BY SAPNA PATHAK
It didn’t matter it was the first-ever game in program history. Not to Stuart Pepper, that is, who stood surrounded by Bedford High School’s boys soccer team and gave the same type of postgame speech he would have if the squad just lost the state title.
And not a single Bulldog objected.
“We need to be fit enough to play with varsity-level teams,” said Pepper after BHS’s season and boys soccer program opener on Friday, Aug. 24. “The players need to talk, sit and evaluate the things they did wrong and change what we’ve learned. It was our first experience playing varsity soccer … The tactical and technical ability will come, but we can’t do anything if we’re not fit enough … They each agreed.”
Leading the Bulldogs was sophomore sweeper Brian Comiskey, who played his freshman season at West High. Pepper looked to his sophomore captain to keep Bedford’s young roster focused as the Bulldogs, freshman and sophomores only, faced off against Milford’s 10 seniors and eight juniors.
“Facing bigger, stronger guys, that’s what we’re going to be seeing all year, I’m sure,” said Comiskey. “It’s a matter of fitness. If we’re in shape enough to keep up with teams who’ve been playing longer, then we should be fine.”
The Bulldogs traveled to face Class I Milford, with the Spartans taking control quickly, and easily, for the 8-0 win. The new Bedford High houses about 800 students, a Class I sports school.
Joining Comiskey on this year’s Bulldogs squad are players Kyle Basoukas, Dan Connelly, Matt Cote, Sam Ferenti, Brett Fischer, Jeff Gancarz, Mike Laflamme, Mike Martinelli, Brandon Marinkov, James O’ Brien, Lucas Olen, Will Pearson, James Schappler, Jeff Sifferman and Noah Wheeler.
After the shutout, Pepper took his team aside, sat them in a circle on the grass and addressed them for more than 20 minutes before watching the junior varsity game.
“We just weren’t used to playing to the pace and power of varsity soccer,” said Pepper. “I think they’re in the mindset that it doesn’t matter it’s our first year. Everyone has to have a first year. That doesn’t mean we can’t be successful despite going through the growing pains.”