By Jim Fenton, The Enterprise
Kevin Kearns got used to lining up against older players during the
early portion of his football career in Bridgewater.
Because of his size, Kearns was usually too big to be placed in his
own age group in the town’s youth leagues, so he would be
moved up to face players who had a couple of years on him.
That experience of being the youngster came in handy when Kearns
arrived at Bentley University in the fall of 2006.
Just three months after graduating from Bridgewater-Raynham
Regional High School, Kearns was suddenly a starter on the
offensive line for the Falcons, competing against seniors who were
a few years older.
It is a rarity for freshmen to step right in and play such a
significant role, especially on the offensive line, but Kearns was
more than capable of doing just that in his first collegiate
season.
“I think what helped is I always played with older kids
growing up,” said Kearns, now a senior. “It seemed
every year, I was playing with kids two or three years older than
me. As a freshman here, I think that paid off big-time, knowing I
played with kids older than me my whole life. There was no
difference when I got here.”
Kearns started eight games at right tackle in 2006, missing only
two in the middle of the season due to an injury, and he has been a
fixture on Bentley’s offensive line for four straight
years.
When the Falcons (5-1) host Southern Connecticut State University
on Friday night, Kearns will again be at right tackle, giving
Bentley reliability in his 36th career start.
The 6-foot-3, 265-pound Bridgewater resident made such an
impression in training camp as a freshman that he stepped right
into the lineup, setting the stage to be a rare four-year
starter.
“He was one of those freshman lineman who was unique,”
said Coach Thom Boerman. “The last one we had who started as
a freshman was Mackenzy Bernadeau, and he’s with the Carolina
Panthers now.
“Kevin is just solid. He really responded well to coaching
and worked hard. He was just physically ready. A lot of times,
freshmen are immature, both physically and emotionally. He was
neither. He was ready to go, physically and mentally.
“He made his mistakes. He made the mistakes that freshmen
will make. He refined his technique. He did an excellent job doing
what was asked of him.
“He’s been an excellent player for us. We’re very
pleased with how he progressed. He is a senior leader. I think that
he’s one of the best linemen in the (Northeast-10 Conference)
right now.”
Kearns, a former Enterprise All-Scholastic, wasn’t planning
on being a starter when he got to the Waltham school.
After being recruited by most of the NE-10 teams, Kearns figured he
would learn the ropes that season and get more playing time as a
sophomore.
“They talked to me beforehand and said they’d really
like me to step up and play, but as a freshman, I wasn’t
expecting much,” said Kearns, who threw the shot put at B-R.
“I just thought I’d have to learn the system still and
pay my dues and, eventually, I’d see the field. But I ended
up being thrown in right away.
“Just the speed and strength of every player you were going
against was so much different. In high school, a lot of times, I
was bigger than the other kids on the other teams, but I was
probably one of the smallest people on our offensive line that year
going against seniors in college that were 22 and I was 18 at the
time.
“As a kid (right out of) high school, it was a huge jump
getting used to all that. I’m my own worst critic, but as a
freshman I guess I did what was probably expected of me. I probably
would have liked to have played better, but I think I’ve
gotten better every year I’ve been here.”
Kearns was moved to left tackle as a sophomore to be next to
Bernadeau, who wound up being drafted in the seventh round by the
Panthers after the 2007 season.
“We ended up playing well together,” he said. “He
was a big influence. I would hang out with him on and off the
field. He would teach me all the little stuff, the little tips that
you don’t always know.”
Kearns, who went back to right tackle as a junior in 2008, had to
learn more about pass blocking after playing for a team that ran
most of the time at B-R.
“Coming to Bentley, there was a lot of passing the ball and I
never really pass blocked at Bridgewater-Raynham,” he said.
“(Bernadeau) showed you the footwork, what to do on certain
plays.
“I feel like I’m an all-around player now. I came in
strictly as a run blocker and I’m definitely more athletic
now that I’ve been here for four years doing all our
offseason program work and the in-season work.
“I like to say I’m balanced (as a blocker), but I think
my pass blocking is probably my strength right now. It came a long
way.”
From the start in ‘06 when he was an untested freshman to the
present when he is one of the better lineman in the NE-10, Kearns
has given Bentley consistency.
“He doesn’t make mistakes,’’ said Boerman.
“He grades out high every single game. We’re going to
miss him. He’s just been one of those rock-solid kids since
he got here.”
The Enterprise: 'Bridgewaters Kearns a Rock-Solid Offensive Lineman at Bentley'
Oct 07, 2009