Football

Varsity Football in New Jersey (NJ)

Blair Academy has been competing in football since 1884, and the team continues to build upon our tradition of success. The program has a history of tough, hard-nosed teams that have competed at the highest level, and today's teams are no exception.

Our football program in New Jersey is built around one motto: ohana. Instilled by former head varsity football coach Jim Saylor, ohana means family, and no one is left behind. This philosophy develops exemplary teamwork and camaraderie among Blair football players, who play unselfishly for the benefit of the team. Every player has a purpose and is held accountable to perform his best. This team-first approach makes our program stand out from others around the country.  

Opponents

Blair competes in the Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL), which includes Lawrenceville, Hill, Peddie, Pennington, Mercersburg and Hun, and also plays an outstanding group of non-conference schools, from around the east coast. The varsity team completes a one-scrimmage, nine-game weekend schedule, while the JV team plays multiple games on Monday afternoons.

Peddie Day

Blair’s fall athletic season culminates on Peddie Day, when each of its fall teams take on arch-rival Peddie School and compete for the prized Kelley-Potter Cup. The Blair-Peddie gridiron rivalry is New Jersey’s longest-standing prep school football contest, having taken place since 1903, and the game is a perennial Peddie Day highlight. Blair also competes with Lawrenceville and Peddie for the annual Big Three Trophy.

NCAA Football

Blair's rigorous academic program enables football players to develop to their highest potential as scholars as well as athletes. Many Bucs have continued to play football at the collegiate level at schools including: Penn State University, University of Pittsburgh, University of Maine, University of Michigan, Villanova University, Bryant University, Harvard University, University of North Carolina, University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth College, Columbia University, Florida State University, Rutgers University, Colgate University, Bucknell University, Lehigh University, Lafayette College, United States Military Academy, United States Naval Academy, Williams College, Trinity College, Middlebury College, Bates College, Colby College, Kenyon College, University of Colorado, University of Arizona, University of Rhode Island, Northeastern University, Hofstra University, University of Connecticut, Towson University, Stonehill College and Union College.

About Coach Bowman

Greg Bowman was appointed Blair Academy’s head varsity football coach in 2019, following three seasons as the Buccaneers’ defensive coordinator. A 24-year football coaching veteran, Coach Bowman enters his 6th season as the head coach at Blair. Under Bowman’s guidance, several Buccaneer players have earned Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) all-conference and New Jersey Prep A all-state recognition, many of which have continued their academic and athletic careers at the college level. During Coach Bowman’s time at Blair, four former Buccaneer players have been selected in the NFL draft.

Prior to coming to Blair, Coach Bowman was the defensive back coach for three seasons at Misericordia University, where he was also involved in all aspects of special teams. In addition, he coached for 12 years at Pleasant Valley High School in Brodheadsville, Pennsylvania, 11 of which he spent as the program’s defensive coordinator. His attacking style of defense helped Pleasant Valley win its only three conference football titles in school history. Bowman has coached numerous positions throughout his coaching career including safeties, cornerbacks, inside linebackers, outside linebackers, offensive line and running backs. A native of Athens, Pennsylvania, Coach Bowman was a multisport high-school athlete for the Athens Area Wildcats. A varsity letter-winner in wrestling (four years), football (three years), baseball (two years) and track and field (two years), he was a member of six consecutive
league-championship teams as a junior and senior, and he earned numerous accolades at the conference and district levels.

Coach Bowman continued his education and athletic career at East Stroudsburg University. Recruited for track and field, he joined the football team and became a four-year letter winner and three-year starter for the Warriors at outside linebacker. He also made starts at cornerback and free safety for the Warriors’ defense. Coach Bowman was a three-time Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Scholar Athlete and a member of the Athletic Director's Honor Roll. He earned a Bachelor of Science in physical education in 2000 and a Master of Education in physical education/sport management in 2005 from East Stroudsburg University.

Coach Bowman teaches health and physical education at Pleasant Valley Middle School, in Brodheadsville, PA. He resides in Effort, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Jenny, and their two sons,
Carson ’25 and Kason.

Please contact Coach Bowman with any questions.

About Coach Coyle

Mike Coyle joined Blair's coaching staff in 2018 and serves as the offensive and defensive line coach. Prior to coming to Blair, Coyle was the line coach at Pocono Mountain East High School for three years and has several years of experience coaching youth football and basketball. Additionally, Mike had a successful playing career at East Stroudsburg University, where he was a starting defensive tackle as a freshman along with being a four year varsity letter winner. 

