Sports Talk

Friday, August 27, 2010

Submitted photo Members of the Bedford Biddy Basketball summer championship team include, from left: Nick Dreyer, Jeff Glazner, Brandon Clark, Steve Masterson, Sam Daly, Max Hendrickx, Mike Marinelli, and Chad Becker. Missing from the photo are Matt Dillon and Travis Weber.

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FOOTBALL

Bedford Jaguars

Bedford Jaguar Varsity Football team put up a great fight against Pelham Windham Razorback but lost 14-6. Jack Hanaway and Alex Astarita quarterbacked the offense that chewed up almost an entire quarter, behind some great running from Michael Carluccio, Michael Vailas, Mac Turgeon, Jacob Laughlin and Cole Curcio. Michael Vailas scored the Bedford Jaguars’ lone touchdown. Nicholas Dunn, Patrick Ell, Eric Glassman, Thomas O’Rouke, Shane Mahoney, Chris Josef and Sam Heald opened up some large holes to control the ball.

A very stingy defense gave up only eight points in the game. The defense was led by Mac Turgeon, Sam Heald, Thomas O’Rouke, Michael Carluccio, Ray Etzo, Alex Astarita and Jack Hanaway. Jack Hanaway and Michael Astarita both had interceptions.

For the JV Haguars, Jacob Laughlin scored the lone touchdown on a 60-yard sweep behind great blocking by Jace Belanger, Matt Houston, Hoaglund and Mahoney. Andy Pallis, PJ Garron, Ray Etzo and Cole Curcio also ran well. Thomas O’Rouke caught a nice pass from Michael Landman for a critical first down.

Defensively, P.J. Garron, Jace Belanger, Matt Houston, Ray Etzo, Cole Curcio, Scott Jackson and Mike Landman played a solid overall game.

The Bedford 5th-6th grade Jaguars were in a hard fought contest with the Pelham Razorbacks, but came up short in a 13-0 loss.

In the first half all three offenses were able to move the ball down field, but weren’t able to punch the ball in for a score. The Gold line of J. Falvey, D. Guimont, A.J. Mazzella, B. Jackson, Z. Lander, J. Newman and J.D. Irons played above expectations. The defense was also strong and was able to hold the Razorbacks scoreless with the half ending 0-0.

The second half did not start well for the Jags. Jag penalties during the opening drive gave the Razorbacks good field position and to its credit Pelham was able to take advantage and score for a 7-0 lead. The Jags were not able to recover from this setback. Pelham put the game away with a late fourth-quarter score.

The fourth grade Bedford Jaguars opened the season at home against the reigning state champion Pelham/Windham Razorbacks, and despite a gritty effort fell 31-0.

After opening the game with a series of tough defensive stops, the Razorbacks were able to capitalize on a broken play for a long TD run. The Jaguars quickly responded with an 80-yard drive, capped off by a long Ryan Donahue run, but were ultimately unable to score and seize the momentum in the game.

The Jags hung in there with a great defensive effort from their Gold Defense but ultimately the more experienced Razorbacks proved too tough to handle.

The Jaguars look to rebound Sunday down in Nashua against the Elks.

SWIMMING

Ewing excels

Bedford’s Kelsey Ewing scored 19 points with server Performance Records in the New England LCM Open Swimming Championships at Harvard University July 30-Aug. 2. Kelsey competed in the 200- and 400-meter individual medley, 100-, 200-, and 400-meter free, 100-meter breaststroke and the 200-meter back. Her time of 2:11.07 in the 200-free placed her 13th. Kelsey also swam the 100-meter fly and 50-meter free.

Milan Sandhu set PRs in the 100-free and 200-meter IM. Bedford’s brother/sister combo of Matt and Kathleen Bolton had five PRs between them. Matt improved his times in the 200-IM and 200-free, while Kathleen’s best performances came in the 200-IM and 200-breastroke. Alana Westwater set PRs in the 50- and 100-free.

The Manchester Swim Team is a USS-registered team with New England Swimming Association and competed in USS meets throughout the Northeast and beyond. Practices and try-out dates for the fall season start in September at SNHU Pool. Swimmers interested in joining the team can contact Steve VanDerBeken at 623-4179. Or visit the team’s web site at www.manchesterswimteam.com.

JIMMY FUND WALK

Bedford residents ready

On September 12, 16 residents from Bedford will walk up to 26.2 miles along the historic route of the Boston Marathon in the 22nd annual Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk. They will be among the more than 8,000 walkers expected to participate with the collective goal of raising more than $6.5 million for lifesaving cancer research and care for adult and pediatric cancer patients at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund.

“We are grateful to the thousands of determined walkers who are committed to raising funds for cancer care and research,” says Ann Beach, director of the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk. “The money raised by the walkers directly benefits local patients as well as people around the world as top doctors and researchers utilize the successes achieved at Dana-Farber.”

Bedford residents include Michelle Burgess, Candy Cesario, Ron King, Karen McKinley, Whitney McKinley, Jeffrey McKinley, Kaitlin McKinley, Madison McKinley, Kaitlyn Moore, Joe Pepin, Mel Pepin, Ignacio Rivera, Declan Rourke, Tym Rourke, Susan Sandler and Matthew Sandler.

To register or make financial contributions for the Jimmy Fund Walk, visit www.JimmyFundWalk.org or call (866) JF-1-WALK.

SOCCER

Buddies neded

Bedford Soccer League conducts an adaptive soccer program for Bedford children with disabilities and special needs. To ensure each player’s success and safety, adaptive players are each assigned a “buddy” who provides on field guidance, support and encouragement. Buddies are needed for the upcoming fall soccer season. The only requirements for this important role are to be 10 years of age or older and to have an interest in working with some very special athletes.

All games and practices are held at the SAU Field on County Road on Mondays at 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 12:30 p.m. Each session lasts approximately 45 minutes with the first practice starting on Monday, Aug. 30.

Student volunteers will be eligible for community service credits.

Anyone interested in helping with this rewarding sports program, should contact volunteer coordinator Pam Macdonald at pmacdonald01@comcast.net or 471-0552.