WINDER -- It's been a rough three years for Winder-Barrow coach David Wagner, who has guided the Bulldoggs to one win over that span.<br />
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But if he's feeling any pressure, he's certainly not showing it. In fact, Wagner feels his program may be about ready to make significant strides beginning this season.<br />
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Wagner and his staff have changed from the wing-T to a spread offense and changed the defense to an attacking, 3-5 base in an effort to be more competitive in the rugged Region 8-AAAAA, home of Class AAAAA state champion Gainesville and perennial power Flowery Branch.<br />
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"We have a lot of good, speedy receivers, and I feel this will give us a better chance to be competitive," said Wagner, who is set to begin his fourth season in Winder. <br />
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Senior Hunter Cooper will take over at quarterback and will benefit from the return of senior receiver Markesio Anderson, who suffered a broken leg just before the season began last year. Anderson was projected as the Bulldoggs' leading receiver as a junior.<br />
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"Markesio is the real deal. It will be good having him back," Wagner said. "We've made some changes in personnel but we've had a real good summer and fall practice, and I like the progress we've made."<br />
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On defense, the Bulldoggs' switch to a 3-5 should help them bring in some more speed from the linebackers and secondary. They struggled against faster teams like Gainesville and Flowery Branch on the way to yielding nearly 40 points a game.<br />
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Senior Solomon Sims and juniors Cole Baggett and Jeremy Ramsey will anchor a solid linebacking group. Senior cornerback/safety Shandon Sullivan and junior cornerback/safety Brayden Randell will provide speed in the secondary. Senior Augustin Salas will anchor the line.<br />
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"I feel our defense is much faster this year," Wagner said. "We were over-matched last year, but this year we feel we have more guys with speed that can hit. I think the (scoring) numbers will drop this year."<br />
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Wagner said the biggest concern early on was learning two new schemes.<br />
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"We were asking them to learn a lot but they have picked things up pretty quick," he said. "We've been very pleased with how they have done so far. The kids seem to have enjoyed the new schemes. Hopefully it will lead to some more wins."<br />
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However, where those wins will come from will tell a lot about how much progress the Bulldoggs have made. They have six playoff teams on the schedule, including their first three opponents: Jackson County (Region 8-AAA), Region 8-AAAA champ Monroe Area, and Gainesville to open Region 8-AAAAA play.<br />
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"It's a very tough schedule, no doubt," Wagner said. "We're hoping that we'll be more competitive overall and catch up to the teams in the middle. I fully expect us to grab a few more wins."
