Bedford continuing to build football program

BEDFORD – The Bedford High School football team could have as many as eight sophomores starting this season.

If that ends up being the case, it’s not because the Bulldogs and coach Kurt Hines need to fill those positions with someone. That may have been the case when the program joined the varsity ranks in 2008, and the team – and the school itself – was void of any seniors.

No, if those players are in the starting lineup, it’s because they’ve earned it.

“We’re not starting them by default,” Hines said. “The seniors that graduated were great kids and great athletes, but they were given starting positions because of that fact that Bedford was brand new. We’re looking at having anywhere from five to eight of this year’s sophomores starting varsity. But they’re tough kids.”

Hines learned a little bit more about those kids in Bedford’s first scrimmage of the season on Wednesday at Raymond. The Bulldogs have youth at the skill positions, and that was one of the areas the coaching staff was pleased with.

“Our skill positions look good,” the coach said. “We’re young, but we’ve got some really good talent there. Our defense looked good. We’re a little thin on the line as far as depth, but the kids that are there are strong kids.”

While Bedford will run the same defensive formation it used last season, the offense is new, as the coaching staff has made the switch to a spread formation.

Despite that transition, the first week-plus of practice ran smoothly.

“Practice has been great,” Hines said. “They know what the expectations are from the coaches. They know we’re going to push them hard and they know that there is a method to our madness and the things we’re doing.”

This is the first year the program has lost players to graduation, and because of that, it seems there has been more competition for those starting positions.

“(The seniors) really stepped up into the leadership role,” Hines said. “I think the main reason is that they’ve had to fight for it. It’s a good thing because, even though we had seniors last year, we have experienced depth now. We have (kids) fighting for positions. That competition is good.”

Bedford will have its second scrimmage on Saturday at 10 a.m. at home against Merrimack.