Bulldogs

Welcome to the 2011 5th Grade LOCKTON BULLDOGS.

Coaches:
Rob Hopson (Head Coach) - Cell 816-260-8044 / Home 816-524-2367 (rhopson@lockton.com)

Jared Grauberger  - Defense

Jerry Kreissler  - Defense

Curt Carlberg - Offense

John Hayes - Line (Offense & Defense)

John Strickert - Offense/Receivers/Backs

Players:

Quinton Carlberg

Drew Epperson

Jake Grauberger

Dylan Ham

Jack Hannon

Tristin Higdon

Justin Hopson

Tyler Kreissler

Sean Loeske

Zach Mann

Brodie Meredith

Bradley Myers

Gage Peaden

Jake Peaden

Cale Sackewitz

Logan Steinert

Brady Strickert

Marquis Thomas

Practice Times:
Monday / Tuesday / Thursday- 6pm-8pm

Pleasant Lea Middle School

The Bulldogs ran their record to 2-0 with a victory over the Pirates Saturday at Campbell Middle School Field #2.  The offense found their groove in the 2nd half to score three times on their way to the 29-18 victory.

The game started very well for the Bulldogs recovering a fumble on the first offensive play by the Pirates.  Five plays later, a QB dive gave the Bulldogs a lead they would never let go.  However, the remainder of the first half did not go well.

Following the successful two point converversion making the score 8-0, the Pirates ran the kick-off back for a touchdown.  The Bulldog defense held on the two point conversion, thus holding an 8-6 lead.  The offense for the Bulldogs, then sputtered the rest of the first half.  SEVEN fumbled snaps prevented them from getting going.  The defense held firm not giving up much offense to the Pirates and the score remained 8-6 at halftime.

 At halftime, even though the offense had struggled, the Bulldogs were winning.  All they needed was to get a good snap and score.  And that's exactly what they did in the 2nd half.  Two long TD runs by Jake Grauberger in the 3rd quarter gave the Bulldogs some breathing room.  However, the Pirates played tough and stayed close on a long touchdown run of their own.  Then, with the game under control and the Bulldogs moving the ball, a fumble return for touchdown by the Pirates made the score 22-18 in the 4th quarter.

That's when the Bulldogs released the "Diesel",  Drew Epperson, who ran untouched for his first score of the year.  Tyler Williams followed with the two point conversion to put the Bulldogs up 29-18.  The Bulldogs played tough defense for the remainder of the game and shut down the Pirates' attempt to come back late in the game.

What an effort by the defense.  Even though the Pirates scored three times, only one was given up by the defense - the other two were fumble return and kick-off returns.  All three conversions failed, which eneded up being key at the end of the game.  

 The entire team needs to be proud of their effort - specifically in the 2nd half.

A stifling defense and two 2^nd Quarter TD runs by Jake Grauberger were the keys to success as the 2^nd/3^rd Grade Bulldogs opened the 2009 campaign with a victory August 29^th at the brand new Legacy Park Footfall fields.  In the unseasonably cool August Saturday morning, the Bulldogs put together a solid effort to secure the first of what is hopefully many wins in 2009.  The Bulldogs (1-0)beat a tough minded Mules (0-1) team with the final score 14-0.

Head Coach Rob Hopson comments following the opening season victory “I was particularly proud of our defense today.  The D-Line got into their backfield and caused quite a bit of trouble for the Mules.  Our offense was good enough, but we can get much better.”

Having lost one player (Max Sanson) due to injury (broken arm) earlier in the week for 6-8 weeks was a tough blow for the Bulldogs.  The team rallied and performed well in the opener.  The leaders on the defense were the defensive linemen.  Tyler Kreissler, Drew Epperson, Justin Hopson, Jack Hanon, Logan Steinert and Connor Blegen, all contributed on the defensive line.  The linebackers, Blake Beaver & Bradley Myers, and Safety, Joseph Reese, were able to move freely and be prepared to stop the powerful Mule offense when the opportunities were there.  On one of the few plays that got out of the backfield for the Mules, Braden Salzar (Left Cornerback) was there to drive the runner back to his teammates for a short gain.

On offense – the starting “RED” offense didn’t fair as well as Coach Broc Beaver would have liked, “better blocking is needed”, said coach Beaver.  The holes were there for tailback Tyler Williams, but the back side pursuit limited Tyler’s gains.  “Tyler was ONE step away from breaking several runs, but never got a big gainer”, said Coach Hopson.  The “BLACK” offense was the key to scoring for the Bulldogs.  Jake Grauberger scored on back to back possessions on the same play off left end in the 2^nd quarter.  In both runs, Jake made one move then was off to the races.  Both PAT’s were converted, the first on a two yard run by Tyler Kreissler who ran in almost untouched, thanks to a key block by Caden Copsey, and the 2^nd on the only pass of the day from Brent Perry (QB) to Justin Hopson (TE).  In the fourth quarter, several different bulldogs, got an opportunity to run the ball, including Clayton Medlin, Trevor Kardell; but the most exciting run of the day for the Bulldogs was a 12 yard carry by Drew Epperson who carried three Mule defenders for several yards before finally going down.

The Bulldogs get the next weekend to prepare for the Pirates (0-1) on Sept 12.  “This season is a marathon, not a sprint”, said Coach Hopson, “and each practice/game we have to get better”.  Which is what the Bulldogs need to do if they want to return to the championship game in 2009, but so far, so good.