By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Carl Junction Bulldogs did improve upon last year’s record, but it’s still a long way from their last winning season – 2016 when they went 14-11-1.
The Bulldogs finished 5-19 overall and 0-9 in the Central Ozark Conference last season. In 2020, they went 3-16-1.
“We won five games last year – more than the previous two years,” said coach Ed Miller, who enters his eighth season at Carl Junction. “We lost another game in OT and a couple more one-goal games that could have gone either way.”
Carl Junction loses five players from that team in Trentin Stump, Caleb Gua, Holden Deer, JD Rickey and Chris King.
• Trentin Stump, fullback – Named Class 3 District 6 honorable mention. “He was just a hard-working player that gave you his all every game,” Miller said. “He was a great captain. He remained calm, listened to his teammates and led by example.”
• Caleb Gua, center-mid/center back – Earned first-team all-district honors. “He was a team-first player – whatever position we needed him to play, he did. He was a quiet leader; just went out and played soccer.”
• Holden Deer – “He played outside midfielder and was a four-year player.”
• JD Rickey – “JD played outside fullback and outside midfielder for us.”
• Chris King – Was a second-team all-district honoree. “Chris was the starting keeper last two years and will not be returning.”
CLICK HERE FOR LINKS TO ALL OF OUR FALL PREVIEWS
The Bulldogs return nine players this season in seniors Carsten Bittner (center mid), Jaxon Blackford (fullback), JT Foulk (forward), Jayden Wingo (fullback/outside mid), Nevan Challenger (fullback), Owen Numata (fullback/outside mid), Jaydan Arzett (fullback), junior Quinn Vogel (outside mid) and sophomore Gavin Cowger (center mid).
Miller said the number of players coming out is up to 37, not counting the 15 freshmen coming in.
“Blake Miller is competing with Josh Brown for the starting varsity goalie,” Miller said. “Nolan Couk, a freshman midfielder, is competing for a varsity spot, and Zack Teeter, a freshman fullback, also is competing for a varsity spot.
“We played some summer games with other area high school teams and have had a good turnout with our numbers being up from the last two years. I feel we have a good freshman group coming in.”
Miller said the expectation this season is to compete in every game, improve as the season progresses and improve on last year’s record, as well as on team defense and shape.
“The number of players we have coming out this year should provide us with some depth on both teams,” Miller said. “Scoring goals and being consistent with our play, shape and effort from game to game (will be a challenge).”
DOWNLOAD THE O-ZONE APP NOW!
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FOR APPLE
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID
Carl Junction will host a jamboree with Webb City and College Heights on Aug. 23 before opening the season in the Lebanon Tournament on Aug. 26.
“We start the season with a tournament at Lebanon on the first weekend, so we better be ready to play,” Miller said. “We have nine games in our conference, which I believe is the toughest conference, top to bottom with NO nights off.”
