SUNDAY, AUGUST 12, 2012
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5F
Bulldogs have plenty of weapons, experience BY BRANDON SPECK
Bray
ABERDEEN
BULLDOGS FAST FACTS
Division: 2-3A 2011 record: 7-6, 4-1 division (Lost in second round of playoffs) Coach: Mark Bray (1st year)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Brandon Hodges, Sr., OL/DL Agile 6-5, 276-pound senior. “He’s athletic, got great feet. We’re expecting big things out of him,” says coach Mark Bray. Justin Lucas, Sr., LB/FB 6-0, 230-pound senior is the lone returning linebacker. Chico Harrison, Jr., RB 5-11, 195 pound junior will be key for a team without a consistent back last season.
OFFENSE
Josh Williams is a sophomore but will start his second season at quarterAberdeen had gotten accusback. Tackles Brandon Hodges and tomed to playing for the Class Bobby Ward return. Tavoris Eckford and 3A state championship. Devonta Walker opened practice at the The Bulldogs went to two guard spots with Jahrel Wilson at censtraight before losing to eventual ter, both tackles and Eckford returning champion Charleston in the sec- starters. Nine are back on offense. ond round of the playoffs last “The experience has made a big difseason. ference and a lot are springing over and This season, two key pieces playing defense,” Bray said. that helped the Bulldogs out of The Bulldogs struggled to find a back the Class 3A cellar are gone. last season. Bray doesn’t intend on that Channing Ward is at Ole Miss happening this season. Junior Chico C. TODD SHERMAN | DAILY JOURNAL and Chris Duncan is now the Harrison is the tentative starter at runJosh Williams will return at quarformer coach. ning back going into camp with Justin terback for the Bulldogs. Nine starters are back on ofLucas, Tyler Fields, Tamarkus Payne, fense for first-year head coach Nic Hodges, Rodarius Smith and more Mark Bray. in the mix. fensive linemen will play on both lines. “Last year, we were so young Aaron McMillian, Sammie Burroughs, Joining Lucas at linebacker are Mims on offense,” Bray said. “We’ve Kenric McCoy and Jeremy Brandon are and Rodarius Smith at Sam. got everybody back and they’re the top four receivers. “No doubt losing Channing is going a year older.” to hurt. But now those players know Bray was the offensive coordiDEFENSE they have to step up and do things,” nator last season and is the head Only three return on defense, Lucas Bray said. coach now for a school that and two safeties Burroughs and Payne. spent the summer caught up in Tentative defensive starters were Theo SPECIAL TEAMS the state takeover of the district Boyd, Walker, Wilson and Hodges and The Bulldogs didn’t have a kicker on and the possibility of not even Zavia Forshee. Trey Mims and Smith the roster last season. It was an early having a season. will join Lucas at linebacker. Seven ofpractice priority this season. DAILY JOURNAL
CKS! U L D TEAM GOO ALL TO
Good Luck To All Monroe County Teams
Aug. 17 Aug. 24 Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26
SCHEDULE
at Columbus 7:30 at Shannon 7:30 Amory 7:30 Noxubee County 7:30 at West Bolivar 7:30 Louisville 7:30 at Mantachie* 7:00 Nettleton* 7:00 at Mooreville* 7:00 Water Valley* 7:00 at South Pontotoc* 7:00 *–Division 2-3A
SCOUTING REPORT
Senior Justin Lucas played a lot at fullback last season but will play less this year to focus of his linebacker spot ... Aberdeen faces five larger schools in its six non-division games ... Junior WR Sammie Burroughs’ dad, Sammie, who played four NFL seasons with the Dolphins and Colts, is the Bulldogs’ defensive coordinator ... Bray coached for 23 years at Vardaman and led the Rams to four North title games.
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FOOTBALL JOURNAL 2012
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