Youthful experience to lead ‘Dogs this season
With a roster featuring more freshmen
and sophomores than juniors and
seniors, youth is expected to be a theme
for the GMC Prep Bulldogs in 2020.
While that usually isn’t a promising trait
for a football team, it could be perceived
as better than last year’s theme — inexperience.
This season, head coach
Lee Coleman welcomes back a group
of young guys, many who have gained
experience as underclassmen in 2019.
Two players who embody that are
junior Travion Woods and sophomore
Caleb Bush.
Like many Bulldogs, both players will
be looked toward to contribute on both
sides of the football. Woods will line up
as tight end and linebacker while Bush will be a key target at wide
receiver and a staple in the secondary.
In watching film from last year, Woods was one of the guys who
stood out to his head coach. As a sophomore ‘backer, Woods was
routinely in position, but wasn’t carrying enough weight to bring his
quarry down. That’s changed this year as the now-junior reported to
summer workouts carrying a few more pounds, meaning the expectation
increases this year from simply being in position to finishing the
play.
Speaking of expectations, they are
high for the talented sophomore Bush.
He kicked off his varsity career last year
with a 21-yard touchdown run in GMC
Prep’s opener against Glascock County.
His season was ended early though
after he sustained a broken collarbone
in the Greene County game. The loss
was felt for the rest of that game and the
remainder of the season as the Bulldogs
struggled through the back half of their
schedule.
Bush will line up at a different position
this season as Coleman has moved him
out to wide receiver given the growth of
sophomore quarterback Tyler Saunders.
The Bulldogs’ QB position was in flux last
year as three different guys took snaps, including Saunders. The job
looks to firmly belong to Saunders this season, and his arm strength
has grown in such a way that the GMC Prep head feels comfortable
moving what could be his top offensive threat in Bush to the outside.
He has a good teacher in Coleman who switched from quarterback in
high school to wideout in college.
With guys like Woods and Bush in place for the Bulldogs, maybe
a new standard can be set and the program can get back into the
postseason for the first time in nearly 20 years.
Preparatory School
DEVELOP THE INTELLECT | ELEVATE THE CHARACTER
201 E. Greene Street
Milledgeville, Ga 31061
(478) 387-4878 • www.gmcprep.com
414989-1
24 Football Preview 2020