Austin Lewter/Jefferson Jimplecute
The dog days of summer seem to be a memory and the Jefferson Dawg Pound is gearing up for Friday night lights.
Two-a-days are in the books. Scrimmages are over and done.
And Jefferson Bulldog head football coach Antwain Jimmerson says his team is 100% healthy and ready for Friday’s season opener.
“We’ve had two really good scrimmages and a great (football) camp,” Jimmerson said. “And we emerged from it all healthy and without any injuries… that is the best possible situation you could ask for.”
The Bulldogs are returning ten offensive starters after finishing the 2021 regular season 5-5 and losing in week one of the post season.
“We are returning several starters and key players,” Jimmerson said. “We have a great bunch of leaders, and that experience always helps camp go smoother… systems are easier to implement, and the practice routines are already instilled.”
According to Jimmerson, overall turnout for the high school Bulldog program is down over years’ passed.
“We used to have close to 70 kids come out for football,” Jimmerson said. “COVID knocked those numbers down and we are slowly clawing our way back… We had about 60 kids turnout for practice this year.”
Among them is senior Chris Bowman who is coming off an 1,100-yard rushing season. He will return as the Bulldog quarterback.
Though Bowman is a proven runner, Jimmerson hopes to air out the ball effectively as well.
“Anytime you have a 1,000-plus yard rusher, defenses are going to stack the box,” Jimmerson said. “We know that, and we expect it, but we still want to control it… we want to pass the ball too. We want to pass because we want to and not because we are being forced to.”
Though Bowman is a veteran under center, Jimmerson plans to incorporate multiple options at the quarterback.
Seniors Luke McMullen and Erik Burns are also experienced snap takers and Jimmerson says he will utilize their talents their as well.
“We plan to offer multiple looks. When you have three guys as talented as these, you have to… we can’t let the other team dictate what we do.” Jimmerson said.
The Dawgs passed the ball effectively in both pre-season scrimmages — totaling six touchdown passes against three different teams.
Whomever is at quarterback will be protected by an offensive line that is returning four of five starters.
Sophomore Zack Hulscher joins veterans Luis Gomez, Bryce Clark, Jakobie Goynes and Parker Key in the trenches.
The group has affectionately been dubbed “The Trench Mafia” by their fans.
“Yeah, the Trench Mafia,” Jimmerson. “They are a good group. They’ve had a great summer and are showing up ready to play.”
The early polls show the Bulldogs ranked fourth in the District 6-3A DI, but the pre-season is over, and any coach will tell you the football prophecy magazines are only worth the paper they are printed on.
The Dawgs open the 2022 campaign tonight, on the road, at New Boston.
The Lions are also coming off a 5-5 season in which they missed the playoffs with 2-4 district record.
“At the end of the day, New Boston is always a contender,” Jimmerson said. “They are big and play hard. They are going to try to stack the box and control the run game. We will have to be ready.”
Jefferson remains on the road next week against Timpson before their home opener in the newly renovated WF Lockett Stadium on Sept. 9 against DeKalb.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. tonight in New Boston and the game can be heard on 104.5 KJTX FM.