By Jim Fenton

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- James Cahoon played on the Massachusetts Maritime Academy football field long before he became a Bridgewater State University quarterback.

As a youngster growing in Buzzards Bay, Mass., right near the campus along the Cape Cod Canal, Cahoon and his Pop Warner team were invited to play a couple of times during halftime of Mass. Maritime games.

"I remember it was halftime and we played like 12 minutes," said Cahoon. "As little kids, we thought that was the biggest stadium, the biggest crowd, the coolest atmosphere you ever saw."

Now a record-setting quarterback at Bridgewater State, the senior will return to Clean Harbors Stadium near his home on Saturday to go against Mass. Maritime in the 44th annual Cranberry Bowl.

It will be the final regular-season game in Cahoon's illustrious career and will take place in the same place where he once visited to watch BSU and Mass. Maritime battle for the Cranberry Scoop.

"I went a couple of times," said Cahoon. "I was eager for sports growing up. I got my mom to take me. She mentioned when I was a little that the Cranberry Bowl was going on, so I stopped by a couple of times.

"It was a crazy atmosphere. I was coming from a small school and never really understood what college sports was going to be like. I watched BC, other games on TV, Texas playing Oklahoma and things like that. This was college sports on Cape Cod."

Cahoon, who has established 10 school passing records during his BSU career, took full advantage of his first Cranberry Bowl appearance at Mass. Maritime in 2021.

He won the Lee Harrington Most Valuable Player Award after throwing three touchdown passes and completing 26 passes for 319 yards in a 35-7 Bears' win over the Buccaneers.

Two years later, Cahoon will be trying to help BSU finish in a tie for the top spot in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference.

"To finish (the regular season) at home is going to be a little bittersweet, but a nice thing," said Cahoon. "The nicest part is all my family and friends will be there.

"Two years ago, it was a surreal feeling playing there. When I was young, I could never begin to imagine this. But I remember telling my parents that it'd be really cool playing in this game."

Cahoon was a backup to Stefano D'Emilia as a freshman in 2019, and after the 2000 season was canceled due to COVID, took over as a starter in 2021.

In three years, Cahoon has established career records for passing yards (6,893, topping Danny Higgins' 6,091); completions (562); completion percentage (.595) and attempts (944).

The two-year captain set season records in 2022 for passing yards (2,658); completions (215); and completion percentage (62.6).

He owns single-game records for passing yards (357), completions (30) and touchdown passes (six).

"He's always had a big arm, but he's understood the offense the last couple of years," said coach Joe Verria. "He really grasped it. He's a really smart kid. He's matured tremendously.

"The playbook has grown quite a bit since he's been here because he's been able to handle it. We're definitely going to miss him. His leadership has come a long way. The kids definitely follow him."

Cahoon said he doesn't pay much attention to the records with the focus squarely on winning.

"I think I've been pretty successful. I've been pretty lucky," he said. "Individual success and accolades, those are a tribute to the people who surround you, the quality players and amazing coaching staff.

"I try not to think about (the records). More than anything else, I just want to win. That's the most important thing, do whatever I can to make the team better and prove I'm the best man for the job every day."

Cahoon credits a pair of former BSU quarterbacks with helping him have such a successful run. D'Emilila showed him the ropes that first season while three-time Cranberry Bowl MVP Mike McCarthy provided quarterback tips at his M2 QB Academy.

"Stevie was the best role model in the world, teaching me how to work hard and how to handle successes and failures," said Cahoon.

"Meeting Mike McCarthy at his academy, he really transformed my career and abilities. Working with him and our own coaches here really transformed me as a player. It helped me develop as a player."

Cahoon, who wants to be a physical education teacher after graduating, has a chance to finish the regular season on a familiar field in an important game for the Bears.

"It never really hits you until the end," said Cahoon. "I was telling my parents the other day that the hardest thing is trying to enjoy it while it lasts and have fun every day."