Perry begins Bryant tenure against familiar opponent
SMITHFIELD — First-year Bryant University football coach James Perry didn’t schedule the opening opponent of his Bulldog tenure, but Merrimack College’s visit to Beirne Field today at 3 p.m. provides Perry a bit of familiarity as he embarks on the biggest step of his coaching career.
Merrimack, a Division II school, is located in Andover, Mass., which just happens to be Perry’s hometown. Merrimack coach Dan Curran worked under Perry’s older brother and former Merrimack coach, John, who is now a wide receivers coach with the Houston Texans.
“It will be a great game. Danny Curran is a terrific coach,” James Perry said Wednesday afternoon. “I know him very well and I know he will have them motivated and ready to play. It will be a great day. You can’t be nervous – that’s for sure. I tell the guys the same thing. We’re all very excited.”
And Perry has another connec- tion to the Merrmiack program. Golden Eagles starting quarterback C.J. Scarpa, a transfer from Bentley, was a star at Andover High School. Andover is coach by another of Perry’s talented gridiron brothers, E.J.
While the Perry connections provide an interesting backdrop for the inter-division contest, the reality is the Bulldogs are beginning a new era on the sidelines and on the field. Gone is three-year starting quarterback Dalton Easton and talented receiver Taylor Barthelette.
In their place are Louisiana Tech transfer quarterback Price Wilson and a number of talented, speedy receivers. Senior tight end Joe Fine said fans who come to Smithfield this afternoon will be impressed not only by the team’s fast tempo, but also their endurance.
“I think people are going to be surprised by how well we wear down the defense and how good a shape we’re in,” Fine said. “We’ve been running a lot and we’re not going to get tired. Merrimack’s a fantastic football team and every time we’ve played them – except one – it’s been a close game at halftime.
‘We’re not looking past them at all. We’re 100 percent focused on Merrimack. Hopefully we can get a victory.”
Bryant is putting a number of streaks on the line when the ball is kicked off, as the Bulldogs have won their last four season openers along with six straight wins against the Warriors. And, since moving up to the Football Championship Subdivision, the Bulldogs are 11-0 against Division II opponents.
“This is a huge game for them,” senior wide receiver Matt Sewall said. “Anytime you can play a Division I opponent, obviously they’re going to be hungry. We can’t take anyone lightly and we have to prepare like it’s any other week. Hopefully we can put some points on the board and give a good show for the fans.”
Merrimack struggled to a 3-8 record last season, but talented running back Derek Villard (589 yards and three touchdowns) does return. Defensive captains Kevin Lazo and Dillon Guthro remember when Merrimack came to town last season and piled up 429 yards of total offense, including 317 yards through the air, in a 41-20 Bryant win.
“They’re a tough opponent and they’re going to be excited to play, just like us,” Lazo said. “It’s been nine months since we’ve played an actual opponent, so we’re excited to play. Knowing who we are and knowing they’ve put up points on us, that gives them a ‘we-can-dothis’ mentality. We just need to keep them contained.”
“Game 1, doesn’t matter what division you are, they’re coming for us,” Guthro said. “It’s like when we play what’s perceived to be a better team – like when we played Coastal Carolina – we wanted to take it to them last year even though they were going I-A. Merrimack is a good team with a solid line. We want to be the team we can be.”