Athletes Assert: Bulldogs football looks to continue seasonal success

At the midpoint of the season, the ‘Dawgs football team has jumped out to four wins and only one loss, as they recently fell to a highly ranked Dripping Springs squad in their third district game. With wins over Vista Ridge, Cedar Ridge, Del Valle and Anderson, the Bulldogs have set themselves up for an early playoff berth. 

Aside from Dripping Springs, the ‘Dawgs have been dominating every team they faced. Big wins such as 64-0 against Del Valle and a 34-13 win against Cedar Ridge prove the offense has been electric this whole year, both on the ground and in the air. Senior running back Max Barnes and senior quarterback Connor Kenyon have been the focal point of the ‘Dawgs offense.

Barnes has been running very efficiently, rushing for an average of 127 yards per game and has recorded 11 total touchdowns in the first five games of the season. 

Senior Connor Kenyon, the team’s returning quarterback, has thrown for 1,068 passing yards and 12 touchdowns, all while completing 57% of his passes with a 121.2 quarterback rating.

 Kenyon’s favorite target this year has been breakout senior, Nehemiah Smith-Livingston, who has had 393 yards with six receiving touchdowns. Outside of Smith-Livingston, the rest of the Bowie receiving core has been playing great. Senior Jacob Kastl has brought in 164 receiving yards, averaging 23.4 yards per receptions through three games. Additionally, junior wide receiver Carmine Elisarraraz has been excellent all year, catching 15 receptions for 194 yards and two receiving touchdowns. 

On defense, the Bulldogs have sacked the opposing team’s quarterback 17.5 times and reigned in 28 tackles for loss through the first five games. Leading the ‘Dawgs defense, senior linebacker Brady Bram has had a killer year with 36 total tackles and two sacks. 

Another defensive leader for the ‘Dawgs defense is senior safety Wesley York, who has intercepted the ball three times, which ranks him second in the district for interceptions. 

On the defensive line, senior defensive end Aaron Gall has been an anchor on this defense. With four sacks, 24 total tackles, 10 of which were solo tackles, Gall has been the team’s defensive standout in his final year before continuing his football career at the Colorado School of Mines.

 Now, the ‘Dawgs have five more games, all of which are district match-ups. The remaining games are of great importance, as they determine the playoff seeding and the winner of the district.

 Facing off against Austin High, Johnson, Akins, Westlake, and Lake Travis, the Bulldogs look to capitalize on their upcoming games. 

I project that we will finish the second half of the season with a record of 3-2 (three wins and two losses), with blowout wins over Austin High School and Akins High School. I also think the ‘Dawgs will beat Johnson, winning by one or two touchdowns. Unfortunately, I think the Bulldogs will suffer substantial losses against the Texas high school blue blood, Westlake High School and Lake Travis High School.

Overall, I think we finish the year with a 7-3 record, finishing fourth in the district and squeezing into the playoffs.