"Enough is Enough": More Experienced Bulldogs Eyeing Turnaround in New District

BRADY, TX-- The Brady Bulldogs took more than a fair share of hits in 2017.

A coaching change brought a mass exodus of seniors and upperclassmen to their football team. That meant the Bulldogs had to use mostly freshmen and sophomores on their varsity team. The experience from the 2017 football season turned out to be invaluable for the Bulldogs.

In the spring of 2018, the Bulldogs claimed five district championships and six runner-up finishes, including the first-ever district championship in baseball. That baseball team had most of the same freshmen and sophomores. The Bulldogs also made it to the State 7-on-7 tournament over the summer.

Second year head coach Shay Easterwood thinks that taste for winning will boost the Bulldogs in 2018.

“It showed a lot,” Easterwood said. “Our kids have kind of got that taste for winning back. It’s really motivated them to go hard and to really strive to reach the goals their after. They are a lot different group this year. They’re a year older and more mature.”

Easterwood added his team has an “enough is enough” mentality because they have “been through the fire.”

After the transfer of quarterback Tyler Vaughn to Ballinger, the Bulldogs are still in good shape with nine starters returning on both sides of the ball. That includes 1,000-yard rusher Ryan Decker.

“That’s a great deal to have a player such as Ryan Decker coming back,” Easterwood said. “He’s a kid who works hard in the weightroom. He’s a blessing to have back.”

But Decker isn’t the focal point of the team is Easterwood’s eyes.

“We feel one of our strengths is It’s not going to just be the Ryan Decker show,” Easterwood added. “We have other athletes that we’re going to equally distribute the ball to. Cole Bryant, Jack Marshall, Gonzalo Morales, Walker Bauer...I could just go on and on. So, we’re pretty balanced as far as our skill guys are concerned.”

Bryant and Bauer are the guys Easterwood has seen step into the void left with Vaughn’s transfer. Easterwood said both guys are preparing to be the starter through camp.

“We’ll make that call when our offensive coordinator is ready to name the starters,” Easterwood said. “They both have their skill sets that they’re good at. We’ve kind of tweaked our offense and we’re going back to the basics. We’re mixing in a couple of different things. It fits those kid’s skill sets really good. We’re really excited about that.”

Easterwood also praised Bryant for an 80-yard run on the first play of their inter-squad scrimmage.

“That kind of shows you a little of what his skill set is,” Easterwood smiled.

Easterwood also commended Bauer for his passing ability and the ability to balance being a running back when he’s not taking snaps.

“We’re very fortunate to have an equal distribution of skill guys,” Easterwood added.

The Bulldogs were placed in District 13-3A Division II with Sonora. Blanco and Johnson City were the only other playoff teams from last year, leaving the district’s playoff spots wide open.

With their growth in the offseason, the Bulldogs are eager to challenge for a playoff spot.

“They’ve been really excited about it,” Easterwood said. “They’ve really worked hard this offseason...They really are hungry to make this season different than last year. [The district] will be challenging in its own right, but we feel like we can compete there.”

The Bulldogs open the season against Ballinger and former coach Chuck Lipsey on Friday, Aug. 31, in Brady.