After going 0-9 last season, the Sparta Bulldogs look to find a winning formula on the football field.
The Dawgs return six starters on offense and five on defense.
“We have some quickness at almost every position,” said Sparta coach Phil Watson. “We have to take advantage of our speed because we won’t be very big. These kids do have tenacity and they really hit the weights hard this past summer getting ready.”
Junior Darius Jackson (6’, 175) is back at quarterback after starting half the season there following Blake Shelton’s injury. “Darius is getting better each day,” said Watson. “He has good size and good speed for a quarterback. His decision making is also improving. I look forward to a pretty good season out of Darius this year.”
Sparta has a stable of fast running backs that will be used in rotation led by returning starters seniors London Oliver (5’11, 160) and Zach Ferguson (5’6, 175). Seniors Jeremy Pickett (5’9, 160) and Seth Buch (5’8, 160) along with junior Shequel Sleydin will also get carries.
“This group is very quick, but they are also hard-nosed players,” said Watson. We will have to try and rotate as many of them in and out as we can because all of them will be playing both sides of the ball.”
The Dawgs will boast a tall receiving group with seniors Weslen Kiner (6’4, 190) and Carl Lobdell (5’10, 140) along with Wesclin transfer, junior Alek Sopiars (6’2, 190) and junior Orlando Oliver (6’, 150).
“We definitely have good size receivers,” said Watson. “We will go out and try to find mismatches in the secondary. These guys also block well which we stress in our offensive attack.”
Senior Kirk Henley (6’4, 270) is a returning starter on the offensive line at tackle while sophomore Luke Henley (6’, 255) will start at the other tackle position.
Sophomore Tyler Adams (5’8, 200) will start at guard as will senior Matt Wasson (5’10, 160). Junior Ian Wolter (5’10, 185) moves from fullback to center.
“We are not real big on the line, but we are very intelligent,” added Watson. “All five starters have good GPAs and they don’t seem to miss blocks or commit penalties.”
On defense, the Bulldogs are relying on their speed to make up for their lack of size.
Pickett and Kiner will start at the defensive end positions while Buch will start at nose guard and Kirk Henley at defensive tackle.

“We have a really quick end in Pickett and then we have one that is extremely tall in Kiner,” said Watson. “Buch is undersized for a lineman but he is strong for his size and is extremely quick off the ball. Kirk will be our anchor up front.”
London Oliver and junior Josh Reese will start at the outside linebacker spots while Ferguson, Wolter and Sleydin will also see plenty of time.
The cornerback starters will be Orlando Oliver and Lobdell with Jackson at the safety position.
“We will be very quick in the secondary while our linebackers will also be quick but a little undersized,” added Watson. “I like our mix of quickness and size up front. If we can stay healthy we can surprise a few teams.”
Sparta is looking to notch its first conference win in over two years this season in a new look SIRR Mississippi Division.
“Carterville has always be known as a very quick team, while Chester was hard-nosed and physical,” said Watson. “In this conference, you just trade one poison for another. Nashville returns everyone and is very big up front and has speed in the backfield. Du Quoin is always going to be tough and Anna-Jonesboro will once again be a challenge. Carterville will be right in the mix. Pinckneyville has a few weapons back and they will also be better. It will once again be hard sledding in the conference.”
Sparta hosts Columbia Friday night to open up the 2010 season. The Dawgs will then travel to Benton before coming back home to take on Murphysboro.