GRIDIRON GLANCE ‘24: Mullin Bulldogs

August 16, 2024 at 7:37 am Derrick Stuckly

MULLIN – After a trying season that resulted in no victories on the field for the Mullin Bulldogs, head coach Thomas Van Zandt is looking to turn things around in his second season in charge of the program.

“We’re a little better numbers-wise, we’re going to have about 10 to 12 suited up,” Van Zandt said. “Seniors, we’re going to be better there, too. We have one this year after zero last year. And I’m an old 11-man coach, this is my second year coaching six-man, so we have more experience on the coaching side. I learned a lot last year.”

Players to watch for the Bulldogs include Jaiden Langford at quarterback and linebacker, Vash Langford at fullback and defensive end, Landen Romero at tight end and defensive end, and Mani Morales at tailback and defensive back.

“We do have some experience under our belts,” Van Zandt said. “Most of the kids are back from last year. We’ve got some size with this group and we’re going to try and use that to our advantage this year.”

The Bulldogs find themselves in District 14-A Division II this year, along with top-ranked Oglesby. But aside from the reigning state runner-up Tigers, Mullin has a fairly favorable draw with league contests against Priddy, Evant, and Cranfills Gap.

Mullin is picked to place fifth in the district by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football behind Oglesby, Cranfills Gap, Priddy, and Evant. The Bulldogs’ toughest district game comes straight out of the gate at Oglesby, followed by a home date with Evant and then the Bulldogs’ open date. The regular season wraps up with a trip to Cranfills Gap and a home date with Priddy.

“It should be a more competitive district,” Van Zandt said. “It’s favorable compared to last year, but we’ll see how some things shake out before we start thinking about that next step.”

Before district action begins, Mullin will battle Brookesmith, Panther Creek, Menard, Moran, Ranger and Lohn with the goal of building confidence and snagging a few victories ahead of league competition.

“I want to see consistency, mistake-free football and we have to learn how to be aggressive,” Van Zandt said of the early season goals.

Regarding the key to a successful season in Mullin, Van Zandt said, “If they can buy in and believe in the philosophy we have this year, and get the mentality we need to have, we have a really good chance to be a decent football team.”

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MULLIN BULLDOGS 2024 SCHEDULE

Aug. 30	at Brookesmith	7:30 p.m.
Sept. 6	at Panther Creek	7:30 p.m.
Sept. 13	Menard	7:30 p.m.
Sept. 20	Moran#	7:30 p.m.
Sept. 27	Ranger	7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4	at Lohn	7:30 p.m.
Oct. 11	at Oglesby*	7:30 p.m.
Oct. 18	Evant*	7:30 p.m.
Oct. 25	OPEN
Nov. 1	at Cranfills Gap*	7:30 p.m.
Nov. 8	Priddy*	7:30 p.m.