Wednesday, September 18, 2024
New London Bulldogs look for a turnaround in 2024, coming off a 2-7 season with a 1-6 conference record in the Bay, where they found themselves on a four-game losing skid early in the season.
The Bulldogs gained experience over the last few seasons, with seniors who have seen plenty of snaps during their time in the program.
“It’s been a tough last couple years, but we have been able to start some young kids on the offensive line that are all going to be seniors this year,” Head Coach Kyle Collins says, “So we’re excited to watch all of those reps pay off.”
The Bulldogs struggled in the Bay, which consists of Fox Valley Lutheran, Seymour, Shawano, Waupaca, Winneconne, and Xavier.
The Bulldogs have reason to be hopeful with running back Tommy Fields returning after posting 1,000 rushing yards a season ago.
“Tommy is such a stud runner and we have, such a good offensive line that they’re able to open holes for him and Tommy’s able to run people over or make them miss,” said Coach Collins.
Fields was a workhorse for the Bulldogs in 2023 and named First-Team All-Conference last season after rushing for 1,015 yards and three touchdowns on 242 carries.
“The offensive line needs to get the credit for everything they did to help me get that 1000-yard season,” Fields said, “They don’t get the appreciation but, they did a lot to get that 1,000.”
Leading the way for Fields on the offensive line, First Team All-Conference Parker Walbruck, Second Team All-Conference Ira Stein, and Honorable Mention Braxton Bryant.
“It was really good to know that we were the main anchor of Tommy having that success,” said Walbruck, “so we need to focus on playing even better together.”
On the defensive side of the ball, Fields and Walbruck were both named First-Team All-Bay Conference, along with Honorable Mention Logan Ten Hakken.
Fields led the Bulldogs in tackles with 47 and tackles for loss with eight, and Walbruck contributed five tackles for loss on the defensive line.
Walbruck said of his team’s potential, “The more we try and the more effort we put in, the better the outcome is, we are trying this year to motivate everyone to pick up the effort.”
The Bulldogs begin their season on Friday, Aug. 23, at home against Freedom.
