GOOD NEWS: Bulldogs ready to take the first step under new coach…

The Bulldogs will take the field on the first day of the 2024 football season under the direction of a new head coach for the first time in seven years. Scott Rich, a former assistant coach at Katy High School, took over the team in February. The team finished 4-7 overall and 4-3 in district play the previous year.

After one week of training, Rich admitted that his team still needs to improve if they hope to be competitive when the season opens on August 30 against Lumberton. In addition, the Bulldogs compete against West Orange-Stark and Silsbee in non-district play.On September 27, they will host Splendora to begin district play.

“From Day 1, we talked about being at a certain level,” Rich said. “It is a daily process to get better. I am never going to be satisfied with where we are. That was the way I was mentored and brought up. Even when we are looking good and everyone thinks we are looking good, I am not going to think it is good enough. That is just the way it is.”

Rich said he wants his team to be able to react while they are on the field.

“We always say we want to do a thousand reps,” he said. “It seems like we run things a bunch of times. You don’t have to run a bunch of stuff. You just have to run the stuff you do well.”

The Bulldogs will not overlook any opponent, Rich said, when asked about any potential added motivation with the rival and state champion Port Neches-Groves in the same district.