2021 HERALD High School Football ball Preview
BALDWIN New coach, conference for rejuvenated Bruins
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By TONY BELLISSIMO
and catch passes for the offense as an athletic receiver. “Cadeem has a quick first step and is here’s a new era for Baldwin difficult to block on football. defense and hard For the first time since the to cover on offense,” late 1980s, someone other than Chimienti said. Davidson Stephen Carroll is leading the brings topnotch technique Bruins as head coach. Frank Chimienti, former head coach at Valley and also returns as a startStream Central and an assistant at ing offensive guard. A wrist injury sidelined Mills Freeport for the past five seasons, in the spring, but Chimienti is has taken over the help and is thrilled about the energy displayed counting on the 6-1, 235-pounder to be an every-down contributor. during summer workouts. Bonsu has never played a down of “It’s not like I’m taking over football but possesses a combinaa program in need of a rebuild,” Chimienti said. “Baldwin has such tion of skill, size, strength and work ethic that turned heads in recent a great tradition and there’s a months. “He just has to learn lot of talent around town. We’ve started working with the Bombers football but seriously the sky’s the limit,” Chimienti said. “Everyone youth program and everyone’s excited about getting ready for the is amazed at what he’s shown and we can’t wait to see him in a opener.” Scrimmaging against perennial game.” The secondary has depth, led powers Freeport and Plainedge can only help the Bruins, seeded No. 9 by seniors Sean Platt at cornerout of 14 teams, for what’s in store back and Kevin Wallace at safety. for their first-ever game in Nassau Others in the mix include senior Jamir Stewart, junior Anthony Conference II. They’ll hit the road to face five-time defending county Byron and sophomore Aubrey champion Garden City. “We want Brown. Juniors Jason Rivera and Eugene Brown enter the fray at to be as prepared as we can linebacker. and let the chips fall where they Bonsu could wind up the may,” Chimienti said. “We have featured running back, but the no control over what conference Bruins also have Byron coming we’re in. We just want to improve off a strong season at the JV level each week.” and sophomore Shane Mauldin as Baldwin, off a 2-4 finish in Conference I last season, will look additional tough, physical options. How much the offense will for its front four comprised of one go to the air will depend on the senior, one junior and a pair of opponent and situation, Chimienti sophomores to set the tone on said. Ramsay and fellow seniors defense. It’ll be senior Cadeem Ramsay and soph Rodney Mills at Daniel Taylor and Kevin Wallace the ends, with junior Kwasi Bonsu lead the wideout group. Taylor has plenty of attributes to make things and soph Jake Davidson holding happen down the field, while Waldown the fort in the middle. lace is 6-1 and can move. Ramsay and Davidson logged Senior Zach Kirchner, who has major minutes last season and hardly came off the field. Ramsay, starting experience and improved arm strength, and freshman Angel who is 6-foot-4 and runs well, can be disruptive as a pass rusher Johnson, are both working at 4 — September 9, 2021
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Kwasi Bonsu
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
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 11 18 25 2 9 16 23 30 RODNEY MILLS
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW
September @ Garden City 2:00 p.m. Glen Cove 2:00 p.m. @ New Hyde Park 2:00 p.m. October Sewanhaka 3:00 p.m. Mepham 2:00 p.m. @ Calhoun 2:00 p.m. Carey 2:00 p.m. @ Roslyn 2:00 p.m. Photos by Jeff Wilson
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