcik and Douglass were CoSIDA Academic All-District selections last year (Douglass' second straight selection to that team). Look for a story on the two coming soon on BridgewaterEagles.com, but first check out a recent feature from the Daily News-Record's Nick Sunderland.
ODAC PRESEASON POLL:
Following a four-team tie for first place in 2014, it was little surprise to see a crowded group near the top of the 2015 ODAC preseason coaches poll. Bridgewater, Hampden-Sydney and Emory & Henry all tied for second, with Guilford and quarterback Matt Pawlowski (38 TDs, 3 INTs) emerging as the favorite. The Eagles will face the preseason favorite Quakers on Homecoming (October 17), while BC's Halloween trip to Hampden-Sydney was listed by D3football.com as one of the region's top matchups this season.
RADIO/VIDEO STREAMING:
A reminder that with the recent changes in station ownership in the local area (including the sale of WBOP 95.5), Bridgewater College Athletics has elected not to continue with radio broadcasts in 2015-16.
Bridgewater will continue to provide video streaming of all home events, free in standard definition with the option to purchase an HD feed. The Eagles are also excited to announce that Bill Phipps will continue to handle play-by-play for football and basketball games in 2015-16. For the Eagles' final four away games (Shenandoah, Emory & Henry, Washington & Lee, Hampden-Sydney), Bridgewater will also provide an audio feed online through Teamline. BC fans will have the option of listening to Bill Phipps' commentary or viewing the home video streaming broadcast.
