The Sparta Bulldogs start the new gridiron season with a new coach and some key returning starters at the skill positions.
Last season, Sparta lost the first eight games of the year before pulling out a victory over Red Bud in the season finale.
The Bulldogs have six returning starters on offense and five on defense.
New coach Phil Watson looks to rebuild the Sparta program like he did in Wesclin and has several pieces of the puzzle already in place.
“Our strengths this year will be our athleticism and our team speed,” said Watson. “We won’t be real big, so we will have to take advantage of what we have.”
Blake Shelton (6’ 205 senior) returns for his third year as starting quarterback for the Dawgs.
“Blake is a good leader and is very strong in the pocket,” said Watson. “He has good toughness and can also run with the ball when needed. He has a lot of experience and has a very good arm.”
Preston Nance (5’9 177 senior), Zach Ferguson (5’6 160 junior), London Oliver (5’10 160 junior) and Ethan Renner (5’7 160 senior) will see most of the carries running the football this season.
“These guys have done everything asked of them,” said Watson. “They have given me good effort so far this year and they have worked very hard. We have a good mix of speed and power with these guys. Preston could have a huge year. He has the talent, the power and speed, and if we can keep him healthy, he will be a player that will be hard to contain.”
Senior David Sams (5’7 152) will be the team’s primary receiver, while Michael Hall (5’8 142 senior) will also see some time once he gets back from injury.
“David has very quick moves and is fast off the line,” said Watson. “He has a good vertical and other teams will have a hard time keeping up with him.”
Other players fighting for time at receiver include Dillon Blind (5’10 155 senior), Jeremy Pickett (5’8 150 junior), Matt Wasson (5’9 150 junior), Orlando Oliver (5’9 145 sophomore), Austin Peck (5’11 150 sophomore), Shequel Sleydin (5’5 135 sophomore) and Johnathan Doane (5’6 140 senior).
Returning starter Corey Hale (6’6 280 senior) will be asked to anchor the offensive line for the Bulldogs. Joe Smith (5’10 180 senior), Dillon Aylor (6’4 205 senior), Josh Loyd (6’ 185 senior) and Kirk Henley (6’3 270 junior) will be the other starters up-front on the line.
“Hale and Smith are pretty athletic and Dillon Aylor has real good leverage,” said Watson. “This group as a whole is generally inexperienced. We have simplified a few things for the line to give them some kind of advantage.”
Hale, Smith, Henley and Loyd will all start on the defensive line as well.
“We need these guys to keep their pad level low and they have been learning our gap control defense pretty well,” added Watson.
Shelton will start as middle linebacker for the Dawgs on defense.
“Blake is one of our strongest players and he is the best linebacker we have,” said Watson. “For us to win, Blake has to be a force for us on defense.”
London Oliver will start at the other middle linebacker spot, while Ferguson and Renner will start at the outside linebacker slots.
“Our linebackers are all quick, athletic and will come and hit,” said Watson.
Sparta will be young in the defensive secondary. Sams and Darius Jackson (5’11 165 sophomore) will be starters, while there is still a battle for the remaining spot.
“We are definitely young in the secondary, but we have good speed,” said Watson. “If they can control the big play and help in run support, we should be fine.”
Shelton and Nance will handle the kicking duties for Sparta, while Shelton will also be the team’s punter.
The Bulldogs failed to notch a conference win last season and this season may be just as tough in the Southern Illinois River-to-River Mississippi Division.
“Du Quoin looks to be the early favorite, but Anna-Jonesboro will still be tough as always,” said Watson. “Chester is a hard hitting team that plays very physical and they could be a force in their last year in the conference. Nashville has a great junior class and will be improved and Pinckneyville will be a dangerous team this season as well. The conference battle will be a tough one right from the start.”
Sparta opens up the season on the road against perennial power Columbia Friday night. Columbia was a state semifinalist in 3A last season.
