Football opens spring practice

Whitt Carter

Sulphur Times-Democrat

Football is back; at least for a little while.

Spring practice opened up Monday and with 39 kids suited up, head coach Jim Dixon is anxiously awaiting the 2012 season.

“Our numbers are up,” Dixon said. “We don’t have as many as we have in the past, but we will have more than we had last year.”

After an injury-plagued season seven months ago saw the Dogs finish 4-6, optimism is high, due to the return of numerous key players.

“We’ve got a lot of kids back from last year,” said Dixon. “We had a lot of kids who got to play because of injuries last year, so they got some good experience.”

The Bulldogs return junior(s) QB Ryan Rackley and RB Tanner Watson, as well as senior WR Haydn Rogers, all whom played vital roles during the meat of the district schedule, including a season-ending, home victory over Dickson.

“We had a bunch of kids that had to step up and play last year and I thought they did a really good job,” said Dixon. “We got down here in the last home game against Dickson and pulled one out. The coaches and I were all very proud of them, on the way they finished the season.”

Sulphur opened spring practice on Monday, looking
to improve their 4-6 record from 2011.

Rackley stepped in for injured QB Ty Williams periodically last season and eventually became the starter in the last two district games.

As far as Dixon is concerned, the underclassman has a bright future.

“Rackley is going to be a really, good quarterback,” said Dixon. “He’s tough as nails and he works really hard.”

Watson was a do it all for the Dogs last season, seeing time at RB, WR, LB and most all special teams; impressive for a sophomore.

“Watson is a heckuva good player,” said Dixon. “He did a lot for us last year and he was only a sophomore. He’s going to be a really, good.”

Rogers has been the Bulldogs biggest deep threat at wide out the past two years and according to Dixon, he has gotten even better since this past fall.

“He’s gotten a little bit faster and quicker,” Dixon said. “He’s come a long way and he’s still growing.”

The Bulldogs will practice through next week, a total of eight more practices, to round out a quick spring schedule, but one that Dixon says, is still important.

“We started spring ball a few years ago and it’s helped us out a lot,” said Dixon. “We’re able to get in some good work before school lets out.”

The Bulldogs return a large number of starters (and key players) from last year’s squad; something that Dixon and the rest of the coaching staff is eager about.

“We’ve got about 14 starters back from last year, as well as three or four kids who played a ton for us,” said Dixon.

Spirits are elevated around the Bulldogs camp this spring and Dixon will be the first one to tell you: everyone’s excited for August to get here.

“We’re really optimistic about next year,” said Dixon.