GRIDIRON GLANCE ‘23: Zephyr Bulldogs

August 16, 2023 at 6:30 am Derrick Stuckly

ZEPHYR – The Zephyr Bulldogs find themselves shifting from the role of the hunters to the hunted in 2023. After posting a winless record in 2021, the Bulldogs won nine games en route to the District 15-A Division II championship last season, and are again projected to be in the hunt for the league title this fall.

The Bulldogs, however, return just one offensive and two defensive starters from last year’s 9-2 squad, so several fresh faces will be tasked with defending Zephyr’s district crown.

“We actually lost a lot, so you’d think we’d be in panic mode, but we have a lot of good, young kids that got experience last year and a good freshman group that had a lot of success in junior high so our expectations are higher than ever,” said Zephyr head coach Jeremy Phillips. “Our numbers are up and the excitement’s up as well so it should be a good season.”

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine projects Zephyr to place second in the 15-A Division II race behind Sidney, but a year ago the Bulldogs weren’t expected to reach the playoffs according to most preseason prognosticators.

“We’re going into it as district champs and we need to take care of business,” Phillips said. “But we also understand that Sidney returns a lot of kids, all six on both sides of the ball. They’re hungry, they have a good coach and they’re very motivated. Blanket also returns a lot and we had a tough matchup with them last year, plus it’s a rivalry. We know it’s not going to be easy, we just have to keep doing what we’re doing, work hard, and improve everyday. It will come down to the last two games of the season for us again.”

Prior to the Oct. 20 home date with Sidney and Nov. 3 road trip to Blanket, the Bulldogs will square off against Gustine and Mullin in district competition. The pre-district slate for Zephyr includes Bronte, Veribest, Waco Eagle Christian, Lohn, Robert Lee and Brookesmith.

“We have to find our identity,” Phillips said of the early season goals. “We have an idea of what we could be good at, but there’s a big difference in that and being able to go out and put it on the field. We have to mature, we have to figure out each individual role and our strengths and weaknesses. Everyday is going to be a learning experience for everybody.”

Among the players to watch this season for Zephyr are seniors Karsen Floyd and Jim Evetts, along with junior Tripp Ballard.

Ballard rushed for 570 yards and 13 touchdowns a year ago, caught two passes for 74 yards and amassed 104 tackles with two interceptions en route to being named Class A Division II Region IV Newcomer of the Year. Floyd chipped in 336 yards and four scores on the ground, eight catches for 240 yards and three trips to the end zone, and 77 tackles with four interceptions as he was an honorable mention all-state choice.

“Tripp was a big play guy for us last year as a move in,” Phillips said. “He brought a lot of excitement on the defensive side of the ball and later moved into a spot on offense when we had some injuries and really proved what he could do. Karsen made some big plays as well, and Jimmy was on the JV for us last year after coming over from Brownwood. He impressed us last year and continued to through the offseason.”

Aside from remaining healthy, Phillips considers the biggest key for the Bulldogs this season in their quest for a district repeat to be, “figuring out who we are. “We’ve got some young kids who need to step up and fill roles left by last year’s seniors, especially on the line. We lost all of those guys and it’s a position we aren’t very deep at, so we have to figure that out in a hurry.”

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ZEPHYR BULLDOGS 2023 VARSITY FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Aug. 24 – at Bronte, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 1 – Veribest , 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 8 – at Waco Eagle Christian, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 15 – Lohn#, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 22 – at Robert Lee, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 29 – Brookesmith, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 6 – Gustine*, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 12 – at Mullin*, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 20 – Sidney*, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 27 – OPEN