2022 Season Preview: Buckingham Browne & Nichols School ”Knights”
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Our next Preseason Team Preview is the 2022 Massachusetts Buckingham Browne & Nichols School “Knights”, on their quest for another NESPAC ISL League Championship. BB&N’s football program has been one of the most successful football programs in New England in recent…
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Continue ReadingOur next Preseason Team Preview is the 2022 Massachusetts Buckingham Browne & Nichols School “Knights”, on their quest for another NESPAC ISL League Championship. BB&N’s football program has been one of the most successful football programs in New England in recent years. The Team is being coached by Head Coach Mike Willey. Since his arrival as Head Coach, he has accumulated a winning record of 45 wins and 17 losses. In 2016 and 2018, his teams were crowned ISL league Champions. In 2016 the Knights were also crowned a NE Champion by winning the NEPSAC Ken O’Keefe Bowl. In 2017 the Knights were a NE Finalist in the NEPSCAC Hugh Caldera Bowl. In 2018 the Knights were crowned the NE Champion once again by winning the NESPAC Kevin Driscoll Bowl. Last year in 2021, the Knights were a NE Finalist in the NESPAC Kevin Driscoll Bowl.
Team Overview: Since 2007, the Knights have gone to 7 and won 5 NEPSAC Super Bowl Championships and 3 ISL Championship in 2009, 2016. and 2018. Over that time, the Knights have sent over 100 players on to college programs, ranging from D1 to D3. Colleges such as Stanford, Boston College, Wake Forest, Columbia, Duke, Northwestern, Yale, Cornell, Princeton, Penn, Brown, Harvard, Amherst, Williams, Middlebury, Tufts and Bentley have welcomed former Knights to their programs. The combination of an outstanding education and high level athletics has made BB&N arguably one of the top IVY, NESCAC, and High Academic D1 FBS feeder schools in the country.
2021 Season Results:
The Knights had a strong 2021 season in the Independent School League (ISL). They made it to a NEPSAC Bowl game, and sent many players off to college to continue their careers as they usually do. That has been the routine for BB&N for years now, and it does not look to change anytime soon.
Toughest Losses to Graduation: Shane Hanafin (QB) Boston College; James Staknis (OL/C) Lake Forest (Ill.); Thomas Porel (DB) Notre Dame lacrosse; Thaddeus Foote (OL) MIddlebury; Nick Ciaffoni (OL) Rutgers; Declan Pflaumer (OT) Assumption; Thomas Sheft (DE) Hamilton
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
“Kacyvenski is an “athlete” who is also a high academic performer. He has recently committed to Harvard. During his jr season was able to see him in live action. While on the field, he was used in a variety of ways that displays his athletic talents. His coaches lined him up at the WR/RB and DB and he made outstanding athletic plays in all of these positions. He has speed, great burst and he can bend. HUDL: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15868737/6184789c38640b05ccfd938f
“Hanfin is a national recruit. We have ranked him as our our #1 athlete in the 2023 class. A solid recruit who can do everything. He has loads and loads of power 5 offers from premier top schools before committing to Clemson this summer. He can run with anyone. His hands are elite. Very aggressive tackler on defense and also returned kicks. A threat to take it to the house anytime he touches the ball. SOLID recruit!!!!! HUDL: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13345035/616ebcf00dbfcd0900558923
“Elliot” is a 2024 national recruit who has already gained major offers from power 5 schools. Going into his Junior season this fall 22, he will likely attract many more schools thereafter. He is just fun to watch in person and on film. He has great hands and moves his feet well when blocking from TE position. On defense he is seen laying the edge and uses good hand placement to contribute to that. He will likely be able to choose what school wants him for the position he wants to play when all said in done.
Highlights
A high academic student athlete. While playing DE, he has a good burst-on snap of the ball. He uses good hand placement to shed his blockers and react to ball carrier. His feet are quick which allows him keep the edge while using his hand techniques. He seems to have a motor that wont quit. Has decent size. He has earned offers of support from Pomona-Pitzer college, Hamilton College, Bowdoin College, and Colby College. A solid senior season could bring additional interest. HUDL: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/8923675/61e87f106899780b00ea28d9
A name many will know if not known already. Will be a national recruit when all said and done. Last year(21), he was a Freshman playing Varsity and he opened a lot of eyes. He rushed for 1,200 yards in eight games. This performance along with a recent summer camp experience earned him his first offer from in State UMass. He hits the hole low to the ground with his shoulders square. Can run inside with strength or outside with speed. He can easily cut away from defenders while running down hill. His instincts and vision are solid. Shows toughness while playing with strength and good ball security. Projected D1 recruit with multiple offers to come. HUDL: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16680314/61a1a9299680fb0ac0ab62f9
More Names to Know: 2023 Jack Kelley WR/OLB); 2023 Jake Berglund Jake Berglund 6'0" | 220 lbs | LB Buckingham Browne & Nichols | 2023 State NewE (LB); 2023 Isaiah Ohuabunwa (OL/DL); 2023 Tyler Robbins, (WR); 2023 Leo Sarzana Leo Sarzana 6'0" | RB BB&N | 2023 State NewE (LB); 2024 Brian Brennan Brian Brennan 6'4" | 290 lbs | OL Buckingham Browne & Nichols | 2024 State NewE (OL); 2024 Nick Matosic (DL)
2022 Schedule/Games to see:
Opponent | Date | Time | Location | Advantage | Type | Must see |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Waltham High School | 9/3/22 | 10:00 AM | Away | Scrimmage | ||
vs.Phillips Exeter Academy | 9/9/22 | 5:00 PM | Phillips Exeter Academy | Away | ||
vs.Choate Rosemary Hall | 9/17/22 | 1:00 PM | Choate Rosemary Hall | Away | Scrimmage | Must see |
vs.Milton Academy | 9/24/22 | 7:00 PM | Away | Must see | ||
vs.Thayer Academy | 10/1/22 | 6:00 PM | Home | |||
vs.Governor’s Academy | 10/8/22 | 3:00 PM | Home | Must see | ||
Suffield | 10/14/22 | 7:00 PM | Away | Must see | ||
vs.Noble & Greenough School | 10/22/22 | 3:00 PM | Noble & Greenough School | Away | ||
vs.Belmont Hill School | 10/29/22 | 12:00 PM | Home | |||
vs.St. Sebastian’s School | 11/4/22 | 2:00 PM | Away | Must see | ||
vs.Lawrence Academy | 11/12/22 | 12:00 PM | Home | Must see |
NOTABLE: BB&N was founded in 1974 from the merger of two schools, Browne & Nichols School and the Buckingham School. Prior to the merger, Browne & Nichols was a boys school consisting of grades 7-12; Buckingham School enrolled students in grades K-12: boys and girls in grades K-6 and girls only in grades 7-12. BBN athletic program competes in the Independent School League known to many as (ISL).
Championship History: