JASPER —
After showing some grit late before falling to East Chambers last week, the Orangefield Bobcats will head to Jasper to try to take down the surging Bulldogs.
The Bobcats (0-1) dug themselves an early 20-0 hole against East Chambers but rallied to within eight before the clock ran out in a 36-28 loss.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs (1-0) ventured to Liberty and dished out a 49-13 pounding on the Panthers.
Orangefield piled up 398 yards against the Bucs, all of it coming via the ground. Tyron Como picked up 117 yards on 19 carries and quarterback Eric Truncale had 115 yards on 20 totes and Dustin Verrett added 76 yards on six carries.
The Bobcat defense gave up 390 yards, 245 on the ground and 145 in the air.
Jasper comes in with plenty of momentum for first-year head coach Darrell Barbay as they piled up the yardage and took advantage of four Liberty turonvers to post a big opening win.
Jasper, which won District 18-3A last year, returns 15 starters off that unit.
Quarterback Steven Walker returns to lead the offense after he passed for 1,115 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. He has All_District receiver Demarcus Collins to throw to. Collins had 514 yards and eight TDs on just 22 catches.
The Bulldog running game is paced by tailback Donovan Middleton, who returned with 528 yards and six TDs and fullback Dranzell Hayes.
The Bulldog defense is led by the likes of All-District linebackers Haynes and DeAnthony Cuney.
