DISTRICT 17-3A DII
The Bulldog Way
From Staff Reports
Head Coach: Andy Mills
2019 record: 6-5
Last Playoff Appearance: 2019
RICE — They’re not cocky or overconfident
at Rice.
Not here, where the bottom line is all about
hard work and fundamentals, and doing things
the Bulldog Way.
Those traits and that attitude are the exact
reason why once again these Bulldogs feel
good going into the 2020 season.
It’s just impossible not to be confident after
you have been in the playoffs for four years in
a row.
“We’re looking to have another good year,”
said Jerry Montgomery, a two-way starter
who is one of the keys to that big season. “We
always have a good year.’’
Everything changed at Rice when head
coach Andy Mills and defensive coordinator
Michael Scott showed up in 2015 and turned
the program around, and now Montgomery
and every senior at Rice is simply used to
making it to the postseason. That’s the plan
again. The Bulldogs return at least eight
starters on each side of the ball, including
several two-way players, and every player who
walks on the field for the Bulldogs knows the
importance of winning — and more significantly
— they know the importance in how to
prepare to win.
Texas Football magazine picks the Bulldogs
as the preseason No, 3 team in the District
7-3A DII race behind Palmer and Edgewood,
but Mills knows it will be another dogfight
to get there, especially against Golden Circle
rivals from Mildred and Blooming Grove, two
improved teams that will play their best games
of the year against Rice, which has beaten
both four years in a row.
“I think last year with Buffalo in the district
is came down to three teams (Rice, Mildred
and Blooming Grove) going for the fourth
spot. This year with Buffalo out of the district
I think it’s four teams (Rice, Mildred, Blooming
Grove and Scurry-Rosser) fighting for two
spots.”
Mills’ kids not only know how to win, but
they know how to win the games that count.
None were bigger last year than their 33-25
overtime victory against Blooming Grove and
their biggest win of the year against their biggest
rival — a 40-22 victory against Mildred.
Scurry-Rosser played Rice tough, but the
Bulldogs prevailed 36-29.
Mills knows he must replace QB Tanner
Carlisle, a three-year starter and leader, and
Elizhah Nezar, an electric player who could
change a game at receiver or in the secondary,
where he made one big play after another.
Going into summer workouts Zack Myers and
Josiah Morris were the top candidates at quarterback,
and Morris could also play receiver.
Mills believes his running game will be better
this season with Montgomery and Tommy
Bernal, who ran for 330 yards in five games
last year, leading the way. Montgomery also
ran for more than 300 yards last year and both
running backs’ numbers are expected to go up.
“They have different styles, but both are
good running backs and both are very coachable,”
Mills said. “Our backfield is our strength
“I think our backfield is in real good shape
and our line is improved,” Mills said. “We do
like to run the ball.’’
Angel Banda, a three-year starter and alldistrict
and All-Golden Circle two-way lineman,
is back to anchor both sides of the line.
Jakobe Jessie, a talented junior wide receiver
with speed and real good hands, could be a
breakout player on offense.
Rice should be good up front with right
tackle Banda and left tackle Taylor Hrnjak
returning and guard/center Ethan Gray, who
played about two-thirds of the time last year,
and Jonathan Conner, who also played last
season, all back to lead the way ,
Montgomery, who was the Golden Circle
Co-winner of the Randy Green Heart award,
will be a leader on defense as well. Montgomery,
a fierce and determined linebacker who
made 33 tackles and three sacks, and Banda,
were both first-team all-district players for
a defense that was led and ignited by Brycen
Clark, who had a remarkable season at
linebacker, and was the GC Defensive Player
of the Year.
Clark was relentless and everywhere on the
field. He finished the season with 96 tackles,
including a dozen for losses and came through
with six sacks and intercepted three passes.
He’s back hoping for even a bigger season for
2019 SCHEDULE
Groesbeck W 23 - 20
Rio Vista W 52 - 12
at Crawford L 28 - 7
Palmer* L 39 - 0
at Blooming Grove*
W 33-25 OT
at Buffalo* L 63 - 20
Mildred* W 40 - 22
at Edgewood* L 25 - 0
Scurry-Rosser* W 36 - 29
at Gateway Charter* W 48 - 8
Lexington** L 40 - 8
*District Game
2020 SCHEDULE
Chilton Aug. 28
At Groesbeck Sept. 4
At Italy Sept. 11
Kerens Sept. 18
Palmer * Sept. 25
At Dallas Gateway * Oct. 2
Bye Week Oct. 9
Mildred * Oct. 16
At Edgewood * Oct. 23
Scurry-Rosser * Oct. 30
At Blooming Grove * Nov. 6
*District Game
Scott’s defense that has made a name for itself
over the years as a swarming, no-quit D. That
defensive unit is expected to be even better
this year and could be the driving for for a run
in the playoffs.
The Bulldogs have to get there first — but
then again, they sure know the way ...
“We have experience,” Mills said. “We know
what it takes to get to the playoffs. Hopefully,
we can follow that same formula.”
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