WEST BRIDGEWATER — The cars raced loudly along Route 24 through the muggy air. However, the West Bridgewater High School football team barely noticed as they practiced.
For stars like senior quarterback James Harris, this campaign presents an opportunity to continue a winning tradition the Wildcats have established.
“This is by far the most excited I have been for a season, and it’s not even close,” said Harris. “My friends that I’ve built over these past four years? We’re here. We were working all summer. Some of these guys have been working their butts off. It really pays off, and it shows here.”
Harris will be looking to build upon a year in which he finished with 22 touchdowns and averaged 11 yards per carry. Schools like Springfield College and the University of New England have been eying his services, but the captain is focused on making history at his hometown school.
“I intend to do better,” Harris said. “Always try to do better, I know I can be better, and I know I can be better for the team as well. Looking to prioritize my teammates, maybe open the field a lot. We can run on the field, we can pass. I think everyone on the field has skill, and we can really improve on that, do better than we did last year.”
Since taking over for longtime veteran coach Bill Panos a few years back, Justin Kogler has kept West Bridgewater a perennial title contender, if not improved things. This run even featured a trip to the Div. 8 Super Bowl in 2019.
During his tenure, Kogler has seen a few incredible players pass through his program. However, Harris sticks out, primarily as a dual threat. He has always been a threat to run. Now? Expect an improved dynamic.
“He’s explosive,” Kogler said. “He’s a big play threat, he’s improved his throwing a lot in the offseason last year. He wasn’t a great thrower, but now this year, I think we’re going to be able to add a lot more passing into his game. I think that’s hopefully going to make our offense better.”
Kogler is hopeful to improve on what was viewed by his staff as a decent, but still somewhat underwhelming 2022 campaign. The Wildcats went 6-2 during the regular season in Div. 7, then fell to Wahconah in the opening round of the playoffs (a 35-15 defeat).
“We’ve got a lot of good skilled position players coming back,” said Kogler. “Kids are very enthusiastic about the year. Like I said, they’ve been excited. They’ve been looking forward to the season, as well as I. Felt like last year we probably could have done a little bit better than we did. So, we’re pretty motivated to do better this year.”
West Bridgewater will play as an independent for one more season before entering the South Coast Conference next fall.
That doesn’t mean the Wildcats will be tasked with a cupcake schedule. West Bridgewater opens the year with games against South Shore League standouts Norwell, East Bridgewater and Rockland. Then, the school will face a series of former Mayflower Athletic Conference rivals.
Harris is approaching the new challenge with a sense of confidence.
“I love the competition,” Harris said. “Norwell, last year, was definitely our best game. It was definitely the most fun game of my life. I intend to also go out there, hopefully win those games, and start off with a good three wins. They will be good, hard fought wins, and they will make the team stronger and better.”
