Just how good are the Fairdale Bulldogs? Are they the team that started out 1-3 against the heavier part of their schedule, or are they the team that has steamrolled the softer portion and won six games in a row, including their 53-6 win over Bullitt East Friday?
Coach Matt Wright is a stickler for preparation, and that is why the lopsided losses have turned into lopsided wins. Their margin of victory in their six-game win streak is just under 30.
“The guys are buying into what we’re doing,” Wright said. “We’ve had the mentality that we’re going to get better each day, each week, and then then play the best football we’ve played to that point by Friday. That is our hope, that next Friday will be even better than this one. That only works when you work hard Monday through Thursday. You can’t just show up on Friday and expect to be better.”
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The entire team is clicking. The offense, led by quarterback Dylan Garcia, running back Max Cole and receiver Jaylain Trotter, rolled up 437 yards against Bullitt East despite playing with a running clock the last 18 minutes and attempting just one pass the entire second half. The defense recovered three fumbles and gave up just one big play all game long. The special teams gave up a long kickoff return, but also recovered the ball on a short kick.
“Dylan played great,” Wright said of Garcia, who passed for 186 yards on eight completions. “We ask him to facilitate the team. He’s not a runner. He makes the reads. He makes the throws. And he leads us. Our line has been our strong point all year. We run behind them and how they go, we go. On the other side, my defensive staff does a great job getting these guys ready.”
They’ll have to be against South Oldham. The Dragons and the Dawgs don’t play often, but Wright knows a little about them.
“I know they’re 9-2,” he said. “They’re very good. A disciplined team. They’re very sound in what they do. Momentum is the big thing. I see the points that they’re putting up and they’re not giving up a whole lot of points. Getting up early and making them play from behind will be a huge thing for us.
“It will be another tough week, but everybody is good at this point. It’s just a matter of making ourselves the best that we can be. We’re very excited about how we have been playing.”