BEVERLY – Markys Bridgewater was a total football newcomer when he arrived at Central Catholic, and decided to go out for the powerhouse Raider football team.
But his athleticism was off the charts.
Now a junior for the powerful Endicott College football team, that hasn’t changed a bit.
He blossomed into a star at Central, earning co-MVP of the Merrimack Valley Conference as a running/defensive back, which included combining for 250 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the team’s 2022 MIAA Division 1 playoff wins over Braintree and Everett.
Fast forward to this fall, and he’s emerging at Endicott, one of the top Division 3 football programs in the country.
Athleticism, versatility and a drive to succeed is what is leading Bridgewater, a 5-9, 170-pounder, to possibly becoming the Gulls’ No. 1 running back heading into this season, which gets underway on Sept. 6 against Misericordia.
“Markys is not only a weapon in the backfield in the run game but is also a weapon in the pass game especially in open space,” said McGonagle. “On top of that, Markys has gotten a lot better with pass protection too. We ask our running backs to pick up blitzes and he’s gotten a lot better with that.”
Freshmen at Endicott – especially running backs – don’t usually see the field much. That wasn’t the case with Bridgewater. He carried 47 times for 272 yards with five touchdowns, which included 13 carries for 65 yards in the biggest win in program history, over No. 7-ranked Hardin-Simmons of Abilene, Texas.
Last year, Bridgewater finished with 338 rushing yards and one score, while helping the Gulls finish as the No. 10-ranked team in the country with a 10-2 overall record, reaching the second round of the NCAA Division 3 playoffs.
Many seniors have graduated from that team, leaving many spots open, including the lead running back position. The plan is for him to compete with captain Brian Metayer, holdovers Michael O’Brien, Jonah Barstow and Garren Brown, and three newcomers including former Brooks School star Darnell Pierre to form what hopes to be a dominating group.
“We always use two to three guys depending on the game and the situation. Markys will certainly be in that mix. He has done a great job of developing,” said McGonagle. “When you come here as a freshman, the expectations are never high, but he came in and did a great job of competing and got some playing time early on. I’m really looking forward to seeing what he can do this year (in a larger role).”
Over the two collegiate seasons, Bridgewater said that he has learned so much about his position.
“I watched (former Endicott and Central Catholic star) Anthony Caggianelli and other guys and learned so much from all of them,” he said. “I have learned to adjust and slow down a bit and rely more on the (offensive linemen). I’ve learned to keep my patience, watch what opens and take that.”
He’s hoping that a reoccurring theme over the next three months.
“I’m coming in with a lot of confidence. I have been here for two years now, so I’m hoping my best is yet to come,” he said. “Playing football has shown me that if I want something, it’s there for me. I just need to reach out and go get it. If I do that, the results will come.”