The wait ended on Tuesday afternoon.

After a seven-month delayed start to the season, the Barrington High School football team was finally able to take the field on Tuesday, March 16, in a controlled scrimmage against East Providence. Barrington Head Coach Sandy Gorham said his players were very excited to finally return to competitive play.

“They’re thrilled,” he said, adding “They did a nice job.”

Coach Gorham said that while his team has been practicing for a few weeks, the speed of a game situation is hard to replicate. He said his team appeared to be a little tentative during the first few plays of the scrimmage, but quickly settled in and performed well.

“It would be fair to say we won the scrimmage,” Coach Gorham said. “We’re a veteran team. East Providence is a young team. New offense, new coach.”

Coach Gorham said his team focused on a heavy running attack for the scrimmage, alternating carries for tailbacks Mark Bernardo, Luke Gorham and Bryan Ivatts. He said all three backs ran well and broke off long runs. Coach Gorham also praised slot-back Matt Daft, who had some nice runs on end-arounds and also hauled in some catches.

“He’s really coming on,” Coach Gorham said. “He had a couple of nice runs.”

Opening up holes for the running attack is a group of hard working linemen, led by senior center Josh Nutter.

“For a lineman, he’s about as good as you get,” Coach Gorham said.

Senior quarterback Brigham Dunphy took most of the snaps for the Eagles. He was a starter last year and is dangerous as both a passer and runner.

“He had a couple of nice runs,” Coach Gorham said. “He broke a few that would have gone for touchdowns. They played real well.”

Coach Gorham also offered special recognition for senior Evan Van Bree, who was sidelined for the last two seasons. Coach Gorham said he injured one of his knees during his sophomore season, and worked hard to rehab and get ready for his junior year.

“Just at the beginning of his junior year, he injured his other knee,” Coach Gorham said. But instead of wallowing in disappointment and frustration, Evan continued to come to practice and help out in different ways. Coach Gorham said he would set up for drills, lay out cones or do whatever else was needed.

“He didn’t pout. He did everything a manager would do,” he said. “He’s a really good kid.”

Coach Gorham said that while some kids would have stopped coming to practice, Evan was always there as a committed member of the Eagles. He said Evan worked hard to get ready for this season and played well in the scrimmage. Coach Gorham said Evan’s teammates were very happy for him — they know how difficult the last two seasons have been for him.

“They recognize what he went through,” Coach Gorham said.

The BHS head coach said his team will spend some more time practicing the passing game as they prepare for the season-opener against Middletown.

Coach Gorham said the Eagles’ defense is led by senior Tom Rocha at rush defensive end.

“He’s a beast,” Coach Gorham said. “He’s 230 pounds. He’s a big, strong kid.”

James Anderson will play a key role in the Eagles’ defensive secondary, the coach said. Anderson played well at cornerback, Coach Gorham said.

“It’s his first year there,” he said. “He did really well.”

Barrington will play Middletown at the Gaudet Middle School field on Friday, March 26 at 7 p.m.

Fall II season

The Rhode Island Interscholastic League earlier announced it was planning to have a five-game regular season for football, followed by two weeks of playoffs. The finals would be held May 1 and 2, which would create some overlap with the spring sports season but officials said none of the spring sports are scheduled to play games until the football season ends.

According to the announcement, outdoor spectators will be allowed at football games — complexes will be limited to 40 percent of total capacity or 1 person per 125 square feet. The football team rosters are limited to 45 players. In addition, teams are only allowed six coaches on the sideline, and face coverings must be worn by coaches and players (under their helmets). Players are required to wear mouthguard under their face coverings.

Teams are allowed to run 45 minutes of full contact drills each week.