Prepzone Pigskin Preview 2017

FRIENDBULLDOGS
By: Joe Musso
Last season, the Friend Bulldogs
earned a spot in the Class D2
state playoffs following a solid
7-1 regular season. But first
round opponent and eventual
champion Falls City Sacred
Heart served the Dogs a 75-0
first round drubbing. A loss that
has lingered with the program
all off-season.
Head coach Jim Pfeiffer believes
that this year’s team can be
something special.
“Our seniors have played a
lot of football the past two
seasons,” Pfeiffer said. “They
had decent success last year
and are already talking about
next year and what they hope to
accomplish. As a group they’ve
demonstrated great leadership.”
That leadership comes in
the form of eleven returning
letterwinners and five returning
starters on both sides of the
ball. The Bulldog offense will
be led by second year starting
quarterback Kyle Dickinson.
The senior QB hopes to have a
breakout season with one year
of experience already under his
belt.
The Bulldogs also return the
rest of their backfield. The twoheaded
monster of senior Kolby
Houlden and junior Edwen
Baptista will carry the load for
the Friend rushing attack. The
tailback tandem has five years
of starting experience between
them.
Friend runs a traditional twoback
I-formation offense. Last
year the Bulldogs rushed for
207 yards per game and passed
for 74. The run-first approach
helped Friend control game
tempo with an offense that
averaged 38 points per game.
The Bulldogs run a hybrid 3-4
defensive concept, a point of
emphasis coming into 2016.
Friend found themselves in a
number of shootouts last year,
allowing opposing offenses 32
points per game.
“The key to a successful season
will be the development of
depth at all positions and the
growth of our lineman,” Pfeiffer
said. “We expect to have 15 or
16 kids out so our young kids
will need to develop quickly in
order for us to have success.”
2017 SCHEDULE
8/25 @ Pawnee City
9/8 Sterling
9/15 @ Lawrence-Nelson
9/22 @ Exeter-Milligan
9/29 Mead
10/6 Diller-Odell
10/13 @ Weeping Water
10/19 Parkview Christian
factors in the Bulldogs’ success
this season.
The Bulldogs have reached the
postseason five of the last seven
seasons but have only been able
to notch five wins in the five
trips. Friend has never won a
state title.
The Bulldogs kick off their
season on the road versus
Pawnee City.
Key Players:
Kyle Dickinson (6’2” 165 lbs) Sr.
QB
Edwen Baptista (5’10” 180 lbs)
Jr. RB/LB
Jared Lawver (5’11” 165 lbs) Sr.
LB
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TEAM FACTS
Team Name: Bulldogs
Class: D2
2016 Record: 7-2
Playoff Appearances: 13
Head Coach: Jim Pfeiffer
Career Record: 0-0
Assistant Coaches: Jake Clouse,
Clayton Moore and Adam Smith
Coach Pfeiffer tabbed a number
of guys to keep an eye on.
Senior Ray Sharkey was a
quality back-up for the Bulldog
line last season but will adopt a
starting role this year. Sharkey
is an impressive 6-foot-2,
235-pounds. Slater Wells is also
expected to fill a vacancy on
both the offensive and defensive
lines. Pfeiffer believes both of
the up-and-comers will be key
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