BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Mike Carter can always count on his Bloomfield High School football players to show hard work and dedication.
This season’s team is keeping up with that tradition, much to the delight of Carter, who heads into his 31st year at the helm of the Bengals.
“I really like things that we’ve done,” said Carter in an interview with The Independent Press. “A core group of these guys have made a commitment to the weight room and doing a whole lot of team-building things where they are together. I’m excited about the opportunity to get out on the field and compete and hopefully have some fans in the stands.”
Last season, fans were not allowed to attend games due to the pandemic.
Carter acknowledges that this team has been through a lot during the past year and a half with the pandemic. But the Bengals continue to persevere, looking to improve from last season.
The Bengals will be led by their senior captains — quarterback Charles Abplanalp, offensive linemen/defensive linemen Jimmy Rodriguez and Vinnie Santimone, and running back/linebacker Jaden Adkins.
The captains spoke to The Independent Press about their thoughts on the team and the season.
Abplanalp, entering his third year as the starting quarterback, said the Bengals have been making progress.
“I have high hopes coming into the season,” Abplanalp said. “We haven’t played like I know we could have played the past two years with the losses. But I feel like we’ve been getting better, and we’re all on the same page this year. We just have to put some little pieces together and I think we’re going to be pretty good. We all have to come and be here and do our jobs. We all have to play as one.”
Abplanalp said he had gained valuable learning experience the past two seasons.
The Bengals have been focusing on building a stronger team chemistry.
“We hope to basically come together as a group,” Rodriguez said. “I am really liking how we are developing to be a team and what it stands for. Even the young guys, like the freshmen, are stepping up and showing what they got.”
Being together as a group will be the key to the team’s success.
“We have to stick together and be a team.” Rodriguez said.
Santimone said he and the other captains want to lead by example.
“We’ve struggled in the past few years, but I feel that me, as a captain, and my fellow captains are picking up the pace and the energy,” Santimone said. “We’re trying to build a brotherhood. I know that I only have a year left, but we’re trying to help the younger guys who are up next. It’s not an overnight thing, but it’s a work in progress. We’re just trying to build a better foundation here.”
For Santimone, playing for the Bengals is a family tradition. His father and uncles are former Bengals.
“Being a Bengal, it’s a brotherhood,” Santimone said. “I feel like it’s family. That’s how I feel when I walk into the locker room every day. I feel like it’s another day with my family.”
Adkins said the Bengals are turning the proverbial corner.
“I feel like we have a positive future,” Adkins said. “We’re turning things around. We are moving in the right direction. We’re looking forward to the season.”
Adkins also said it’s been a joy growing up with his teammates.
The other key players for the Bengals include running back/linebacker Jayden Evans, running back/tight end/linebacker Naz Jackson, cornerback Nate Brown, lineman CJ Francois, running back/linebacker Lavon Barrett, running back/receiver/defensive back Evan Burgos, running back/receiver/defensive back Joey Jones, senior running back/defensive back DJ Noble, junior running back/linebacker Xavier Calderon, junior wide receiver/defensive back Zaire LaRue and sophomore offensive guard/defensive tackle Alonzo Nesbit.
Schedule
Sept. 3: vs. Nutley, 7 p.m.
Sept. 10: at East Orange Campus, 7 p.m.
Sept. 17: at North Bergen, 7 p.m.
Sept. 25: at Montclair, 1 p.m.
Oct. 1: vs. East Side, 7 p.m.
Oct. 8: at Kearny, 7 p.m.
Oct. 15: vs. Columbia, 7 p.m.
Oct. 22: at West Orange
Oct. 29: vs. Livingston, 7 p.m.
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