LEWISTON, Maine -- The Bates football senior class competes on Garcelon Field for the final time this Saturday. These 12 Bobcats gave their all to the program for four -- and for some -- five years. To a man, they say that all the long hours were worth it, and they'll graduate from Bates with many fond memories, on and off the field. 

Quarterback and physics major Colton Bosselait (Westminster, Mass.) started his career with a bang in 2021, starting the final game of the season and completing a last-second touchdown pass to beat Hamilton. As a sophomore in 2022, Bosselait broke the school record for touchdowns responsible for in a season with 21, 17 passing and four rushing. It surpassed the previous record of 19 held by Chuck Laurie '79, who set the mark back in 1978. Bosselait's 17 passing touchdowns in 2022 tied him with Laurie and Jim Murphy '69 for the most passing touchdowns in one season in Bates history. His 1,817 passing yards on the year broke a record set by Brendan Costa '22 in 2021, when Costa passed for 1,680 yards.

A two-time team captain, Bosselait has adjusted to the new-look option offense this year with aplomb, after running the spread the previous three seasons.

"The most memorable part of being a member of the Bates football program is the relationships I have formed with everybody I have played with," Bosselait says. "Getting up at 6 a.m. during the off-season to run and staying at the gym until 10 p.m. to lift brought us closer together. On Thursday nights, we would all wear cutoffs to the gym and listen to house music while we worked out. Putting in the long hours is a grind, but doing it with your best friends made it the most enjoyable part of my day." 

Offensive lineman and politics major Eli Dawson (Montclair, N.J.) stepped in and delivered a big-time performance at the center position when rookie Matthew Pierotti (Hanover, Mass.) went down with an injury against Colby, helping Bates rush for a season-high 277 yards. He has excelled in the classroom during his time at Bates, being named to the NESCAC All-Academic team each of the past two years.

"Being part of this program isn't defined by any one moment but by countless small memories along the way," Dawson says. "Sure, some wins stand out, like beating Middlebury this year or Bowdoin back in 2021. But what really sticks with me are the off-field moments. These include the conversations I've had in the locker room and in Commons, unique rituals with different teammates during practices and games, and ultimately the sense of contributing to something much bigger than myself—working to leave the program stronger than we found it." 

Defensive lineman and politics major Finn Duffey (Scituate, Mass.) has been a rock-solid contributor since his first day at Bates. He's notched 66 total tackles to date, including 10 tackles for loss and five sacks. Like Bosselait, Duffey says, "the most memorable part of being a Bates football player is the relationships I've made with my teammates through four years." 

Linebacker and politics major Matt Juneau (Wakefield, Mass.) stepped up to the challenge issued by head coach Matt Coyne early in his career, and has thrived as one of the leading tacklers on the Bates defense. A two-time team captain,  Juneau ranked seventh in the NESCAC last season with 66 total tackles. The reigning NESCAC Defensive Player of the Week, Juneau is third on the team with 47 total tackles through seven games this year.

"It is special to have a group of people who I can call my family for the rest of my life," Juneau says. "Coaches, alumni, and current members of the team who I have been fortunate enough to play with, we will all always have each other's backs. I am forever grateful for that." 

Defensive lineman and politics major Paul Larrabee (Gloucester, Mass.) is a two-time NESCAC All-Academic selection for Bates, and a grinder in the weight room.

"From early morning spring ball practices to late-night workouts in the offseason, it was during these moments that we really grew as a team," Larrabee says. "One example that highlights this was a Friday night max-out session we had as a team during this past offseason. The energy in the weight room that night was electric, and the momentum we built during those moments has translated into tangible results on the field this year." 

Wide receiver and religious studies major Drew Sachs (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) joined the team as a sophomore in 2022. He had a breakout game last year at Bowdoin, catching eight passes for 106 yards and a touchdown. But his most memorable moment dates back further. Already a member of the men's basketball team at Bates, Sachs first gave college football a shot two years ago. 

"What stands out to me the most is when I met the coaches and players for the first time," Sachs says. "I never thought that I'd join a group of guys that were so hard working, cared so much for each other, and were so determined to win. I found an instant connection with this team and loved every second of it from the very start, from morning practices to long hours of film study. Despite all of the ups and downs, joining this team is a decision that I will never regret!"

