Three Goals in The BHS Football Team’s To-do List

By KEN HAMWEY,
Bulletin Sports Writer

Dan Haddad’s goals for Bellingham High’s football team this season are very basic. 

“We want to be better than last year’s 6-5 record, we want to contend for the Tri Valley League Small Division championship, and we want to qualify for the playoffs,’’ he noted.

Now in his eighth year at the Blackhawks’ helm, the 60-year-old coach, who’s guided BHS to five tourney berths in seven seasons, firmly believes his three objectives can be achieved. “Our goals are reachable,’’ he said, “but it’s going to take a total team commitment. We’ll be as good as we are together, and we’ll need to be able to overcome adversity.’’

The Blackhawks, who finished second last year in the Small Division, then lost to Lynnfield in the playoffs, have 13 veteran returnees with varying degrees of experience. The team’s overall strengths include some key attributes that provide optimism for Haddad.

“We’ve got a high football IQ, we’re very athletic and our technique is strong,’’ he emphasized. “We’re developing mental toughness to go with our speed and quickness. Our wide receiving corps should make us a definite threat.’’

The five captains, all quality leaders, include seniors Connor Kelley (tight end/linebacker), Donovan Turner (center/defensive end), and Sean Dutremble (guard/defensive tackle), and juniors Mason Jacques (receiver/cornerback), and Ryan Cochrane (receiver/cornerback).

“The captains lead by example, they communicate, and they’re a cohesive group,’’ Haddad said. “Connor is a strong presence who’s respected by his teammates. Donovan is Mr. Everything, the best pure athlete on the team. Sean is a major force in the weight room, a good blocker and strong defender.

“Mason is energetic, a hard worker who’s got great hands. He’s started on offense and defense as a sophomore. Ryan is a superb competitor whose work ethic is solid.’’

The receiving contingent includes Kelley, juniors John Doucette, Jacques, and Cochrane, and sophomores Sam Sullivan and Wyatt Callery. “They’re smart, they lead, and they’ve got great hands and run sharp routes,’’ Haddad offered.

The running backs are senior Corey Perkins, junior Gabe Egan, and sophomore Josh Bouchard. “Our backfield features power runners with sneaky speed,’’ Haddad said. “And, they’re fundamentally sound.’’

The quarterbacks include junior Zach Berkeley, senior Dasha Domercant and freshman Cam MacGregor. “Zach is a dependable game manager,’’ Haddad said. “A great athlete, he can run and pass. Dasha is a complete player who’s smart and works hard. Cam is an up-and-coming threat at quarterback.’’

Seven offensive linemen provide depth, and they include Turner, Dutremble, seniors Connor Prentice (tackle) and Isaiah Tobin (guard), junior Hunter Knox (center/guard), sophomore Markus Whittaker-Sprah (guard), and freshman Jacoby McCarthy (tackle).

“They’re athletic, diligent, and work hard on their technique,’’ said Haddad, who played football at Natick High. “They’re all effective on run and pass plays.’’

On defense, the line will be comprised of Dutremble, Prentice and McCarthy at tackle. The ends will be Turner and senior Robert Black. “It’s a solid group,’’ Haddad offered. “They’re athletic, and they’ll apply pressure. Sound on basics, they’re weight room junkies.’’

The inside linebackers include Kelley, Callery and Whittaker-Sprah. Bouchard and Egan will handle the outside chores. “This group consists of quality tacklers with excellent lateral pursuit,’’ Haddad noted. “They’re athletic, and their field vision is excellent.’’

The secondary duties will go to Doucette, Jacques, Cochrane, Berkeley, and Sullivan. “They’ve got really good instincts,’’ Haddad said. “They’ve also got speed and quickness, athleticism, and a terrific work ethic.’’

Haddad rates defending champion Dover-Sherborn and Dedham as strong contenders to battle for the Small Division crown. “D-S is tough, and they rely on tradition,’’ he said. “Dedham is a senior-laden team that’s well-coached. We’ll be in the mix, too.’’

For the first time in the program’s history, there will be a middle school squad composed of seventh and eighth graders. The players will be coached by John Pendlebury, who has worked as an assistant track coach at the high school. He also has youth football experience.  

The Blackhawks will open their season on the road at Blackstone-Millville on Saturday, Sept. 9, then return home to face Westwood at Anderson Field on Thursday, Sept. 14. The rest of the schedule is: Sept. 22 vs. Medfield; Sept. 29 at Ashland; Oct. 6 at Dedham; Oct. 12 at Medway; Oct. 20 vs. Millis; Oct. 27 vs. Dover-Sherborn; and Nov. 23 vs. Norton. Two playoff games will kick off November (dates and opponents to be determined).