The 2020 Region Champions, Claiborne Bulldogs football is using summer practices and weight lifting to prepare new players to fill the huge empty spots left over from graduation turnover. Although the task of finding those players may seem difficult the coaches are optimistic that the players will step in and do a great job.
When asked if the team is making progress going into the dead period Coach Nathan Medlin had this to say, “I don’t know if any coach is really happy with where their team is at this moment. The boys are working hard and we have been hitting the weights hard trying to get them in shape before the dead period. When they come back from it they will be putting on pads. It’s hard to not see those players who were in that locker room for the last four years but the players in there must step up and fill those spots.”
Medlin continued, “It’s a different team but sometimes different isn’t always bad. We have had several so-called surprises if that’s the word to use. We have several players who haven’t played football step in and are looking good while we have returning players like Trey Smith, Ethan Short, Dalton Long, Justin Robertson and others that have came back and are going to fill spots on the offensive line. They have been here every day and are working extremely hard.”
Medlin also spoke about the skilled positions, “Daniel Eversole is stepping into the quarterback position and Josh Bolton’s leadership has been outstanding. Tyrell Miles and Cole Jones are making a huge impact for us playing secondary and receiver. We added Jake Smith and he’s doing a great job. We still have some older returning players such as James Satkowski. He feels like he’s been here six years but we have a great group and we are trying to add numbers right now to the team.”
The Bulldogs first scheduled game against Hancock got canceled due to their low number of players and Coach Medlin can relate, “I spoke with Coach Gibbs and I felt bad for him. He tried hard to get kids out and they just wasn’t showing up so I understand because it wasn’t that long ago we didn’t know if we would have enough to play. Thomas Walker stepped in and we were lucky to have them. Its hard to schedule a game in June but they stepped up and helped us out.”
“Overall I’m happy with where this team is at now but as a coach I want more. I want them to get stronger, faster and better but we also want them to be kids during the summer and enjoy their time away from school.”
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