#HSFT21 Stop #52 – New Albany Bulldogs

NEW ALBANY, Miss. (WCBI) – The New Albany Bulldogs look to bring the bite and the bark in 2021. New Albany lost the season opener to Pontotoc last season by 3 points. A loss that some players believe set the tone for the season. Ultimately, the Bulldogs finished with a 5-4 record. This year though, they have a different plan in mind.

“These guys have worked hard,” head coach Cody Stubblefield said. “Those that are still around have been through the process. I think they believe they can compete with whoever we’re against.” “We’re preaching 48 minutes just to go the whole game,” senior quarterback Joe Mathis said. “Four quarters. Gotta bring it all.” “The team as a whole is going to have more fun than last year,” senior wide receiver and safety Cameron Knox said. “I feel like we’ll play better as a team going out there having fun.”

One way to have fun is by putting up points! New Albany brings back the players on offense who can do just that. Senior quarterback Joe Mathis threw for over eleven hundred yards and 19 touchdowns last season. Now, the Bulldogs will lean on the skill and experience he brings to the table one more season. “We’re very fortunate to have our quarterback back,” Stubblefield said. “He was a top quarterback in the division last season. Joe. The first time in a while, we have a quarterback coming back, so it’s exciting. He’s already been through the offense.” “It really helps me out a lot because he knows where I want the ball,” Knox said. “We’ve grown more chemistry over the seasons and over the past years, so I think we’ll do good with him back.”

It helps when you have bruising running back C.J. Hill returning to the backfield. New Albany also brings back perimeter threat Cameron Knox. Those guys and a tough offensive line give the Bulldogs the tools needed to be dynamic on offense. “It feels amazing knowing that I have those guys that know this offense like the back of their hand,” Mathis said. “I can trust them completely. I can get the ball to C.J., and he can tote it. I can get the ball to Cam quick out in space, and he can do something with it too.” “A lot of confidence heading into these upcoming games,” senior lineman Milton Regalado said. “For sure. We’ll show out this year.

We can’t forget to mention the defense. Former Tupelo head coach, second-year defensive coordinator Trent Hammond pulls strings on D. The group is stingy. Last season, the Bulldogs had five games where opponents scored 14 points or less. This year the defense looks to replicate that. “We’re going to be dominant with Coach Hammond showing all these young players how to play, especially the linebackers,” Regalado said. “They don’t care if they are down the field. They gone give it all.” “We have two middle linebackers that will get after it,” Mathis said. “But, those dogs at outside linebacker want to hit somebody! That’s what I found out about them. They want to hit somebody.” New Albany’s season opener will be at home against East Union on August 27th.