FOREST, Va. (BC Athletics) – The Bridgewater College Football team was selected fourth in the ODAC Preseason poll released on Wednesday.
The Eagles were slotted in fourth with 45 points in the coach’s poll. Defending league champion Randolph-Macon took home the top spot after taking home eight first-place votes for the maximum of 64 points. Washington and Lee (53 pts.) was slotted in the second spot, while Shenandoah (49 pts.) took home the other first-place vote to round out the podium places. Hampden-Sydney (39 pts.) rounded out the top five, with Roanoke (22 pts.) coming in at the sixth slot in the program’s first season since World War II. Averett and Guilford came in just one voting point behind (21 pts.) to tie for seventh, while new associate member Gallaudet (10 pts.) came in ninth to round out the field.
The Eagles return seven starters from a season ago, including All-ODAC picks Brendan Robinson, Jaicere Bateman and Andrew Brown.
Bateman and Robinson look to anchor the offense after record-breaking seasons a year ago. Robinson was a First Team All-ODAC selection as an all-purpose back, as he was a threat out of the backfield as well as one of the most dangerous return men in the country. Bateman broke the program’s single-season completions record and ranked second in program history in single-season completion percentage as well in 2024 on his way to an all-conference pick.
Brown was a key piece of the Eagles’ pass rush last season, as well as coming up big when it mattered most with a field goal block as time expired to secure a victory over Shenandoah under the lights at home. The BC Darkside also returns Elijah Choy as well as former All-American Aaron Nice in the linebacker slots, along with Amari Presley and Xavier Edelen in the secondary.
BC opens the season under the lights at the Jopson Athletic Complex as Stevenson visits on Sep. 6 at 7 p.m.
2025 ODAC Preseason Football Poll
1. Randolph-Macon (8 First-place Votes) – 64 Total Points
2. Washington and Lee – 53
3. Shenandoah (1) – 49
4. Bridgewater – 45
5. Hampden-Sydney – 39
6. Roanoke – 22
T7. Averett – 21
T7. Guilford – 21
9. Gallaudet – 10
— BC Athletics —
