MILLSAP BULLDOGS
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If someone gets injured , that is just an opportunity for someone to step up . Sometimes that is all a kid needs , an opportunity to go show what they can do . the coaches do the coaching . Your job is to go and encourage your brothers , lift them up , lift each other up .”
This year ’ s Bulldog squad will look a bit different , losing multiple starters last year to graduation . But don ’ t count them out .
“ I think this team has something to prove ,” Johnson . “ They want to show that , ‘ hey those guys that graduated were great players , and we respect and love the past , but now it is our turn and just wait and see what we can do .’ So I am excited about that , I think they are going to have a little bit of a chip on their shoulder .
“ I like that , I am excited to see what they do .”
When trying to figure out who should replace those seniors , Johnson and the coaching staff look at multiple factors outside of skills .
“ If someone gets injured , that is just an opportunity for someone to step up ,” he said . “ Sometimes that is all a kid needs , an opportunity to go show what they can do .”
The Bulldogs do have some holes to fill , but many of them will be occupied by a talented and hungry group of 13 seniors , many who racked up All-District or All-State accolades last year . Other things factor in : experience at the JV level , practice performance and summer attendance , among them .
“ Those are the guys that are going to get first shot to fill those holes ,” Johnson said . “ I don ’ t know if you ever truly replace anybody . What we try to do is , we have our system and we look for the next man to step up , and we look at what are their strengths , what are they good at . Then we try and put them into
30 FIRST DOWN !