MINCO BULLDOGS

Coach: BROCK WARDLAW

8-3

OFFENSE

The Bulldogs are returning a plethora of seniors this season after going 8-3 last year. Head coach Brock Wardlaw is excited to see what this team can accomplish with this level of experience returning to the field. “Our team has a lot of experience returning on both sides the ball. We will be a senior led team that is looking forward to a big season,” said coach Wardlaw. Nine starters are back on offense including Reed McMurtrey (6-0, 170, Sr.) who threw for 1,435 yards and 17 touchdowns with 600 yards rushing and seven scores on the ground. McMurtrey has one of his favorite targets returning in Ben Burchfield (6-1, 175, Sr.) who caught six touchdowns and 430 yards as a junior. Klayton Hughes (5-10, 175, Sr.) is another wide out who scored five TDs and went for 415 yards last season. The running game features Noah Johnson (5-8, 165, Sr.) who rushed for 590 yards and five scores last season. VYPE Top 100 player Eli Kirkes (6-4, 330, Sr.) is back for his final season of prep ball before taking his talents to the next level.

DEFENSE

The Bulldogs defense returns eight starters including Ashton Taylor (6-3, 215, Sr.) who recorded 62 tackles, eight sacks and 12 tackles for loss. Taylor will start at end while Jake Carruth (5-8, 185, Sr.) returns at linebacker where is production was off the charts. Carruth accounted for 87 tackles, three sacks and five TFLs. Sebastian Valdez (5-10, 170, So.) is a young, exciting player at linebacker who grabbed 47 tackles and one interception as a freshman a year ago. Zac Willmon (5-8, 235, Sr.) is tough to stop inside on the defensive line. Willmon nabbed three sacks and 24 tackles in 2022. Defensive back Carson Littlejohn (6-1, 175, Jr.) continues to improve after his sophomore campaign when he made 37 tackles and two INTs. Also look for Carter Pate (5-9, 165, Sr.) at linebacker and defensive end. Pate made 46 tackles and four sacks and will fly to the ball. Expect very physical play in the trenches from the Bulldogs.

SCHEDULE

8-25 – vs. Dibble

9-1 – at Mooreland

9-8 – at Apache

9-15 – vs. Merritt

9-22 – at Cashion

9-29 – vs. Watonga

10-6 – at Christian Heritage

10-13 – OPEN

10-19 – at Hinton

10-27 – vs. Crescent

11-3 – vs. Casady