Football

The Dogs are off to a steaming hot start – The 2025 NHIAA football season is in full swing as all teams have played 3 games. Bedford sits at the top of standings with a perfect 3-0 record with wins against neighboring Merrimack, Nashua South, and Thornton Academy- one of the best programs in Maine. Tied with Bedford for the top spot in the West division is Bishop Guertin, who has a combined score of 131-23 in their 3 games. BG and Bedford face off on October 17th in one of the most anticipated matchups of the season.

We got the chance to sit down with Junior Wide Receiver/Safety Brycen D’Urso, one of the biggest catalysts for Bedford’s success thus far. D’Urso had 149 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns in Bedford’s first two games, and he has broken out, and onto the scene. When asked about his success, D’Urso said, “It really just comes down to preparation;, Coach Matthews does a really good job preparing us for difficult times and just getting me ready for big games and big moments.” D’Urso has carved out a superb start for his junior year campaign, and alongside his individual success, he stated that the teams chemistry has been great as well “Compared to last year I think that we’ve been a lot more focused, and a lot more locked in during practices” D’Urso said. “Everybody has gotten the ball in some capacity and done their part, and the line is looking really good as well”. Bedford faces their rival Goffstown, this Friday September 26th, and the following week they play a solid Exeter team on Homecoming. D’Urso is going to need to continue his level of play in order for Bedford to succeed, and having a high level of preparation comes with that, stating “We just have to stay locked in and focus on the important stuff, and take it week by week.” D’Urso said. “It starts with Goffstown, gotta win that- it’s a rivalry game, and I think we can do it. Individually it’s just studying the playbook, and watching game film.” D’Urso stated. Brycen D’Urso has put himself on radar across the state, and he has been one of the state’s best, and he plans to keep performing at a high level as the Dogs eye the same goal as always: a state championship.

Soccer

Moving over to Girls soccer, that team is off to a tremendous start, with an 9-0-2 record as we near the end of season. Exeter sits at the top just above Bedford, with a 11-1-0  record, along with Pinkerton and their 9-0-2 record. Bedford has been able to pick up some quality wins thus far, such as a 5-2 win against a solid Goffstown team, and dominant games against Windham, Timberlane, and Manchester Memorial.

Bedford girls soccer continues to succeed year after year, with standout players. For example, Araceli Cloutier and Zoe Santos back in 2023, and this year, individual success for some has not skipped a beat. Bedford’s main catalyst for success currently: Senior captain, Anna Diaz. Diaz has tallied a multitude of points this season, and has shown up when needed from Coach Winning. The forward is one of the state’s best and continues to turn heads across the NHIAA with her stellar play. Alongside Diaz, is Libby Foxx, who has produced a high level season when it comes to her scoring. She tallied her first career hat-trick a couple weeks back, and this level of play has garnered her attention across the state, and found her on leading scorer lists with teammate Anna Diaz. The scoring has been hot for Bedford, but the defense has been anchored down by sophomore goalkeeper Danielle Winning, who has stepped up in a big role this season, and has delivered in big moments for the Bulldogs. The individual success has been nothing short of remarkable for this Bulldog squad, but there’s an intangible in this team that separates them from the rest of the state, and an intangible that is far more important than any statistic: Team chemistry: Bedford girls soccer often pertains to their team chemistry as most of these girls have been playing together a long time, as some of the senior class has been together for quite some time. The Bulldogs are in the quest for a state championship after a gut wrenching loss to Pinkerton in a shoot out in the first round of the playoffs last year. This 2025 team seems to be more polished, and ready to go as they have a tough stretch of games to end their season. The Bulldogs will have to rely on their most imperative component yet: Team Chemistry.

Bedford boys soccer has been nothing short of sensational thus far. The Bulldogs currently sit at a 9-0-3 record, and third place in the state, with just four games to go in the regular season.

Bedford’s current roster holds high level talent, with some being fresh on the varsity scene, and others not being their first rodeo. But amongst all this talent, holds one player who has turned heads across the state: Ali Mirza. The senior captain surpassed the BHS boys soccer goals record of 47, which was previously held by Bedford Alum Eric Martel, Class of 2013, and an all American.  Mirza now sits at 57 goals- well above the program record, and he shows no signs of slowing down. Alongside Mirza’s success, is senior Gabe Texeira, who is an option they look to quite frequently when they need a goal, alongside junior Greyson Howley, who has made a quiet splash in his junior year campaign. But the glue that holds this team together is head coach Stuart Pepper. Pepper, one of the longest tenured coaches currently at Bedford, has the experience and knowledge to propel this Bedford team to new heights. The Bulldogs, who won it all in 2023, came up just short to an excellent Exeter team in 2024. That loss has given them a new sense of drive for a big playoff push coming soon for the Bulldogs. With a combination of talent, leadership, and experience the Bulldogs look like an opponent not to be taken lightly in the playoffs year, and for Bedford boys soccer, a state championship is always the standard in place.