08 Aug 2015 BALD KNOB: Bulldogs looking to battle in 2-3A

Conference: 2-3A
Coach: Randy Johnson
’14 Record: 7-4 (4-3)

The Bald Knob Bulldogs broke a playoff drought last fall, returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2012.

“We finished the year 7-3 and finished fourth in the conference, earning a trip back to the playoffs,” Coach Randy Johnston said. “We had three regular season losses by 11 total points.”

Five starters return on offense. Junior all-conference running back Deshawn Gulledge returns in the backfield. Gulledge rushed for 940 yards and 11 touchdowns a year ago. The Bulldogs boast a talented group of wide receivers in their Spread offense — seniors Jawan Washington and Tremaine Lee and juniors Mason Hickmon and Dominic Harp. Washington had 14 receptions for 260 yards and five touchdowns, and Hickmon had 13 receptions for 202 yards and two touchdowns last fall. Senior Hayden Evans, a 501 Football Team honoree, is a game-changer on the offensive line at tackle. He’ll be joined on the line by classmates Derion Coleman, Dustin Tarwaters and Damon McFarland and junior Drake Miller. The quarterback position is a question mark for the Bulldogs as they head into the season. Senior Seth Johnston was the backup last fall.

Lee, Evans, Coleman and Tarwaters also start on the defensive line. Washington and senior Jacob Gilmore start at outside linebacker. Gilmore averaged 10 tackles per game as a junior. Washington had three interceptions in 2014 and returned two of them for touchdowns. Johnston, Gulledge, Harp and junior Landon Jones round out the Bulldog secondary.