Louisiana bulldogs

It was a tale of two seasons last year for the Bulldogs as they sputtered out of the gate, but gained momentum in the second half of the year. “Last year’s season did not get off to an ideal start and it took us time to find ourselves as a team,” explained Head Coach Greg Pitzer. “We lost our first 4 games, but turned things around and went 4-3 in our final 7 games, highlighted by our first playoff win in a decade.” Building on that momentum from last season, Louisiana returns six starters on offense and five on the defensive side and they have a lot of solid experienced talent to build around this season. On the offensive side, the best advantage you can have is to return some experienced lineman and that’s exactly what the Bulldogs bring back this season. Senior O-Linemen Alec Polston (6’, 215) and Wyatt Martin (6’2, 185) are back along with juniors Ben Nichtula (6’1, 225) and Brendan Hughes (5’10, 220). This group grew up a lot last season and became better blockers as the year progressed, as evidenced by the 185 rushing yards per game they averaged. Back to carry the rushing load this season behind the big boys is junior Brady Sheppard (5’9, 165). The running back had 97 carries for 525 yards and 6 TDs last season. Look for Sheppard to increase those numbers, especially behind that more experienced line. Senior D’Marko Greene (5’9, 175)

Class: 1

Conference: EMO

Head Coach: Greg Pitzer

Years at School: 6

Record at School: 10-21

Overall Coaching Record: 10-21

Number of Returning Lettermen: 9

Returning Starters Offense: 6

Returning Starters Defense: 5

Last Year’s Record: 4-7 shared some of the carries last year with 73 for 381 yds and 3 TD. In the passing game, senior Alex Dzierwa (5’9, 155) returns at WR where he had 3 receptions for 102yds and 1 TD and had 9 carries for 97 yds and a 1 TD. Sophomore Weston Deters (5’9, 160) got some valuable playing time as a freshman at tight end last year. Back this season after missing last year with an injury is senior wide receiver Tommy Black (5’7, 150). He will be a welcome addition as Coach Pitzer would like to add to the 85 passing yards per game they averaged last year. At quarterback, senior Ethen Harrison (5’11, 175) will get the call this year. He has some experience and can run the rock and throw well enough to keep defenses honest. The Bulldogs averaged 23 points per game last year, but coach thinks they have the players back to make that number rise significantly. “Our strengths should lie in our ability to run the football from multiple different looks and by multiple different players. Our backfield (Brady Sheppard, D’Marko Greene) has seen varsity action for 3 years now and will bring confidence to our offense. Our scheme will allow us to get the ball in the hands of our athletes in a multitude of ways. Upfront, we return the bulk of our O-Line so we will look for them to be consistent and play with confidence as well. We bring back Ethen Harrison at QB who has varsity experience and has shown the ability to be a playmaker in both the run and pass game. Overall, I look for us to emphasize running the ball and to use that to set up an explosive passing game.”

On the defensive side, Louisiana returns a good core to build around. The most dominant part of that core is defensive end Ben Nichtula. He recorded 54 tackles, 20 assists, 13 TFL, 1 sack and 2 forced fumbles on his way to being named All-Conference and All District last season. With his size and athletic ability, he is hard to block and a physical tackler. Stepping into roles along the D-Line will be junior Brendan Hughes, senior Alec Polston, senior Wyatt Martin at DE and junior Dominic Hathaway (6’2, 185) who will contribute at DE as well. Backing up the line is tackling machine Brady Sheppard. The junior linebacker registered 70 tackles with 23 assists, 6 TFL and 1 forced fumble last season. He will be joined at backer by D’Marko Greene and sophomore Weston Deters. The in the secondary the senior duo of Alex Dzierwa and Ethen Harrison returns. Dzierwa made 15 tackles with 9 assists and 1 INT and Harrison made 10 tackles with 8 assists and 1 INT. They will wel-