Bulldogs Head Coach Steve Tirrell and senior linebacker Trent Waters preview Dean's first season in the ECFC.

FRANKLIN, Mass. - A new era of Dean Football will commence in 2017 as the Bulldogs embark on a journey that will lead them to full membership in Division III of the NCAA structure.

Before that historic moment happens, however, Dean will test itself against some of the region's elite football programs over the next few seasons. Included in that group of teams are the other members of the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC), where the Bulldogs will see most of their competition. That competition begins in earnest on Saturday, September 9 when they play host to defending league champion Husson and will continue for ten consecutive weeks.

What Lies Ahead
Dean will open its 2017 campaign with three straight home contests beginning with the aforementioned Eagles and continuing with Salve Regina (September 16) and finishing up with Becker (September 23) as the centerpiece to Homecoming weekend.

In all, the Bulldogs will play five home contests and five away – including trips to Alfred State (New York), Castleton State (Vermont) and Gallaudet (Washington, D.C.).

Familiar Foes
The Bulldogs have a familiarity with three of the teams on their 2017 schedule. Dean faced Husson, Salve Regina and Alfred State last season, going 1-2 in those three contests – two of which were played on the road.

Riding High
After a slow start to 2016, Dean stepped on the gas in the final five weeks of the season, going 5-0 and averaging 37.6 points per game.

Poll Position
Dean was selected fifth in the ECFC's preseason coaches' poll. Husson took the top spot with 62 points and six first-place votes and they were followed by SUNY Maritime (53 points), Mount Ida (43), Castleton (42) and then the Bulldogs (35).

Youth Movement
The Bulldogs will have plenty of fresh faces all around their lineup when the season kicks off. Only 28 of their 85-man roster are returners.

Ones To Watch:

Trent Waters, Sr., Linebacker, Knoxville, Tenn.
Waters was brilliant against collegiate competition a season ago, totaling 24 tackles in three games, including six for loss.

Ricco Aaron, So., Linebacker, Douglasville, Ga.
Aaron was a monster a season ago, recording three games with seven tackles or more, including a ten-stop performance in late September.