HUNTSVILLE LIVING | FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2024 | 23
Bulldogs
grind deep into games .
“ Hunter is a solid back and we will have a stable of running backs to use . With Cade ’ s dual-threat ability it ’ s almost like we have five ,” Schaub said . “ There ’ s been many years we haven ’ t had that depth .” New Waverly ’ s defense is going to be the key to this season . The Bulldogs let up 31.5 points per game in their non-district slate before finally settling down and limiting opponents .
Jackie Harper is a name to look for on the defensive side of the ball . Last year , Harper had 50 tackles and seven sacks for the Bulldogs on the defensive line . He will be paired with Jaxon Hathorn on the line . Add in Henry who made 85 tackles as a safety for New Waverly .
“ Defensively , our motto has been team tackling . Our DC is very OCD about some small things and it ’ s carried over to the kids ,” Schaub said . “ They play hard for him and he ’ s like a firework when he ’ s coaching . The kids have enjoyed the energy .”
But for the offense , it will be the second year under the direction of their respective coordinators . Easton Droddy will implement the offense for the second year while Chad Miller is in year two on the defense .
Both guys are people ’ s people and can relate with the kids and get them to learn the style of play they expect .
“ First of all , I think they relate to the kids and have great chemistry ,” Schaub said . “ The kids have been around and put in the time . Our kids have reacted well with the coaches .”
New Waverly enters this season with a fifth straight playoff appearance on the line . But making the playoffs isn ’ t the end game for them .
Of the four playoff appearances , New Waverly has one playoff win in the stretch . That win was a strong second-half effort that got them to a 64-44 win over Hughes Springs in 2021 .
But each of the last two years the Dogs have finished in third place in the district with a 4-6 record last year and a 7-3 record in 2022 .
“ I don ’ t think we had a successful season winning four games and losing seven . We expect to have a nice showing in the district and make a run . We are not satisfied with just making it . We want to win as many games as we can in postseason play . We want something great to happen ,” Schaub said .
The Bulldogs get their season underway on Aug . 30 with a home game against Teague .
- Story by Colton Foster
HUNTSVILLE LIVING | FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2024 | 23