The Winder-Barrow High School football team will look to regroup and get into the win column when the Bulldoggs travel to Salem High School this Friday.
WBHS took one on the chin for the second week in a row last Friday, falling to Gainesville 69-0 at W. Clair Harris Stadium. It was the first home game of 2012 for the Bulldoggs.
The WBHS team will be on the road for the third time in four contests this week as it makes the trek to Conyers to battle the Salem Seminoles.
The Bulldogg coaches went back to work immediately after Friday’s setback to begin preparing for Salem.
“Salem bases their offense out of the Wing-T, but they run it out of the shotgun formation,” said WBHS defensive coordinator Stanley Allen. “They have some speed, but I think we can handle it. They are a true Delaware Wing-T team. Coach (Frank) Caputo is their offensive coordinator and I have coached against them several times. They will be disciplined and will execute well. We will have a few different wrinkles on defense to try to stop their offense.”
Statistical leaders for WBHS through its first three games include Chandon Sullivan (16 carries for 84 yards), Christian Hodge (25 carries for 58 yards and one touchdown), Devin Nash (18 carries for 52 yards) and Cole Baggett (nine carries for 51 yards.) Audre Scott has compiled 43 yards on 14 attempts with a touchdown.
The Salem Seminoles are coming off a 21-7 loss to county rival Heritage, the No. 10 team in Class AAAAA once again this week.
After facing opponents more resembling a track team during the past two weeks, WBHS coach David Wagner is expecting things to slow down a bit this Friday during the matchup in Conyers.
“Salem is fast, but I don’t know if they compare to Monroe or Gainesville,” Wagner said. “That’s not a knock on Salem. Most teams aren’t going to have that type of speed. Still, Salem is a solid team and battled a very good Heritage team last week.”
After defeating Rockdale County in their season opener, the Seminoles have slipped to 1-2 following setbacks to Wesleyan and Heritage. Wagner said those are two quality opponents.
With the WBHS Bulldoggs coming off two one-sided games which resulted in defeats, Wagner said he was not that concerned about the confidence level of his players.
“They have had to deal with negative things,” Wagner said. “The negative isn’t coming from the coaches because we try to stay positive and build their confidence up. We have done a good job of staying positive inside the program. Our football team is like a family. You can’t let outside things affect you.”
The WBHS coaches hope to be at least near full strength this Friday. Several injuries have taken their toll on the team’s depth chart.
“We probably won’t have everyone back,” Wagner said. “We just hope to get some back.”
Concerning the team’s confidence level, Wagner knows a win Friday would take care of any issue involving that.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. for the 8-AAAAA clash.
