Thursday's Internet Edition, September 09, 2010.
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| SEASON OPENER- The Bulldog varsity football team will begin the 2008 season this Friday in Comanche with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. Leading the Dogs this season will be coaches (l-r): Eddie Pettit, Sonny Galindo (defensive coordinator), Sonny DeLeGarza (offensive coordinator), Howard Cox, David Wright (head coach and AD), Ricky Crim, Blake Sandford and John Hall (coaches assistant). Staff Photo |
With 13 seniors, 10 juniors and four sophomores on this year’s varsity squad, the Bulldogs are an experienced group with high hopes of advancing to the state playoffs for the fifth consecutive year. Last year, the Bulldogs had an 8-4 record, advancing to the area round. In route, they claimed one the school’s most celebrated victories in its football history, defeating the defending state champion and number one-rated Mart Panthers 43-21 at bi-district.
The Bulldogs graduated 11 players in May, including some workhorses, but they still appear to have a wealth of veteran players. The Bulldogs have a great deal of talent at the skill positions, and up front, the Dogs will carry on a tradition of size, strength and aggressiveness.
However, one of the Hamilton coaches’ greatest concerns will be staying healthy. The Bulldogs are not blessed with large numbers this season, and, as with most 2A clubs, depth could be an issue.
Perhaps the most obvious change for the Bulldogs this year will be a change in head coaches. After a very successful 10-year stay in Hamilton, Coach Chris Wilde departed last spring to accept a position leading the 4A Saginaw Roughriders. Wilde has been replaced by long-time assistant coach David Wright. Wright is a Hamilton native and has been Wilde’s offensive coordinator for several years.
Bulldog fans should not expect to see drastic changes on either side of the ball. In addition to Wright, much of the rest of the coaching staff also remains the same. Sonny DeLaGarza has assumed duties as offensive coordinator and Sonny Galindo remains the defensive coordinator. Also returning on the staff are Ricky Crim and Howard Cox.
Joining the staff this fall are Blake Sandford and Eddie Pettit. Both are seasoned coaches.
With only three games to prepare for a tough seven-game district schedule, the Bulldogs will hope for a smooth start to the season.
While the Dogs are hoping to extend the winning tradition established in recent years, the Indians will be trying to start one.
Over the long haul, the Indians have certainly had their share of successful teams, but recently they have suffered in one of the cruelest 3A districts imaginable. Last year, they were 0-10, including a 14-39 loss to the Bulldogs during HHS homecoming. Hamilton fans may remember that that game was actually much closer than the final score.
The Indians have 10 lettermen returning this season, including seven starters on offense and six on defense.
After dropping into 2A during re-alignment last winter, the Indians are certain to be excited about their 2008 prospects. Comanche will compete in 8-2A this year against Early, Coleman, Brady, Bangs, Dublin and San Saba. That’s obviously not the easiest of district schedules, but after competing against Sweetwater, Abilene Wylie, Breckenridge and Clyde the previous two seasons, the Indians have to be breathing a sigh of relief.
The Indians excitement over re-classification can be expected to be evident on the field this Friday as they start the season with renewed optimism.
But if the Harris High School Football Ratings prove correct, it will be the Bulldogs who leave the field with reason for optimism. Harris picks the Dogs over the hosting Indians by 13 points.
While Bulldog fans will be anxious for Coach Wright to get his first win as head coach, they will also be turning on radios after the game hoping to pick up scores from around the district. All eight teams in District 16-2A have games on opening night.
Harris picks Crawford over Jarrell by 21, McGregor over Rosebud-Lott by 40, Hico over Eastland by 34, Troy over Whitney by 35 and Clifton over Dublin by six. Harris picks Breuceville-Eddy to lose to Florence by four and Moody to fall to Thrall by 19.
The two other non-district games for the Bulldogs this season are against Goldthwaite and Bangs. Harris predicts Goldthwaite will defeat Collinsville by 15 and that Bangs will fall to Comfort by four.
Harris’ pre-season top 10 in 2A starts with Cisco, followed by Crane, Newton, Caddo Mills, Kirbyville, Elysian Fields, Arp, Early, Altair Rice and Winnsboro.
With 205 teams in the 2A classification, District 16-2A was pretty highly regarded by Harris. McGregor was just out of the top 10 at 11. Troy was at 20, followed by Crawford at 36 and Hamilton at 55. He rated Clifton at 91, Hico at 103, Bruceville-Eddy at 169 and Moody at 190.
Harris’ top four teams in 16-2A are placed in the same order that Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine predicted for a season finish.