About Coach Antonelli

Brian Antonelli ’93  is Blair’s director of both athletic facilities and security and the School’s assistant football, wrestling and girls’ lacrosse coach. From 2014 through 2021, he served as head varsity wrestling coach, earning distinguished titles including NHSCA National Coach of the Year in 2019 and Wrestling USA High School Coach of the Year in 2018. Under his leadership, the Blair varsity wrestling team secured top rankings nationally five times. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Brian coached his alma mater’s wrestling team for nine seasons, serving as interim head coach in 2013. He was a varsity wrestler at Navy and was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the Marine Corps upon graduation in 1997. As a Marine officer, he attained the rank of captain and served in Operation Rapid Cheetah, patrolling the borders between Kosovo and Bosnia, and later as a Naval Academy admission officer and Marine Corps Green Belt instructor. In 2004-2005, he was the head wrestling coach at The Lawrenceville School. Brian and his wife, Susie, Blair’s Senior Associate Dean of Admission and Director of Financial Aid, live in Millbrook Cottage with their four children, Kate ’20, Sammi ’22, Christopher ’24 and Michael ’26.

About Coach Flora

Nick Flora '12 returns to Blair for his fourth season as assistant varsity football coach. At Blair, he was a three-year varsity football letterman and co-captain of the team in 2011 playing running back and outside linebacker. He later played three years at the college level for Hamilton College as an outside linebacker.

About Coach Pasquali

Ryan Pasquali '19 returns to Blair for his second year as assistant varsity football coach. At Blair, he played wide receiver and defensive line. He later played four years at the University of Rochester playing tight end and garnering all conference honors for the 2021 season. 

View directions to athletic events. To read recaps about past events, go to the "Team News" tab above.

View more photos from the most recent season here.

JV Football Program

Blair Academy’s storied football program has a long history of tough, hard-nosed teams that have competed at the highest level, and today’s teams are no exception.

Our football program is built around two mottos: “Commitment to Excellence” and “Never Be Satisfied.” The teams develop by mastering the fundamentals of the game and by paying attention to the smallest details. Taking pride in a physical style of play on both offense and defense has been a key to success. Every player learns to play on both sides of the ball, as well as on special teams, and they must be prepared to play an entire game with little rest.

Opponents

Blair competes in the Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL), which includes Lawrenceville, Hill, Peddie, Pennington, Mercersburg and Hun, and also plays an outstanding group of non-conference schools. The varsity team completes a one-scrimmage, nine-game weekend schedule, while the JV team plays multiple games on Monday afternoons.

Peddie Day

Blair’s fall athletic season culminates on Peddie Day, when each of its fall teams take on arch-rival Peddie School and compete for the prized Kelley-Potter Cup. The Blair-Peddie gridiron rivalry is New Jersey’s longest-standing prep school football contest, having taken place since 1903, and the game is a perennial Peddie Day highlight. Blair also competes with Lawrenceville and Peddie for the annual Big Three Trophy.

NCAA Football

Many Bucs have continued to play football at the collegiate level at schools including: University of Pittsburgh, University of Maine, Villanova University, Bryant University, Harvard University, University of North Carolina, University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth College, Columbia University, Florida State University, Rutgers University, Colgate University, Bucknell University, Lehigh University, Lafayette College, United States Military Academy, United States Naval Academy, Williams College, Trinity College, Middlebury College, Bates College, Colby College, Kenyon College, University of Colorado, University of Arizona, University of Rhode Island, Northeastern University, Hofstra University, University of Connecticut, Towson University, Stonehill College and Union College.

About Coach Antonelli

Brian Antonelli ’93  is Blair’s director of both athletic facilities and security and the School’s assistant football, wrestling and girls’ lacrosse coach. From 2014 through 2021, he served as head varsity wrestling coach, earning distinguished titles including NHSCA National Coach of the Year in 2019 and Wrestling USA High School Coach of the Year in 2018. Under his leadership, the Blair varsity wrestling team secured top rankings nationally five times. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Brian coached his alma mater’s wrestling team for nine seasons, serving as interim head coach in 2013. He was a varsity wrestler at Navy and was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the Marine Corps upon graduation in 1997. As a Marine officer, he attained the rank of captain and served in Operation Rapid Cheetah, patrolling the borders between Kosovo and Bosnia, and later as a Naval Academy admission officer and Marine Corps Green Belt instructor. In 2004-2005, he was the head wrestling coach at The Lawrenceville School. Brian and his wife, Susie, Blair’s Senior Associate Dean of Admission and Director of Financial Aid, live in Millbrook Cottage with their four children, Kate ’20, Sammi ’22, Christopher ’24 and Michael ’26.

View directions to athletic events.

View more photos from the most recent season here.