Baldwin Bruins

BALDWIN

New coach, conference for rejuvenated Bruins for rejuvenated Bruins

By TONY BELLISSIMO

There’s a new era for Baldwin football. For the fi rst time since the late 1980s, someone other than Stephen Carroll is leading the Bruins as head coach. Frank Chimienti, former head coach at Valley Stream Central and an assistant at Freeport for the past fi ve seasons, has taken over the help and is thrilled about the energy displayed during summer workouts. “It’s not like I’m taking over a program in need of a rebuild,” Chimienti said. “Baldwin has such a great tradition and there’s a lot of talent around town. We’ve started working with the Bombers youth program and everyone’s excited about getting ready for the opener.” Scrimmaging against perennial powers Freeport and Plainedge can only help the Bruins, seeded No. 9 out of 14 teams, for what’s in store for their fi rst-ever game in Nassau Conference II. They’ll hit the road to face fi ve-time defending county champion Garden City. “We want to be as prepared as we can and let the chips fall where they may,” Chimienti said. “We have no control over what conference we’re in. We just want to improve each week.” Baldwin, off a 2-4 fi nish in Conference I last season, will look for its front four comprised of one senior, one junior and a pair of sophomores to set the tone on defense. It’ll be senior Cadeem Ramsay and soph Rodney Mills at the ends, with junior Kwasi Bonsu and soph Jake Davidson holding down the fort in the middle. Ramsay and Davidson logged major minutes last season and hardly came off the fi eld. Ramsay, who is 6-foot-4 and runs well, can be disruptive as a pass rusher and catch passes for the offense as an athletic receiver. “Cadeem has a quick fi rst step and is diffi cult to block on defense and hard to cover on offense,” Chimienti said. Davidson brings topnotch technique and also returns as a starting offensive guard. A wrist injury sidelined Mills in the spring, but Chimienti is counting on the 6-1, 235-pounder to be an every-down contributor. Bonsu has never played a down of football but possesses a combination of skill, size, strength and work ethic that turned heads in recent months. “He just has to learn football but seriously the sky’s the limit,” Chimienti said. “Everyone is amazed at what he’s shown and we can’t wait to see him in a game.” The secondary has depth, led by seniors Sean Platt at cornerback and Kevin Wallace at safety. Others in the mix include senior Jamir Stewart, junior Anthony Byron and sophomore Aubrey Brown. Juniors Jason Rivera and Eugene Brown enter the fray at linebacker. Bonsu could wind up the featured running back, but the Bruins also have Byron coming off a strong season at the JV level and sophomore Shane Mauldin as additional tough, physical options. How much the offense will go to the air will depend on the opponent and situation, Chimienti said. Ramsay and fellow seniors Daniel Taylor and Kevin Wallace lead the wideout group. Taylor has plenty of attributes to make things happen down the fi eld, while Wallace is 6-1 and can move. Senior Zach Kirchner, who has starting experience and improved arm strength, and freshman Angel Johnson, are both working at quarterback. Chimienti said both will see action and certain packages could have Johnson split wide. Junior D.J. Ward steps up to assume the center position after a

solid showing on JV. “He’s strong and does a nice job with assignments and snaps,” Chimienti said. Jack Pace, another sophomore, is in the mix to start.

and catch passes for the offense as an athletic receiver. “Cadeem has a quick diffi cult to block on to cover on offense,” Chimienti said. Davidson brings topnotch technique and also returns as a starting offensive guard. A wrist injury sidelined Mills in the spring, but Chimienti is counting on the 6-1, 235-pounder to be an every-down contributor. Bonsu has never played a down of football but possesses a combination of skill, size, strength and work ethic that turned heads in recent months. “He just has to learn football but seriously the sky’s the limit,” Chimienti said. “Everyone is amazed at what he’s shown quarterback. Chimienti said both will see action and certain packages could have Johnson split wide. Junior D.J. Ward steps up to assume the center position after

SEAN PLATT a

Kwasi Bonsu

solid showing on JV. “He’s strong and does a nice job with assignments and snaps,” Chimienti said. Jack Pace, another sophomore, is in the mix to start.

JAKE DAVIDSON

Schedule

September 11 @ Garden City 2:00 p.m. 18 Glen Cove 2:00 p.m.

25 @ New Hyde Park 2:00 p.m. October 2 Sewanhaka 3:00 p.m. 9 Mepham 2:00 p.m. 16 @ Calhoun 2:00 p.m. 23 Carey 2:00 p.m. 30 @ Roslyn 2:00 p.m.