It’s hard to believe that the first week of the season is upon us. First impressions are important and both Wortham and Oakwood want to do just that.
The week of final scrimmages and workouts, getting ready for the first week, have been put on the back burner with the lingering effects of Hurricane Harvey in Central and South Texas. It may not affect the games up here but it may cause some soggy conditions.
The Wortham Bulldogs played the second scrimmage in less than ideal conditions Thursday night in Alvarado with a matchup against the Rio Vista Eagles. They faired pretty well against the larger Eagles and worked the offense in some wet conditions.
The Bulldogs look to rebound off of a 4-6 campaign in 2016. Head coach and athletic director Chris Tobola enters his third season on the sideline of the Bulldogs that won one district game in five tries. “We had a great off season and have had outstanding numbers at the Bulldog Maker Summer Workouts,” said Coach Tobola.
Wortham has some strength returning in the offensive line in Logan Salisbury (3 year starter), Dylan Martin and Hunter Turner (3 year starter). Dalton Sandlin trades the lineman jersey for a fullback one and goes to the backfield. Wortham should show an improved running game over the season.
The defense will have some new faces but the idea is the same. Michael McGlone and Clayton Munster should hold down the middle of the defensive front. Ryan Mao returns to the Bulldog defense at corner.
The skill positions do not have a ton of depth but the Bulldogs will have more speed than in recent years. Kemontrell Jackson will take snaps and run the offense with Sandlin and Stephon Ester returning for this season. Anthony Perez and Braxton Whaley have played well in one scrimmage and should be an impact in the passing game.
Wortham will have to replace a couple of players that re-wrote the record book last season. Jayce Black shattered seven records and Zach Jones reset two of his own and the have moved onto the next level.
The Oakwood Panthers return from a 4-7 playoff season to try to unseat powerhouse Milford for a district title this season. The game against the Bulldogs is set for October 27 and head coach Chris Kuykendall should have the Panthers ready for potential upset.
Tune in next week for pictures of all the Wortham Bulldog teams and athletes of the Fall season.
