Pre-Season Playoff Predictions: Bay Springs Football
The Bay Springs Bulldogs were last year’s 1A Champions proving that they are the best team in the 1A division. Will they win the title of champions once more this year? Here is a breakdown of the program, notable returning…
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Continue ReadingThe Bay Springs Bulldogs were last year’s 1A Champions proving that they are the best team in the 1A division. Will they win the title of champions once more this year? Here is a breakdown of the program, notable returning athletes, and some key factors that may decide how they fare this year.
Bay Springs Bulldogs 12-1 Overall 7-0 District
Head Coach Dan Brady
The Bulldogs are a team that generally wins their contests by quite the noticeable margin, leading to them winning all but one game in 2021. Their powerful offense and steel curtain defense held their opponents to only 76 points for the season while scoring 474 points themselves. There have been a few contests in 2021 where their opponents were able to be within a few touchdowns however, for the most part, the winner of the game was well decided by the 3rd Quarter. Will the Bay Springs Bulldogs be able to repeat their performance from last year? To answer this we will take a look at the returning players and their potential impact on the team’s trajectory.
Notable Returning Athletes:
The Bulldogs were able to retain many of their impact athletes from last year. Here are a few notable athletes who will be certain to make a difference in 2022.
Anthony Newell, 5-7 162, QB, Class of 2023
Anthony will most likely be the signal caller for the bulldogs this year. Although Bay Springs does not appear to favor the passing attack Anthony will still be effective in the play-action game and the quick-screen game. This past season Anthony displayed a healthy 56% completion rate for 11 touchdowns and no interceptions. Anthony also possesses the ability to be an elusive ball carrier therefore his contribution to the team’s success will be twofold. If he can continue to produce the Bulldogs certainly have a chance of playoffs this year.
Anthony Ross, 5-9 180 RB, Class of 2023
Anthony is one of Bay Springs two-headed running back attack schemes. Anthony Received the majority of the load and did so quite impressively. Ross finished the season with over 1,300 yards, 13 TDs, and an average of 9.0 yards per carry. These statistics are a testament to Anthony’s running style and intensity. He is able to run between the tackles effectively, break arm tackles and utilize his speed to break away in the open field. Ross is an athlete that secondary players shy away from due to his willingness to run over defenders who happen to be in his path. If Anthony is able to be as productive in 2022 as he was in 2021 his team will more than likely reach the playoffs and be successful.
Tyrick Jones, 6-2 197 RB, Class of 2023
Tyrick Jones is a bigger running back who utilizes his size and strength to consistently make big-time plays. Tyrick Jones was not able to play every game of his season however, he was still incredibly productive with the opportunities that came his way. Jones is the other running back who makes Bay Springs High School’s offense what it is today. In 2021 he carried the ball 150+ times recording over 1,220 yards and 18 touchdowns. As mentioned Tyricks size gives him the ability to be a productive, hard-to-tackle running back, yet his athleticism makes him difficult to catch in the open field. Tyrick’s running style reminds me a lot of Derrick Henry with the Tenessee Titans. He isn’t afraid to take hits and has noticeable breakaway speed. If the Bulldogs are going to reach the playoffs again this year Tyrick will be a key contributor to his team.
Other Notable Athletes:
Kevin Keyes, 5-7 152, ATH Class of 2023
Kerrion Keyes, 5-8 140 ATH Class of 2024
Jamari Holiday, 5-9 160 WR, SS Class of 2023
These Athletes mentioned above were some of the most productive individuals on both the Offensive and Defensive Sides of the ball. They are losing their top two tacklers due to graduation therefore their defense will have some work to do this pre-season. Nevertheless, Bay Springs High School has a healthy number of athletes from the 2023 class looking to have a big season.
Repeat at the Championship
The Bay Springs Bulldogs will have a good chance of making it to the playoffs and repeating their performance in 2021. Will it be enough to secure the trophy at the end of the season? That much will be up to the athletes and coaching staff. Their opponents are certain to have a say in their efforts in pursuing the title. We will revisit their performance as the season progresses and reassess their playoff potential.