Baldwin Bruins

BALDWIN

Bruins return to Conference I

By TONY BELLISSIMO

Last season couldn’t have been any different for Baldwin’s football program. It welcomed a new head coach for the fi rst time since the late 1980s and wasn’t a member of Nassau’s top conference for the fi rst time ever due to enrollment. Frank Chimienti, who took over the helm from Stephen Carroll, guided the Bruins to a 4-4 mark in Conference II but they missed the playoffs by the slimmest of power rating points. “We took care of business against teams ranked below us, but we were unable to beat a team seeded higher,” Chimienti said. “Overall, I thought it was a solid season. We had an outstanding group of seniors who gave everything they had.” Baldwin returns to its longtime home in Conference I this fall and opens against two-time defending county champion Massapequa. “Baldwin has always been in the top conference, so we’re not making a big deal about it,” Chimienti said. “Last year was a big deal since we weren’t in Conference I. “We have a ton of starters back and I was happy with the commitment during the offseason,” he added. “We had at least 30 kids in the weight room four days a week. If we’re not a playoff team this year it’s going to be highly disappointing.” Running back/safety Anthony Byron emerged as the Bruins’ biggest offensive weapon last season and built an All-County resume with over 700 yards rushing and 9 touchdowns while leading the defense in tackles. He’s bulked up going into his senior campaign from 140 to 165 pounds, Chimienti said, and is likely to lead the team in touches. “As good as he was last season, he took a pounding so he worked really hard to get stronger,” the coach said. “He’s athletic and powerful and we’re expecting more big things.” Kwasi Bonsu had a memorable junior year of high school, playing organized football for the fi rst time he earned All-Conference honors and then went on to become a county champion wrestler in the winter. Bonsu is a fullback/defensive lineman with size, skill and strength. “He’s a smart kid and an incredible athlete,” Chimienti said. Sophomore Vaughndrea Johnson is slated to be Baldwin’s starting quarterback. He’s a 6-foot-3, 175-pound three-sport athlete with good wheels and an improved arm. “He’s been at every workout and I can’t say enough about the kid,” Chimienti said. Serving as Johnson’s main targets are senior wideout Cedric Jean-Pierre, junior receivers Jadis Cheret and Caleb Wilson, and senior tight end Lincoln DaCosta. Jean-Pierre had a few breakout games last season and is also the team’s kicker and punter. Cheret is a nice-sized option at 6-2, and Wilson is the top newcomer on varsity following a strong JV season. DaCosta will chip in as a blocker and is also a starting linebacker. Up front, Chimienti said the Bruins have the luxury of increased depth on both sides of the ball. Senior Jason Rivera is ultra-physical and forms an experienced guard tandem with junior Jake Davidson, another third-year member of the varsity. Rivera also starts at linebacker. Junior Rodney Mills is an athletic right tackle with swift footwork, and on the left side will be junior Jack Pace, described by Chimienti as the roster’s most improved. Senior center Darien Ward has stepped up his game as well and brings leadership. The strength of the defense is in the trenches with Bonsu, Mills, Davidson, Pace and senior Jaden Brutus. In the secondary, Byron and junior Eugene Brown start at safety, with Jean-Pierre, Chenet, senior Dan Concepcion and junior Aubrey Moore all in the mix at corner.

was last season, he took a pounding so he worked really hard to get stronger,” the coach said. “He’s athletic and powerful and we’re expecting more big things.” Kwasi Bonsu had a memorable junior year of high school, playing organized football for the fi rst time he earned All-Conference honors and then went on to become a county champion wrestler in the winter. Bonsu is a fullback/defensive lineman with size, skill and strength. “He’s a smart kid and an incredible athlete,” Chimienti said. Sophomore Vaughndrea Johnson is slated to be Baldwin’s starting quarterback. He’s a 6-foot-3, 175-pound three-sport athlete with good wheels and an improved arm. “He’s been at every workout and I can’t say enough leadership. The strength of the defense is in the trenches with Bonsu, Mills, Davidson, Pace and senior Jaden Brutus. In the secondary, Byron and junior Eugene Brown start at safety, with Jean-Pierre, Chenet, senior Dan Concepcion and junior Aubrey Moore all in the mix at corner.

RODNEY MILLS

Anthony Byron

KWASI BONSU

Schedule

September 10 @ Massapequa 2:00 p.m. 17 Uniondale 2:00 p.m. 24 @ Syosset 2:00 p.m. October 1 Plainview 3:00 p.m. 8 Port Washington 2:00 p.m. 15 @ East Meadow 2:00 p.m. 22 Freeport 2:00 p.m. 29 @ Westbury 2:00 p.m.