Defensive lineman and philosophy major Alex Zunino (East Granby, Conn.) joined Duffey throughout his career as a disruptive force up front. This year, he's tallied a career-high 12 tackles to date, to go along with 1.5 tackles for loss. 

"My experience on the Bates College football team has brought me closest to my brothers for life," Zunino says. "I am especially appreciative of the time spent with my fellow members of the defensive line and our position coach Tom Radulski. This group has taught me the importance of persistence and mental fortitude in the pursuit towards fulfilling a common goal. I am forever indebted to this program and look forward to following the team's success in the years to come. Go Bobcats!"

Bosselait, Dawson, Duffey, Juneau, Larrabee, Sachs, and Zunino make up the "true seniors" of the class of 2025. Then there are the guys who started their Bates careers in the fall of 2020, when the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These fifth-year seniors chose to return this year to use their extra season of eligibility granted by the NCAA, and they've all made a big impact.

Defensive lineman and rhetoric, film, and screen studies major Ben Conrad (Ivoryton, Conn.) will always look back fondly on traveling to Bowdoin in 2021, and getting a thrilling victory. 

"It was my first taste of the CBB atmosphere and was a close game until the end," Conrad says. "Even though we were away, it felt like a home game with how many Bates fans there were and it's a memory that will not be forgotten."

Tight end and economics major Steven Guerrette (Bow, N.H.) has been one of Bosselait's biggest targets the past four years. A two-time team captain, Guerrette busted out for 322 receiving yards and three touchdowns last year. A NESCAC All-Sportsmanship team honoree, Guerrette has racked up 52 catches for 725 yards to date. 

"The most memorable part of being a member of the Bates football program is the little things off the field with the guys on the team," Guerrette says. "Whether it be pickup basketball, team trivia night, or just getting to sit and talk with everyone in Commons each day." 

Defensive lineman and economics major Kyle Hamilton (Hartford, Vt.) first worked his way into the rotation in 2022, and hasn't left. He's tallied 56 total tackles in his career, to go along with six tackles for loss, a sack, and an interception. For Hamilton, it was always about having fun on the field.

"Being able to keep playing a children's game for another four years and gaining brothers for life has been the best part of being a member of this program!" says Hamilton.  

Offensive lineman and economics major Peter Simplicio (West Hartford, Conn.) is the "grampa" of "The Hogs" up front for Bates. All he did as a rookie in 2021 was help Bates break the program record for passing yards in one season, as Bobcat quarterbacks combined for 2,136 passing yards on the year. He's bookended his career in 2024 leading a unit that prides itself on its run blocking, as the Bobcats rank second in the NESCAC at 168.4 rushing yards per game. The offensive line, with Simplicio anchoring the group at tackle, has been named to the D3football.com "Team of the Week" twice this season for their performances in wins over Wesleyan and Middlebury, respectively.

"Aside from the wins, the culture that we built is what I'll really take away from my time at Bates," Simplicio says. "I enjoy going to practice every day and going to work with my teammates and also the dinners after practice where we can relax and joke around about our days. The camaraderie that we built within the Bates football program is special on and off the field."

The story of defensive back and politics / hispanic studies double major Johnny Walker (Brooklyn, N.Y.) is quite remarkable. Despite not playing football in high school, Walker has emerged as a reliable member of the Bates secondary during his time as a Bobcat. A three-time NESCAC Fall All-Academic honoree to date, Walker has a nose for the ball, having forced four fumbles and broken up seven passes in his career. He's made 63 total tackles for the Bobcats, including five tackles for loss.

"I'll never forget our win over Wesleyan this year," Walker says. "Winning in Middletown for the first time since 1981, and beating Wesleyan for the first time since 2005, proved this program is on a completely different trajectory. Instead of hoping to be competitive against the NESCAC's lower tier teams (as we had in the past), we were now walking into a hostile environment and out-playing the No. 1 team in the conference for 60 minutes. Not to mention, coach Coyne's history at Wesleyan made it extra special. When Rozi (sophomore linebacker Ryan Rozich) lit up Wesleyan's best receiver on their last-gasp 4th down to put the nail in the coffin, I knew coming back for a 5th year was worth it."