BLOOMFIELD’S NUMBERS BOOM
Bloomfield football by the numbers: Checking out the Warhawks’ eye-popping 12-0 season so far
Among the many dazzling numbers put up by undefeated Bloomfield are the 14 touchdown catches by receiver Jayvon Massey (above, left) during the Warhawks' run to Saturday's Class S championship game. For a closer look at an impressive array of stats,
Third-seeded Bloomfield will look to defend its Class S state football title against fourthseeded Sheehan on Saturday.
The Warhawks (12-0) tore through the Central Connecticut Conference and the first two rounds of the tournament this season, with historic individual and team statistics. Here’s a look at what has made the Warhawks an unstoppable force as they prepare for the state championship game.
3,031 passing yards for Daron Bryden
A junior, Bryden has already broken a handful of school records, including career touchdown passes (he now has 92), career passing yards (6,843) and single-season passing yards and touchdowns, both accomplished this season.
2,254 yards of offense for Anthony Simpson
The only player in the state to rack up 1,000-plus yards in both rushing and receiving, Simpson established himself as the state’s top offensive weapon this season. He has 1,179 rushing yards and 1,075 receiving yards through 12 games.
“He was always a running back,” head coach Ty Outlaw said. “We knew he was the next running back [after the graduation of All-Courant honoree Ky’Juon Butler]. But putting it all together, that’s what people are seeing now.”
+567 point differential
Bloomfield’s games haven’t exactly been close, as the Warhawks have outscored opponents, on average, by more than 47 points. The closest game was their most recent one - a 35-7 win over Plainville in the Class S semifinal.
Bloomfield feels confident in its ability to compete with Sheehan on Saturday if the game comes down to the wire.
“I feel like if the game gets tight, we’re really going to have to stick together as a unit,” Simpson said. “We’re going to have to really make sure we’re wrapping up every tackle.”
137 tackles for loss
While the offense has been historic, Bloomfield considers its defense the heart of the team. A big part of that has been the strength of its front seven, which has given opposing quarterbacks and running backs nearly no time to get free this season.
Senior Kyle Davis leads the team with 34 tackles for loss, followed by sophomore Aaron Jones (21) and senior Kyle Barrow (17).
“Me being in the secondary, sometimes I get caught looking at how aggressive our D-line is,” Simpson said. “I like watching our defensive line get sacks and get big plays.”
49.6 points per game
Before a 35-point showing against Plainville in the Class S semifinal (a season-low), Bloomfield was averaging well over 50 points per game.
Bloomfield scored more than 60 points twice this season - once in a 74-0 win over Bulkeley/ HMTCA/Weaver, and in a 68-0 win over Rocky Hill.
“I knew about this, I knew we were going to be like this since the summer,” Bryden said. “We just go into the game and have a mindset on winning.”
42 sacks as a team
In addition to the gaudy tackle for loss numbers, the Warhawks’ defensive line has had no issue getting to the quarterback. Davis (14.5 sacks) leads a group of 12 different players that have recorded at least half of a sack this season.
“Being on the D-line, it’s always great to get sacks,” Davis said. “But also being able to help the secondary out.”
41 total TDs for Simpson
Simpson, a senior, leads the state in total touchdowns. He has 23 rushing, 16 receiving and two interceptions returned for TDs.
38 passing TDs for Bryden
Already Bloomfield’s all-time touchdown leader, Bryden leads the state in passing yards and touchdowns, with 38.
“Daron, he’s a great quarterback, I grew up with him for years. He’s remarkable at what he does,” Simpson told The Courant when Bryden broke the Bloomfield career touchdown record.
17 wins in a row
Since a 37-0 loss to Berlin last season, Bloomfield has won 17 straight games, including the 2018 Class S state championship. According to members of the team, the loss to the Redcoats last season humbled them, and showed them what they needed to improve upon.
“Berlin, they gave us a rude awakening,” said Outlaw. “I think, overall, it helped us.”
14 touchdowns for Jayvon Massey
Simpson isn’t the only receiver making noise for Bloomfield. Massey, a sophomore, has caught 47 passes for a team-high 1,140 yards and 14 touchdowns. Last year as a freshman, he caught 14 touchdowns as well.
A 6-foot-2 receiver, he averages 24.5 yards per catch, and has become Bryden’s favorite deep threat.
10 interceptions for Simpson
In addition to his loaded offensive numbers, Simpson leads the state in interceptions. Simpson is known to bait quarterbacks into thinking the receiver has him beat, before quickly turning upfield to make a play on the ball.
“He’s a great DB,” Outlaw said. “He knows how to bait them, then jump in that back hip pocket. Other coaches think he’s beat [on defense] and we’re like. ‘Yeah, I dare you.’”
2.4 points allowed per game
Maybe the most impressive figure from Bloomfield’s season is allowing under a field goal’s worth of points per game, with seven shutouts. The most points the Warhawks have allowed all season is seven, on two separate occasions. They join Woodland (2004) and Ansonia (1995) as the only teams to post seven shutouts through 12 games.
“Our defense is the heart of our team,” Simpson said. “They don’t score, they can’t win.”