Two former teammates from West Hartford’s Conard High School were on opposite sides of the field last Saturday.

Conard alumni Nate Richam (left) and Philip Simplicio were on opposite sides of the field when their college teams faced each other. Photo courtesy of the Simplicio family

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Nate Richam, running back for the Bowdoin College Polar Bears, and Philip Simplicio, offensive lineman for the Bates College Bobcats, were once again on the football field enjoying a beautiful New England fall day in the sunshine – but this time on opposite sides of the field.

Both Richam and Simplicio are 2016 graduates of Conard High School and were recruited to play football at the next level in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC).

Bowdoin and Bates squared off at historic Whittier Field on the campus of Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME, on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016. Richam scored early in the first half for the Polar Bears but the Bobcats came storming back behind a strong offense, scoring three times in the fourth quarter to capture the win, 24-7.

Bates and Bowdoin share one of the ten oldest NCAA Division III football rivalries dating back to 1889.

The Bates win on Saturday secured the Bobcats their third straight Colby Bates Bowdoin (CBB) Championship title.

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