For Immediate Release
September 2, 2011
Courtesy of the Boston Herald, Written by John Connolly
Bentley University will play four of it first five football games at home this season, beginning with tomorrow night's game against SUNY-Maritime.
Last year, because of scheduling quirks, the Falcons played just three times at home and still finished 5-4.
The Falcons return quarterback Bryant Johnson, the 2010 Northeast-10 Player of the Year, and added five Division 1 transfers, all of whom will be counted upon to plug some gaps owed to graduation losses. Both of those factors have served to cause a discernible bounce in the step of Bentley coach Thom Boerman these days.
"I think we'll be pretty experienced on offense," Boerman said. "Bryant Johnson was our league MVP and I was talking about him just the other day. His completion rate was 66 percent. He won the Gold Helmet (award) a couple of times and, more importantly, he's just a terrific kid. He'll make a huge difference for our offense. He runs it well."
The left-handed Johnson tossed 18 touchdowns in nine games last season. For his career, he has thrown for 5,055 yards and 40 touchdowns.
While Boerman would like to find more depth at wideout, Johnson will have a familiar target in Wade Critides, a three-year starter. Billy Kiley is solid and the 6-foot-4 Jeff Hill has been a pleasant surprise in preseason camp. Senior guard A.J. Riker (6-3, 290), another three-year starter, and his linemates will provide time for Johnson to find his receivers.
The defense is led by twins Steve Hopkins and Don Hopkins, a pair of homegrown safeties out of Waltham. Don Hopkins (6-1, 205 pounds) was Bentley's defensive MVP a year ago and was named to the All-NE-10 First Team after recording 61 tackles with six interceptions. He has been mentioned as a preseason All-America candidate.
"The Hopkins twins are just football players. Both have had great careers for us. We rely on them for their leadership," Boerman said. "We had to reload at linebacker, where we lost all four starters. That's where we hope (Brendan) McGovern and (Anthony) Carter to help out."
McGovern, the nephew of BC defensive coordinator Bill McGovern, is from Holy Cross, and will be slotted at middle linebacker. Marlboro High product Anthony Carter transferred from the University of San Diego. Catholic Memorial alum Donald Bland of West Roxbury could also see considerable playing time.
Another transfer, Mike Halligan, is switching to defensive back after playing quarterback at Rowan College.
"Transfers are always a crapshoot," Borerman acknowledged. "What you try and do is best integrate them into your program the best way you can.
The Falcons, who have six home games this season, face a tough chore climbing high in the challenging NE-10.
"I've been playing all these teams for 26 years and they've just gotten better and better," Boerman said. "New Haven didn't graduate anyone. They have the same team they've had for the last three years. Southern Connecticut is always a horse and right up there in the league standings. Merrimack is a physically dominant team. AIC has improved. It's a very competitive league."
