Strength in numbers benefits 2019 Fulton High Bulldogs

Bulldog Coach Harold Hutcherson and his Assistant Coaches Kenneth Irvine, Chris Mason and Brad Rozzell believe there is strength in numbers and this year, the high school football team has both.

With a 2019 roster featuring 17 players, including a couple of team members who are in the process of completing the paperwork for a physical, this year’s Fulton Bulldogs will not have to settle for an eight-on-eight or nine-on-nine scrimmage, so to speak, on Friday nights.

“We had a core group who played last year, who fought to the end, no matter who we were playing or how many were on the field. I think those players came together, and others began to see what working together could accomplish,” Coach Hutcherson said, in explaining the increase in numbers.

Another advantage this year’s team will have, according to the Head Coach, is that in the off season, more dedication to conditioning was exhibited, as on the average 11-12 consistently made the effort to come for work outs.

Emerging as team leaders, Zion Yisreal, a senior and Kire Tribble, a Junior have stepped up, Hutcherson said, taking it upon themselves to motivate other team members, as well as assist the coaching staff each practice.

Yisreal, Tribble, Jordan Lannom, Travail Morgan, Ladarious Colby, Jakiran Donald, Blake Nicholas and Hunter Hayes will return to the field for the Bulldogs, coming off the 2018 season, each accustomed to playing on both sides of the football.

Camarae Cobb, a sophomore, will Quarterback the Bulldogs, a position he exited early in the 2018 season after an injury.

Lannom will be the team’s main running back, Hutcherson said, and defensively, Gaylon Butler will man the middle linebacker post, Yisreal will check in as linebacker and defensive tackle, with Tribble and Colby as defensive ends.

With a full schedule, the Bruceton game will be test, and cross county/cross town rivalries versus Fulton County and South Fulton generate excitement, and adrenaline, for both the teams and communities, he said.

As to goals, while the Bulldogs have two more years, after the 2019 season, to build numbers and return to district standing eligibility, Coach Hutcherson hopes to see a fighting spirit rekindled in the team this year, with a focus on physicality.

“Hit before you get hit,” he said.

He sees the team’s strengths in their defense, with the implementation of extensive drills to “get to the ball”.

Offensively, there are players inserted into unfamiliar positions, but according to Hutcherson, the attitude is good, and the offense is making progress.

As to challenges, “Some big guys are going up on both sides of the ball. Luckily, we do have the numbers to give them a break this year,” he said.