By Chris Parker
Johnathan Stark enters his second season as head coach of the El Dorado Springs football program. The Bulldogs finished 1-9 last season, but Stark expects improvement in Year 2.
“This season our team is much stronger and faster than we were a year ago. A full offseason in the weight room has done us wonders,” Stark said. “Our team chemistry has also improved and it should make this a very fun season.”
Five offensive starters return including a pair of first-team all-conference selections in running back Landon Murry and offensive lineman Brandon Garner-Sims.
Murry will be joined in the backfield by Trey Beisley, Ben Schmidt and Connor Bradley.
Rees McCullough, Matthew Esparza, Tag Gurley, Jed Simpson, Ryland Brower, Noah Steward, and Dylan Whitesell will all compete for playing time on the offensive line. Gurley was a second-team all-conference selection at tight end last season.
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Aidan Rotert will handle the quarterback duties with Brett Alexander and Maverick Mitchell being his top targets at wide receiver and tight end.
Defensively, seven starters return.
Rees McCullough, Matthew Esparza, Tag Gurley, Jed Simpson, Ryland Brower, and Dylan Whitesell will be on the defensive line. Ben Schmidt, Blake Esparza and Trey Beisley will handle the second level at linebacker. The secondary will feature Landon Murry, Aidan Rotert, Maverick Mitchell, Connor Bradley, Marcus Mossman and Brett Alexander.
El Dorado Springs will travel to Diamond for a jamboree on Aug. 18 with Diamond, Miller and East Newton. The Bulldogs will open the regular season on Aug. 25 at Forsyth.
“I’d like to see our team continue to grow and improve in the areas of trust, hard work, and accountability,” Stark said.
