GRIDIRON GLANCE ’22: Zephyr Bulldogs

August 16, 2022 at 6:37 am Derrick Stuckly

ZEPHYR – After four seasons of struggles, the Zephyr Bulldogs are hopeful the move to Class A Division II translates to the program’s first postseason berth since 2017. Aiding in the Bulldogs’ quest for a playoff appearance is the largest varsity roster Zephyr has enjoyed in almost the same period of time.

“Our numbers have been low, and we were unlucky enough to be the last one in Division I,” said Zephyr fourth-year Jeremy Phillips. “I told the kids we’re finally where we need to be the next couple of years and it’s time to relearn how to win after being in a district with Lometa and Jonesboro the last couple of years. It’s been a tough ride, but in Division II we’re with schools who have faced similar challenges that we have. I think it’s going to be good for us and help turn things around.”

The Bulldogs had more than 20 players report for preseason practice after barely reaching double figures in student-athletes at points in the last few seasons.

“The last couple of years we’ve been the smallest Division I school in the state of Texas so it’s funny that as we drop down to DII our numbers shoot up and almost double,” Phillips said. “The schedule we put together and the kids we have back from the last couple of years, we expect to be competitive and win some games and at the end of the season be in the running for a playoff spot.”

Further elaborating on the larger roster this season, Phillips said, “It’s incredibly valuable because the last couple of years we haven’t had competition for spots, and when you don’t have competition for spots, kids don’t tend to raise their level up. Now that we have numbers, kids have to be looking over their shoulders to see if someone is ready to take their spot. We’re excited about it, the kids are excited, and I think it’s going to be a good season for us.”

Coming off an 0-10 campaign last season, including an 0-3 district mark, the pre-district schedule sets up nicely for some early win opportunities for the Bulldogs. Zephyr will square off against Bronte, Veribest, Waco Eagle Christian, Lohn, Olfen and Brookesmith prior to the start of league competition.

Regarding the pre-district goals, Phillips listed, “Learning how to win, not getting our heads down when we make mistakes, and improving on our fundamentals. If we can do those things and get rolling by district, having that confidence and improving, the last couple of years after pre-district we knew what was coming with Jonesboro and those teams. It’s hard to keep your head up when you’re struggling and then you have to play one of the best teams in the state. I feel like if we build that confidence up by the time, we get to district we should be fine.”

Players to watch for Zephyr this season include Jayden Millican, Eathan Gowin, Corbin Brown, Waggoner Shelton and Karsen Floyd.

“This is the first year since I’ve been here that we have veteran players,” Phillips said. “It seems like every year since I’ve been here, we haven’t had senior players. We have four seniors we’re going to lean on. Jayden Millican is our all-around athlete. Eathan Gowin is such a hard worker for us, and we expect big things from him. Corbin Brown is coming back from an injury last year and I think he will really help us on the line. Waggoner Shelton as well on the line, we expect big things. In the junior class we have Karsen Floyd who came in last year and helped us and I expect big things from him as well.”

Zephyr will make its district home in the revamped 15-A Division II along with No. 18 Blanket, Mullin, Gustine, and Sidney. According to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, the Bulldogs are picked to place fifth in the league.

“There’s some decent teams in there,” Phillips said. “We’re not going in thinking we’re the top dog on the hill, but I think we can be competitive. You got Blanket, which is probably the top team to look at. Gustine has a good kid coming back, Mullin has a good kid coming back, Sidney is young but athletic. Pretty much everybody in the district has a new coaching staff that we’re going to have to figure out. It’s going to have its challenges, but at least we have the same situation and circumstances that they do.”

Regarding what it will take for Zephyr to make a playoff push this season, Phillips said, “We have to improve on our fundamentals. We lacked fundamentals the last couple of years. We’ve been young, we haven’t had that senior leadership and the kids have been behind from day one. We’ve been working on it the last couple of years, fundamentals are starting to catch up and that’s the most important thing.”

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ZEPHYR BULLDOGS 2022 VARSITY FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Aug. 26	Bronte	7:30 p.m.
Sept. 2	at Veribest	7:30 p.m.
Sept. 9	Waco Eagle Christian	7:30 p.m.
Sept. 16	Lohn	7:30 p.m.
Sept. 23	Olfen#	7:30 p.m.
Sept. 30	at Brookesmith	7:30 p.m.
Oct. 7	at Gustine*	7:30 p.m.
Oct. 14	Mullin*	7:30 p.m.
Oct. 21	at Sidney*	7:30 p.m.
Oct. 28	OPEN
Nov. 4	Blanket*	7:30 p.m.