SUTHERLIN The Bulldogs really need a win.

The Sutherlin High football team has gone almost two complete seasons without a win. Last year, they were 0-9 and the year before 1-6, and after some devastating and heartbreaking losses in the last two years, a win could do wonders for the Bulldogs mental attitude.

It seemed like every time they looked to be heading for a score, a turnover, untimely penalty or just a botched play would stall the drive. The Bulldogs were outscored 349-87 and just had a hard time getting the ball into the end zone.

There were so many games the last two years, it wasnt about our abilities, it was about the opponents just making a play, getting a stop, or bad bounce, or if we just hold onto the ball. So getting some success early with this group, I think could snowball for us, said fifth-year coach Sean Radford, whose teams still have not won a Sky-Em League game since moving into the league three seasons ago.

The Sutherlin offense will have to pick up the pace after getting shut out three times last year, and scoring just one touchdown in three other games.

At quarterback, the Bulldogs have experience in senior Zach Yarbrough (5-foot-10, 155 pounds) but two others are competing for the starting spot.

Juniors Cade Meisner (5-11, 160), who played quarterback on the JV team last year, and Anthony Friesen (6-1, 175) are both in the mix.

If we can get a guy who just takes over the job and makes good decisions, and hopefully makes some good plays, that would be really nice for us to see, but that is a question mark, said Radford.

Whoever wins the job will have some pass catchers to throw to. The receiving positions might be Sutherlins strongest and deepest spot in the lineup.

We have a lot of guys we can throw in there and keep us fresh, and have some speed, Radford said.

Senior Korbyn Jones (6-4, 200) and Junior J.R. Bailey (6-6, 240) will alternate at tight end, and several others will rotate at wide receiver. Senior Tristan Vincent (5-8, 145) has some speed and was the leading receiver last year with 18 catches. Hes one of several receivers who will see a lot of playing time.

We have a lot of guys returning and a lot of young guys that are really working hard for a spot, said Vincent. I think we have the quarterbacks that can get us the ball, and they have really good throwing arms and are putting in the work in practice.

Jones feels they have the pieces to make the offense go.

All of us come out here every day, running our routes, trying to make them more crisp and were pretty set, I think well be fine, Jones said.

Senior Conner Grauf (6-0, 190) is a bruising runner. He carried the ball an average of 13 times a game last year and had a season-high 126 yards against North Valley. He ran for six touchdowns during the season, three of those in the final game against Yamhill-Carlton.

Radford thinks he will have a competitive team. Hes had only five seniors in fall camp, but feels he has some quality athletes.

We have back almost all of our linebacking corps. The biggest loss on defense was Tristan Needam at safety and were trying to figure out who to fit in there, said Radford. Up front we bring Korbyn (Jones) and J.R. (Bailey) back at defensive end, and feel really good about them.

Grauf and senior Andrew Smalley (6-0, 225) are returning starters at linebacker, and theyll be pretty solid there, as long as they can avoid injuries.

Will Singleton (6-0, 190, junior) comes back and hes a strong player, Grauf said. He has a nose for the ball, and Hunter Fadness (6-0, 160, junior) will probably be a strong safety and hes really picking it up quickly. Hell be a huge asset for our defense.

Radford says senior cornerbacks Bryce Anderson (5-10, 160) and Vincent are good enough to take some pressure off the inside linebackers, so theyll be able to concentrate more on stopping the running game.

On the offensive line, the Bulldogs have Singleton and Zach Lepre (5-10, 195, junior) who both played a lot as sophomores. Sophomores Ashton Pepiot (6-0, 240), Hunter Strong (5-10, 190) and junior Austin Owens (6-6, 235) all come up from the JV and have gotten bigger and stronger.

We wont have a senior on our line, and I think were finally in a position where we can build some depth there, which we havent had, Radford said.

As always, with a small turnout, the Bulldogs cant afford many injuries.

Seven starters back on both sides of the ball, and they feel theyll be competitive, but they badly need a win to get over a big mental hurdle. The turnout is better this year with about 35 players showing up for fall practice, and thats still not as many bodies as Radford would like.

From one to 35, we really like the group that we have and were optimistic about it, said Radford.

The Bulldogs open at Oakland at 7 p.m. Friday night and the rivalry has been heating up the last two years, but Jones says theyre trying not to get too caught up in it.

Were going to focus on the game and get prepared mentally and be physically ready. Theyre a tough team, but were tough too, Jones said.

Link:
Prep Football: Sutherlin tries to get over the mental hurdle - NRToday.com