The fact Anthony “A.C.” Caldera doesn’t know exactly what position he’ll play next year with West Virginia Wesleyan’s football team shouldn’t be cause for alarm. After all, he went into the 2014 football season with Bridgeport High School not exactly sure how being the impetus for the first change in the Bridgeport High School’s offense in most people’s lifetime.

 

If the uncertainty for the Bobcats work out half as well for Caldera as it did for the Indians, then things should be pretty positive for the NCAA Division II football program.

 

This afternoon inside the BHS library, with family, coaches and BHS administration were with him, Caldera signed to continue his playing career with the Mountain East Conference school. He’ll be joining a program led by former Robert C. Byrd standout George Shehl.

 

Caldera will be leaving BHS as a state champion. He was a key cog in what the Indians did in their 13-1 season that ended with a 14-13 victory of Wayne in the Class AA state title game. He finished the year as the Indians’ second leading rusher with 1,183 yards on 148 carries (8 yards per carry) with 21 touchdowns – including both in the title win against the Pioneers.

 

Defensively he was no slouch. Starting in the secondary, Caldera finished with 38 tackles and led the team with five interceptions and six pass breakups.

 

The 5’8 Caldera believes he’s ready to play at the next level on either side of the ball. And he thanks Coach Josh Nicewarner and the staff for getting him ready.

 

“I feel like the coaches have prepared me pretty well for this,” said Caldera. “Whether I’m going to play offense or defense, whatever role that I played I felt I was prepared to play at the next level … and do what is best for the team.”

 

What proved to be best for the team this year was going from the decades-old stick-I offensive attack to the power pistol shotgun formation. And although the Indians ran roughly the same amount as they did in year’s past, the pistol allowed for the Indians to utilize Caldera’s abilities as a runner while manning the quarterback position. Nicewarner said it was the ability that Caldera showed that led him to look for a way to showcase it at the quarterback spot.

 

“I’ll be bluntly honest and tell you that he was a big reason we made the decision,” said Nicewarner. “We knew he was going to be our quarterback and a leader, but to turn around and hand it off 40 times a game would have been wasting his talents. The nice thing was that the offense ended up showcasing his talents.”

 

While Nicewarner quickly talks about Caldera’s skill leading to the chance, the senior who will enter general studies at WVWC said he was just pleased to be a part of the process.

 

“It was more about us having a lot of athletes this year that could make plays and I guess I was part of that. The team we had was exciting and had a lot of playmakers … that could make any plays on the field,” said Caldera.

 

One of those playmakers was tailback/defensive back Anthony Bonamico. Bonamico, who ran for more than 2,000 yards, and is Caldera’s best friend, will be joining him in Upshur County as he signed to play just after Caldera this afternoon.

 

“We’ve been playing together since middle school. It’s a great feeling to have a teammate, or a brother I guess, because we’re pretty much family to be going with me to play,” said Caldera, who added that he made his decision to play at WVWC prior to Bonamico’s decision.

 

That said, once he found out, Bonamico was going, he was pleased.

“To know we’re going to be roommates and teammates again is pretty awesome,” said Caldera.

 

Nicewarner isn’t worried about concerns some may have over Calera coming in at 5’8 and just 155 pounds. He said he’s one of the toughest kids he’s ever coached.

 

“He’s such a tough kid and I don’t care what level it is it will take you far on the football field,” Nicewarner said. “When he gets into a serious weight program for 12 months of a year I think he’ll put some size on. The big thing is that he’s a thinking player. He’s not just flat out speed or about size. He did a lot this year with his mind and he did a lot with the fact that he would hit anyone on either side of the ball.”

 

Caldera said if he plays offense, the WVWC staff has indicated that he will likely see time as a slot receiver. On defense, it would be in the familiar confines as a defensive back.

 

“(Wesleyan) was just a good fit,” Caldera said. “I liked the campus and I liked what Coach Shehl is doing there.”

 

Calera will be switching colors next year. He’ll go from the red and white of BHS to the orange and black of the Bobcats. Despite the change, he said he won’t forget his time with the Indians.

 

“It’s a great feeling to play under the lights of Wayne Jamison Field with the whole community behind you and cheering for the team no matter what happens,” said Caldera. “It’s a feeling I’ll never forget.”

 

Click HERE to read about another state champion BHS football player that announced where he would play his college football at today.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Caldera, front row, flanked by his parents Danny and Amber Hathaway with the BHS administration and coaching staff in the background. Action photos of Caldera by Ben Queen of www.benqueenphotography.com.