Last season was unexpected. Last season was incredible. Last season is over. So, are the Geraldine Bulldogs reloading or rebuilding?

The reigning Region 6 3A champion Geraldine Bulldogs are being closely watched as the 2013 season kicks off. The Bulldogs were a team in every sense of the word in 2012 and Head Coach Tim Arnold is hoping that this years unit can continue the team concept. Geraldine lost a number of starters from last season, including four of their offensive linemen.

However, Geraldine's lone returning starter is the anchor of the hog mollies. All-Region Senior Garrett Mitchell will battle in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Coach Arnold believes that he's stepped in to the leadership role and is flourishing.

"Mitchell is physical and nasty."

- Coach Tim Arnold

The Bulldogs signal caller will be returning starter Junior Jake Maddox (6'0'',-190 lbs). Maddox was thrown into the role after the projected starting QB went down with an injury last season and flourished putting up 686 yards and 9 TDs with a 59% completeion rate.

Senior Devan Totherow (5'10'', 190 lbs), the 2012 Region 6 Defensive Player of the Year, will play a vital role on both sides of the ball. Totherow will command the defense from the middle linebacker position and lead the rushing attack out of the backfield. He already appears in midseason form after racking up 67 yards on 8 carries in the jamboree.

"We know that it's going to take all 26 guys to beat Fyffe, and I believe we're ready."

"Maddox has taken a big step this year and he looks great. He's going to be able to stretch the defense and that's a must. You can't let Fyffe put 10 in the box and expect to be successful running the ball."

- Devan Totherow

The question is, are those key players enough to compensate for a lack of experience all over the field? The schedule didn't do the Bulldogs any favors by opening with Fyffe and Plainview in the first two weeks, but with leaders in place they may be able to endure the growing pains.

Projected Starters:

Offense                                                                             Defense

OL Garrett Mitchell                                                       DL Garrett Mitchell

OL Sawyer Rogers                                                         DL Kolby Rider

OL Ivan Benitez                                                             DL Lujack Cruz

OL Wyatt Williams                                                       DL Colin Kittle

OL Cory Hood                                                                LB Devan Totherow

TE Kolby Rider                                                               LB Sage Cole

WR Jordan Blocker                                                     LB Brandon Bright

RB Devan Totherow                                                     LB Martin Garcia

RB Marcus Davis                                                          DB Jacob Bolin

RB Luke Maddox                                                          DB Marcus Davis

QB Jack Maddox                                                          DB Damion Totherow

Special Teams

K Ivan Benitez

P Jack Maddox

Gameplan: The Geraldine Bulldogs need to rattle the Fyffe Freshman QB and eliminate mistakes.

Season Prediction: The Geraldine Bulldogs will reach the playoffs and make a potentially deep run if they avoid key injuries.