On paper, the Winder-Barrow High School football team has cause for optimism for 2010.
The players now have another year of the current offensive and defensive schemes under their belts and a revamped region could benefit the Bulldoggs. Only three starters will be lost on the defensive side of the football and improving that area will be a top priority for coach Ben Corley and his staff.
However, Corley is also quick to point out neither he nor his returning players will rely on outside factors for improvement. They are going about it the old-fashioned way: hard work.
“We are going back to the weight room with a renewed sense of commitment to improve our strength and speed,” Corley said. “If we can make the same kind of gains between now and next season as we did last offseason, we will be much better.”
Corley, who recently completed his second season as WBHS head coach, said his Bulldoggs were improved in 2009 but several other Region 8-AAAA members were also better.
“We had several close games that didn’t go our way,” the coach said. “If we could have won some of those, especially early, our confidence would have been in a different place. By not doing that, we fell back into the tough part of our schedule.”
Despite finishing 2-8, a mark below the expectations set in the preseason, Corley said he was proud of the effort his players gave in 2009.
“I am proud of the commitment they have shown,” he said. “They never backed down, they never quit. It’s something we have to build on.”
WBHS will remain in AAAA for the next two years although the region the Bulldoggs compete in will be somewhat different.
For now, Corley is not concerned with which teams will be in the region with Winder-Barrow. He is simply concentrating on a high level of hard work this offseason.
“They are going to have to be willing to put in the time and effort to be successful at a higher level,” the coach said. “We have high expectations for next year. That is not going to happen unless we put in the hours of work necessary. This is the time it all starts. This is when you begin being succesful.”
Corley noted the offense did make improvements in 2009 with a record-setting quarterback (Christian Davila) and record-setting receiver (Trent Demeritte.) Davila will return next fall although Demeritte will have to be replaced.
