BEDFORD – Coach Dan Colburn looks down his Bedford High golf roster and sees just one senior.

That doesn’t mean these Bulldogs don’t know what time it is.

“There’s heat on us, for sure,” said sophomore C.J. LaDue, the Bedford No. 1.

The Bulldogs are the three-time defending State Division I Golf Champion. With one meet to play before the states on October 10 at Portsmouth Country Club, Bedford stands at a solid 13-3. Of course, the game changes – from 9 to 18 holes – when the states roll around.

“We’re the three-time defending champ. I’m hoping we can bring back a fourth,” said Colburn. “We lost 8 seniors, but we’re confident we can beat anyone.”

The players, buoyed by their success and experience gained on the fly, concur with the coach.

“We’re not as good as we have been in prior years. It’s not a given this year that we are going to win,” said LaDue. “It’s going to be a challenge if we all play well. There is definitely a chance for us to win.”

LaDue has been a rock all fall for the Dogs, despite spending his summer away from the golf course. Instead of picking up valuable tournament toughness, he was laid up, breaking his foot twice – first at a pool party on the final day of school last June and again on a trampoline later in the summer.

Seventh in the state as a freshman, LaDue is a rising star in the game, but he’s not alone.

Both Jon Giroux, a sophomore, and Stoughton Bell, a junior, have been remarkably consistent in the 2-3 spots, while Brady Burke heads up a talented corps of freshmen.

“Jon and Stoughton just strike the ball really well, and nothing phases them out there on the course,” said Colburn. “Brady’s got a very bright future, too.”