BELL BULLDOGS (1A-District 5)
2014 RECORD: 1-9
HEAD COACH: Joey Whittington (3rd Year)
KEY PLAYERS: Austin Aderholt (Sr., OL/DE), Branden Thomas (Sr., S/WR/RB), Randy Oslager (Sr., RB/DB), Chance Rolling (Sr., OL/DL), Jacob Floyd (Sr., RB/OLB), Zach Morgan (Sr., WR/DB), Cole Diepersloot (Sr., OL), Payton Ryker (Sr., TE/DE), River Lundy (Jr., QB)
2015 PREVIEW: After one of their most successful seasons in school history in 2013 (8-3 record & the school’s first-ever postseason appearance), the ‘Dogs struggled mightily last year with just one win, 20 TDs, and only 230 yards of offense per game. They were outscored 371-136 and began the season at 0-8 before defeating Hawthorne for their win in 2014.
This year’s team returns a lot of key players and looks to be competitive, but Bell is in a very tough district which includes last year’s state runner-up, Hamilton County, and newcomer Madison County, which was a state semifinalist in 4A last year. Lafayette (Mayo) and Jefferson County (Monticello) are also in one of the toughest districts in Class 1A.
Bell will return seven players on offense and seven players on defense. Lundy (438 yards passing) is back under center. Floyd (120 carries for 641 yards), who led the team in rushing, is also back, along with Thomas, who finished second in tackles (89). Floyd rushed for 180 yards and a pair of TD’s on 18 carries in the spring game against Branford.
The ‘Dogs will be changing some things around offensively and defensively and Whittington is really excited about where they are headed. The team has been working hard in the offseason and hope to translate that into success on the field this fall.
2015 SCHEDULE
Aug. 28 – vs. Bronson
Sept. 4 – at Trenton
Sept. 11 – at Bozeman (Panama City), 8 p.m. EST
Sept. 18 – vs. Eagle’s View (Jacksonville)
Sept. 25 – vs. Madison County*
Oct. 2 – at Hamilton County (Jasper)*
Oct. 9 – at Pierson Taylor
Oct. 16 – OFF
Oct. 23 – at Lafayette (Mayo)*
Oct. 30 – vs. Jefferson County (Monticello)*
Nov. 6 – vs. Branford
*District game
“The Prep Zone” has been counting down to Kickoff 2015 with a daily preview of high school football teams in the North Central Florida area. Here’s a link to past team previews
