The 3-3 Tioga Bulldogs head back on the road in Week 8, looking for their first district win of the season against the 1-5 Chico Dragons on Friday.
The Dragons enter the contest riding a four-game losing streak, including recent losses to Texas Leadership of Abilene in Week 5, 4614, and Nocona in Week 7, 497.
“They're finding their way, navigating through moving up to Division I and going through a little bit of growing pains through the move, but there have been moments where they have found their groove in games, and they have some skill, and some size,” said Zach Birdwell, Tioga athletic director and head football coach. “They're a team that is putting things together, and when they do, they’re a solid football team.”
Dave Campbell’s Texas Football lists wide receivers Talon Smith and Braylin Borchardt and offensive and defensive linemen Moses McIver and Keegan Webb as players to watch on the Dragon’s offense.
Chico’s offense presents a potential get-right opportunity for Tioga’s defense, with the Dragon’s offensive unit being held to 14 or fewer points in all but one of thier games this season.
Tioga’s defense, led by linebackers Jaxton DeJernett and Raul Chavez, who have combined for 76 tackles, should enter the matchup with the motivation to bring back the physical brand of football the Bulldogs like to play after allowing 53 points in their loss in Week 8.
Prior to Oct. 9th’s showing against Muenster, the Bulldogs’ defense held Callisburg, Tom Bean and Carrollton Prince of Peace High School to a combined total of 36 points.
On the other side of the ball, the Bulldog’s offense, which struggled to open the season, averaging 18 points per game in Weeks 1-3, came alive in Week 4 and has been on a roll since, averaging 51 points per game over the last three games.
A big reason for the change has been the play of quarterback Camden Stephens, who has accounted for over 1,000 yards of total offense and 17 touchdowns in three starts.
Wideouts Jaxson Hurst (32 catches, 593 yards and 9 touchdowns) and Quesyn Arrington (18 catches, 392 yards and 6 touchdowns) are the top weapons outside, while running back Jake David has tallied over 700 yards of total offense and 6 touchdowns from the backfield.
Tioga's multifaceted attack has the opportunity to maintain their momentum against a leaky Chico defense that has allowed 42 points or more to opponents in each of its last three games.
Birdwell said that his message to the team this week focused on executing well from the opening kickoff until the final buzzer sounds.
“Being close is not a standard of ours, and we’re tired of being there, and in order for us to go win those big games, it's going to take four quarters from us,” he said. “… This week we're refocusing our minds on finishing games, and that starts in practice and in the weight room. We have to finish well in everything that we do, so when it comes to Friday nights, we can put four quarters together and close teams out.”
The Bulldogs and Dragons will face off at 7 p.m. Friday at Dragon Stadium in Chico.
