From the Capital Journal:
The 2017
losing season was the first for the Rossville Bulldawgs since going 4-5 in 2001, which also marked the
last time the program failed to reach the playoffs before last year’s absence.
The two wins marked the fewest in a season since the 1986 team went 0-9.
As tough as last year, was, Rossville really wasn’t that far away
from putting together a solid season. One of the wins came against Class 4A
Division II playoff qualifier Burlington and arguably the best outing of the
season was a 14-0 loss to arch rival Silver Lake, which finished 12-1.
But after finding ways to pull out
victories in tight games during its state-title runs, Rossville couldn’t
replicate that a year ago. The Bulldawgs lost a late lead and fell in overtime
of their district opener with Mission Valley and then suffered a two-point loss
to Council Grove in the district finale.
“We were right there,” Hammes said.
“Our first district game, we were ahead and let it get away from us and that
was kind of the turning point for us. Unfortunately, it wasn’t in a good way.
It’s all a learning experience and I hope those experiences last year were
helpful for us.“
Whereas Rossville only returned
three starters last year, the Bulldawgs enter the 2018 season with a young, yet
experienced bunch. Eight starters are back on offense, while nine return on
defense.
The most glaring hole that needs to
be filled is arguably the most important one, quarterback. The position has
been a star-studded one in recent years with the likes of All-State Top 11
picks Tucker Horak and Jacob Bradshaw and last year’s starter, Sheldon Hulbert
accounted for 2,251 of Rossville’s 2,749 total yards and 18 of the team’s 22
touchdowns.
Rossville spent the offseason with a
trio of candidates to fill those shoes — senior Garrett Carver sophomore Bo
Reeves and freshman Torrey Horak. Carver, who was Hulbert’s back-up last year,
likely has the inside track, but Hammes said all three bring something to the
table.
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