OFFENSIVE STYLE: No-huddle spread -- The Bulldoggs will look to get playmakers in space and keep defenses on their heels.
KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 1 returning starter -- Jr. RB Cece Green, Jr. WR Brandon Hayes, Sr. WR Bradyn Randell, Jr. QB Ryan Evans, Jr. QB Noah Chapman, Sr. OL Tanner Morton
DEFENSIVE STYLE: 3-5 -- Winder will hope that its linebackers can fly around the field and make plays.
KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 3 returning starters -- Sr. LB Cole Baggett, Sr. LB Jeremy Ramsey, Jr. FS Joey Junius, Sr. DL Anthony Gates,
SPECIAL TEAMS: Jr. PK Alan Leighton
STRENGTH: Defensive front -- Led by Gates and a strong linebacker unit, this group should be solid. New skilled players on offense should have a chance to put up some numbers.
QUESTION: Offensive line -- The group is being retooled with no returning starters from last season.
KEY GAMES: Winder faces a tough schedule for a rebuilding program. A good start in region would do wonders for the Bulldoggs, though they start off with a tough test in Class AA quarterfinalist Jefferson (Aug. 29 in Winder). The big rivalry game also comes right out of the gate, as Apalachee comes calling on Sept. 5.
TRENDING: The Bulldoggs are still looking for their first winning season since 2003 but have increased their win total each of the last two seasons. However, with a new coaching change expect some growing pains as a new system is implemented.
2014 SCHEDULE:
Aug. 22 -- Open
Aug. 29
WINDER -- If new Bulldoggs coach Heath Webb has his way, there will be no more 'the sky is falling' mentality for the Winder-Barrow football team.<br />
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Webb, who took over the job after one-year stints at Flowery Branch and Peachtree Ridge as an assistant, said it is time for the Bulldoggs -- who have not posted a winning season since 2003 -- to break out of their doldrums.<br />
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"There's talent here and the facilities are awesome," Webb said. "We want to set the bar high right from the beginning. I don't want to say we'll be happy just winning 'X' amount of games. I want to play for region titles."<br />
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Webb is bringing plenty of enthusiasm to a program that has struggled since the opening of Apalachee split the area's talent in 2000. And he knows how to build, or rebuild in this case, a program. He opened North Paulding in 2007 and produced a winning season in just its third season of varsity play.<br />
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He also brings with him a no-huddle spread attack on offense, and the Bulldoggs have the skilled players to make it work. Juniors Ryan Evans and Noah Chapman are battling for the starting spot at quarterback and either will have solid targets with senior Bradyn Randell and junior Brandon Hayes leading what could be a good receiving corps as the season progresses. <br />
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Junior Cece Green returns at running back and Tanner Morton will anchor the offensive line. Development in the offensive trenches bear watching for Winder, with six players battling for the other five spots.<br />
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"I like what we've seen so far in practice from our skilled guys. I think they'll be able to make some plays," Webb said. "Finding the right combination on the line will be the key for us."<br />
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Defensively, the Bulldoggs should feature a strong front eight, led by senior Anthony Gates on the line. Seniors Cole Baggett and Jeremy Ramsey will anchor an athletic linebacking group and junior Joey Junius will feature in the secondary.<br />
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"We have a strong junior class that saw a lot of playing time as sophomores so I feel they are more experienced than their years indicate," Webb said. "The big thing for this team is, when things go bad -- and something always does in a season -- will they go back to the 'sky is falling' mentality or will they battle on? <br />
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"So far in practice, they've been battling on. If we take that into the season, we have a chance to win some games."
