Sports Roundup
By KEN HAMWEY,
Bulletin Sports Writer
Resilient BHS Eleven Wins TVL Small Division Title
Bellingham High’s football team seems like it had fun overcoming major challenges during the 2024 season.
Two years ago, the Blackhawks started their season 0-3 but rolled over all its Tri Valley League Small Division foes to win the conference championship. Last year was almost a carbon copy of what the 2023 contingent achieved.
The 2024 squad started 1-3 with its only victory coming against Blackstone-Millville Regional. Losses to Ashland, Westwood and Dedham followed, but the Blackhawks never quit. They went into domination mode, finishing their season with seven straight triumphs. Those games included wins over Medway, Millis, Dover-Sherborn and Millis (all-division foes).
Unable to land a playoff berth in Division 6, BHS then downed Apponequet and Pembroke before subduing Norton, 26-7 on Thanksgiving to clinch its second straight TVL title and their third in the last four years.
The 2024 Blackhawks limited their five small division opponents to a mere 5.6 points per game and finished their season at 8-3.
“After three straight losses, my son Chris (defensive coordinator) told the team we weren’t going to lose another game,’’ head coach Dan Haddad noted. “The captains bought into his philosophy, and everything changed. The players responded, practices became more energetic, and competition was created. And, our coaches never turned on each other. There was no finger-pointing.’’
Haddad also held himself accountable. “I told the kids I had to be better,’’ he said. “I also said that they could do something special. The seniors weren’t going out with a losing record, and everyone knew that on any given day any team in the TVL can win.’’
Another plus was the injury list — it got lighter. Captain Mason Jacques (wide receiver) returned after missing four games because of a shoulder injury. Quarterback Zach Berkley also returned after missing two games because of a concussion, and cornerback Michael Demers bounced back after a knee injury forced him out for a game. Running back Colin Piccirelli, however, injured his back and was ruled out for the year.
Bellingham will be moving up to Division 5 next year, but Haddad isn’t worried. “We were ranked No. 18 in Division 6 but if we were in Division 5 last fall, we would have been ranked No. 7,’’ he said. “When we started to win, the teams in front of us kept winning. We lost out on a playoff berth by two places (16 teams qualify). I never thought that we’d win the league and not be in the playoffs.’’
If Norton had beaten Bellingham on Thanksgiving, the TVL Small Division would have ended in a three-way tie with Norton and Medway joining BHS.
Winning two straight TVL division titles after poor starts speaks volumes about intensity, character and mental toughness. Those are the attributes that Haddad says mattered, especially after starting the 2023 and 2034 seasons at 0-3 and 1-3, respectively.
BHS grid teams seem to enjoy and embrace Herculean tasks.
Simpson Stars for Westfield Eleven
Former BHS grid star Blake Simpson knows what it’s like to win a TVL Small Division title. He and his teammates rolled to their crown by thoroughly dominating opponents during their COVID-shortened season of 2020.
The Blackhawks finished that campaign at 5-0 during the spring, but, because of the pandemic they were unable to compete for a chance to play in the Super Bowl.
Simpson was a dynamic running back on that team and he also played linebacker, a position that led to his starring for Westfield State last fall. A senior, Simpson led the Owls with 52 tackles (10 of them for losses) and he had 1½ sacks.
During a loss to Anna Maria College in Westfield’s opening game, the 6-foot, 210-pounder had nine tackles (two of losses) and one sack. That effort earned him not only a berth on the MASCAC (Mass. Scholastic Collegiate Athletic Conference) weekly honor-roll, but also gave him Westfield’s Defensive Player of the Week Award.
“I was very pleased with those honors,’’ Simpson said. “I played sparingly at running back early on but was moved to linebacker after I suggested that idea to head coach Peter Kowalski. Playing linebacker in high school helped me to adjust quickly. I was familiar with the read-and-react nature of the position and relied on strength, being instinctive and quick.’’
Chris Ehorn, the Owls’ linebacker coach and defensive coordinator, previously coached at Western New England. Arriving at Westfield last fall, he said that Simpson excelled immediately at outside linebacker and made his transition go smoothly.
“Blake could have played both ways,’’ Ehorn emphasized. “He took advantage of the college’s strength and conditioning program. He’s a hard-worker and a great student who practiced the way you need your best player to practice. A team-first competitor, he did what was asked and I never worried about his side of the field. Blake will be tough to replace.’’
At BHS, Simpson’s five-game stats at halfback were stunning. He carried the ball 75 times and never fumbled, gained 565 yards and averaged 7.5 yards per carry. He scored eight touchdowns and had 12 two-point conversions for 72 points. Those numbers earned him the team’s Offensive Player of the Year Award.
“Blake dared opposing players to tackle him,’’ BHS coach Dan Haddad said. “A coach’s dream, he worked hard and always gave his best — 100 percent. Blake was an iron man, so tough that you never had to worry about him. He was reliable and dependable, and I have my running backs watching film of him.’’
Simpson said his favorite college game was a 13-10 victory over Mass. Maritime. “I had eight tackles (two for losses) but winning was more important,’’ he said. “Everyone played a perfect game.’’ The Owls finished last season at 4-6 (4-5 in the conference).
“I was happy to see BHS win another TVL championship,’’ said Simpson. “The players and the coaches deserve lots of credit.’’
Simpson already has his future lined up. After he graduates from Westfield State, he will work for AAF CPAs as a staff accountant in Westboro.
BHS Cheerleaders Finish 6th At States
The BHS cheerleading team finished third at the regional meet and sixth in the Division 4 State Championship.
“We had an amazing performance at regionals,’’ coach Tracey Elliott said. “But, at the states, some aspects of our routine were fantastic and on other parts the girls did not execute. Mistakes can be costly when you have only two minutes and 30 seconds and one opportunity.’’
Elliott said her squad is very determined to work harder for the winter season and is pushing forward. “I’m a firm believer that when you ask for strength, God doesn’t just give you that,’’ she emphasized. “He sends you challenges to make you stronger. This is one of those times and I know our team will come back stronger.’’
BHS previously had third-place finishes at both the Tri Valley League and the Regional meets. Rockland High won the regionals and became fall state champions. “Led by coach Janine Reardon, Rockland was absolutely amazing,’’ Elliott said.
Smith, Dormady Shine at State Meet
Senior Emma Smith finished 25th and sophomore Jenna Dormady took 33rd place at
the Division 3 State Cross-country Championships at Fort Devens.
Smith’s time was 20 minutes, 58 seconds while Dormady was clocked at 21:16 for the 5K course. In a field of 175 runners, Cameron Davis of Oxford High took first-place honors in a time of 18:20.
Dormady and Smith, who were named to the Tri Valley League all-star team, qualified for the states after finishing 14th and 20th, respectively, at the Division 3A Cross-country Championships at the Wrentham Development Center.
“Jenna and Emma worked hard and competed intensely all season,’’ said coach TJ Chiappone. “They had a great day at the state meet.’’
