Highly Competent Captains Guide the Bordentown Regional H.S. Football Team

BORDENTOWN, NJ — Good things are happening for the Bordentown Regional High School football program.

After dropping their first two games of the season, including a one point loss, the Scotties have earned two straight hard fought victories, including a 14-7 win over Maple Shade on September 27.

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Bordentown defeated Lawrence, 10-7, on September 20, one week after an 8-7 loss to Audubon.

A major reason for Bordentown’s recent success is preparedness of the team captains — Kenny Brophy (senior), Tahji Hill (junior) and Calvin Nice (junior).

“As a coaching staff we decided to offer up names of players we felt deserved the recognition,’’ Bordentown head coach Skip Edwards said. “The team voted for three players and the top three vote getters were elected captains. Our coaching staff voted as well.’’

The captains certainly make their presence felt on the field.

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“Calvin Nice is a homeschooled player who leads by example,’’ Edwards said. “One of the most glaring things about Calvin is he only has to be asked to do something once and it gets done. Calvin came to us as a freshman playing quarterback and outside linebacker. Calvin is now 6-foot, 4-inch 195 pounds as a junior. He starts at (right tackle) and plays some (defensive end) for us. He is on a couple specialty teams. Kenny Brophy is natural born leader by example and he will let a player know when that player does something the coaching staff will not like. Kenny is a good natured, respectful young man. We get 100% from Kenny every play at every practice and every game."

“Tahji Hill transferred over from Trenton as a freshman. Tahji is a quiet person who lets his play do the talking for him," Edwards said." He has a great work ethic. He comes ready to practice every day. He plays both sides of the ball and is on a couple specialty teams. One of the things I admire about Tahji is how hard he works not only on the field but in the classroom as well. We are very fortunate to three strong leaders.’’

It’s not a surprise that all three captains work hard consistently to become more complete football players.

“In the case of Calvin, he started out in preseason as a tight end,’’ Edwards said. “We asked him to make the switch to tackle. Calvin's outlook was ‘whatever I can do to help the team win’. Calvin comes to school every day ready to practice. Kenny Brophy has blossomed into a very good football player who puts significant time in the weight room. Kenny is a goal setter who knows exactly what he wants to do when he graduates. He and I have spoken many times about his future after graduation. His goal is to go into the service. He also explained to me that he wants to be a fireman or a fire marshal.

“Tahji is a very focused young man in the classroom and on the field. He is intense 100% of the time, he leads by example. One of the most interesting qualities about Tahji is his intense passion once he walks through the gates to practice.’’

Most notably, all three leaders are very competent in the classroom.

"Calvin speaks fluent Spanish and has a GPA of over 4.0, he plans to attend college somewhere on the east,’’ Edwards said. “When Kenny was a freshman he struggled in the classroom. Through the years Kenny has matured and looks forward to his graduation so he can start his life. Kenny maintains a high B average.

“Tahji is a very focused student. One of our team rules is if you have a ton of homework and feel you need to go home after school instead of coming to practice. He takes great pride knowing he has never taken us up on our education rule. He plans his day and sticks to the plan. He is very focused at whatever he does.’’

The ways in which the captains communicate with their teammates impresses the coaching staff.

“Our captains lead by example,’’ Edwards said. “Our practice field is cleaned up every day after practice and the captains make sure everything is put away, water jugs go inside and the locker room is neat and cleaned. On the practice field, they lead by example.’’

The Scotties are scheduled to travel to face Robbinsville (2-3 record) on Friday, October 4.

“Bordentown has six seniors this season,’’ Edwards said. “We play multiple underclassmen this year who seem to hold their own on the field.

“Our sophomore class has 25 players in it. The sophomores do not play like they are sophomores. Our team is made up with multiple players from freshmen to the seniors.’’

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