WINDER — It was the biggest breakout season in northeast Georgia last year when the Bulldoggs made their first playoff appearance in 11 years in 2014.
Expect them to be just as good in 2015 with 17 returning starters, including dynamic senior running back CeCe Green, who had 1,709 yards rushing (18 TDs) and another 392 receiving. Coach Heath Webb said they are looking to build on last season's success and expects a talented group of seniors to lead the way.
They will get a favorable schedule in 2015 as well, playing host to the other top five teams in the region, including back-to-back games against Clarke Central and Lanier to close out the season. However, they went 0-3 vs. the other three playoff teams in 2014 -- Lanier, Gainesvile, and Salem -- so finding a win among that group could go a long way to improving their station within the region.
WINDER-BARROW: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Bulldoggs
- TEAM COLORS:
- CURRENT REGION: 8-AAAAA
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Heath Webb, second season, 6-5
- 2014 RECORD/ ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 6-5, reached Class AAAAA first round
- KEY LOSSES: DL Anthony Gates, S Cole Baggett, LB Jeremy Ramsey, WR Bradyn Randall
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Spread -- The Bulldoggs will look to balance things between the run and pass.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 9 returning starters -- Sr. QB Noah Chapman, Sr. RB Cece Green (257 carries, 1,709 yards rushing, 18 TD’s, 38 rec, 392 yards, TD in 2014), Sr. WR Ryan Evans, Sr. WR Cale Horne, Sr. OL Ahikam Griffin, Sr. OL Justin Simmons, Sr. OL Tristen Swords, Jr. OL Dylan Brown, Jr. OL Cullen Moore
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 3-3-5 -- Winder will lood the field with athletes and look to make plays.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 8 returning starters -- Sr. DL Antonio Trimble, Sr. DL Jerry Scott, Sr. DL John Pritchett, Jr. LB Nathan Millwood (106 tackles), Jr. LB Mason White, Jr. S Deon Williams (2 INT), Sr. S Joey Junius (2 INT), Sr. CB Jamaul Cox (4 INT), Sr. CB Jay Branch
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Sr. PK Alan Leighton, three players competing for the P position
- STRENGTH: Experience on both sides of the ball with 30 seniors and 17 returning starters.
- QUESTION: Defensive leadership. The loss of Gates, Baggett, and Ramsey will have to be replaced.
- KEY GAMES: The Bulldoggs went 0-3 vs, other playoff teams in 2014 -- Lanier, Gainesville, and Salem -- but play host to all five of the top teams in 2015. Holding serve at home will be the key to another playoff run.
- TRENDING: The Bulldoggs are definitely on the upswing. Their six wins in 2014 matched the previous six years combined. Webb sais they also are building with the future in mind and have talent in all the classes below the seniors. Another winning season and and playoff run could vault the Bulldoggs onto the state scene for years to come.
2015 SCHEDULE
Aug. 28 at Jefferson
Sept. 4 at *Apalachee
Sept. 11 vs. *Gainesville
Sept. 18 at *Loganville
Sept. 25 vs. *Salem
Oct. 2 vs. *Flowery Branch
Oct. 16 at *Cedar Shoals
Oct. 23 vs. *Clarke Central
Oct. 30 vs. *Lanier
Nov. 6 at *Heritage, Conyers
*- indicates region game
(All contests start at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
