Bulldogs looking to get on track against ‘Horns
Published 8:33 am Wednesday, August 23, 2023
- Star Photo/Larry N. Souders Bulldog quarterback Dylan Trivett (18) hands-off to Domnique Burleson (12) early in the second quarter near mid-field during Friday night's game against Pigeon Forge.
STAR CORRESPONDENT
Hampton head coach Michael Lunsford made no bones about it – his team will be better prepared when it hits the road to take on Johnson County in a non-conference tilt in Mountain City Friday night.
After losing the season opener to Pigeon Forge, Lunsford took the blame for the loss and said that his team will be getting after it this week in practice to be better prepared for a Johnson Co. team that is always tough on the road.
“The first thing that we are going to do is practice harder, which means we are going to be intense and better prepared,” said Lunsford as he looked ahead to Friday’s contest. “Last week’s loss falls on me. We are going to need a great week of preparation while focusing on stopping their quarterback.”
The quarterback Lunsford was referring to is 6’5, 220 pound senior Connor Simcox. Simcox has a cannon for an arm and can throw it a country mile.
“There are a lot of kids that don’t make the throws he can,” said Lunsford. “He can throw it from one side of the field to the other to open receivers. We are going to have to play well in the secondary and just better defensively all around this week.”
Hampton, meanwhile, will counter with senior quarterback Dylan Trivett calling the signals for the ‘Dogs. Trivett will have to count on his wide receivers to step up this week after losing his top receiver in Chance Point last week due to an unknown shoulder injury.
Domnique Burleson and Geno Carrico will also have to lend a hand offensively if the Bulldogs are counting on a road win. Burleson scored one of the two Bulldogs scores in last week’s contest.
“We have to take away the threat of them throwing the football and take away their scoring opportunities defensively,” Lunsford said. “Offensively, we are going to have to take advantage of what their defense is trying to dictate. Losing Chance sort of throws everything out of whack.”
The two teams will strap on the gear for a 7:30 pm kickoff on Coach Harold Arnold Field in Mountain City.
