One Of The Biggest Games In The State - Sulphur vs. Washington
The Bulldogs took their final test of the preseason last Thursday in a scrimmage against Plainview and Tecumseh, and now it’s crunch time as they host a team this Friday with a 45-game winning streak.
We’ll discuss this Friday’s opponent later, but first, head Bulldog Coach Corey Cole said his team made some improvement in their latest scrimmage and he liked what he saw.
“I really like what our offensive line and H-backs did last Thursday,” said Cole. “I thought we did an outstanding job controlling the line of scrimmage and definitely took a big leap from the previous week and that was one of the areas that we really worked on last week.” Cole praised his offensive line, saying, “They did a really good job in their blocking assignments and in their physicality and this is an area where we need consistent play all season long and they took a big step forward last Thursday” The Sulphur coach cited AJ Gordon, Caysen Meador, Brody Wallace, George Martinez, Kaleb Walker, Acer Dixon, Colten Cole, Cooper Cole, and Jadyn McCclure for their development in the trenches.
Cole said the Dogs played well offensively in the scrimmage. “We took care of the ball and did some really good things offensively; our goal going in was to establish the run game better than we did the week before and we did that. I thought the backs ran hard and were patient during the whole scrimmage.”
One of the plays Cole said that stood out to him was a highlight-reel touchdown pass from quarterback Kale Brakefield to receiver Bridge Barrett.
The coach also cited Madden Duck on an impressive night running the ball along with JoJo Gray, who made his first appearance of the season.
Defensively, Cole said the Dogs were fast and aggressive to the ball and definitely got better from the week before. “We gave up a few big play passes that were either a bust or just didn’t play the ball well enough, all correctable things that we have to get fixed before this week’s season opener. All in all, I was pleased with our performance but still lots of things that we need to improve on this week to give us an opportunity versus Washington.”
Sulphur vs. Washington
The Bulldogs will not need much motivation for this Friday night as they host the number one ranked Washington Warriors in a 7:00 p.m. kick.
The three-time state champ Warriors are coming to town with the state’s longest winning streak, an impressive 45 games.
Last year at this time, the Dogs lost a 27-24, double overtime thriller in what Cole said might have been one of the best high school games of the 2024 season.
“It was an incredible night and a game that featured 16 players that either are playing college football now or currently have offers going forward, pretty incredible for 3A-2A football,” said Cole. “We had several opportunities to pull out a victory last season, but in the end we just couldn’t find a way to get the job done.”
Sulphur is coming into the game ranked third in Class 3A, behind last year’s winner Lincoln Christian and always powerful, Heritage Hall.
Washington will bring their number one, Class 2A-1 ranking into Agee Field for what is shaping up to be another great match-up between the two teams.
Dogs
Speed All Over The Filed
Cole said Washington brings in an explosive offense who can run or pass and features speed all over the field.
“Creed Barrett leads the way at quarterback and he has weapons in Josiah Dickerson (RB), Case Alexander (TE), and Kade Babcock (WR), all capable of making big plays anytime they are on the field.” Cole said Washington returns four offensive lineman who started last year and are a very cohesive group who provides veteran leadership. Complementing the explosive Washington offense is their defense, said, Cole. “That unit is incredibly fast and physical and has always been very difficult for us to have sustained success during the games. They are very multiple defensively and very active. Their team speed and physicality are very impressive.”
Keys to the Game
Simply put, Cole said the Dogs must take care of the ball and find ways to force turnovers.
“We can’t give their offense second chances and we must make them beat us with long sustained drives and not the big plays,” he said. “Last season we gave up too many big plays and in the end that is what got us. Our offensive line has to get settled in and just go be themselves and be a tight knit unit because Washington is going to give us all kinds of different looks and their speed is something we haven’t seen yet.”
One key for the Dogs, Cole said, is quarterback Kale Brakefield. “He just needs to be himself and nothing more this Friday. He has to get the ball to our playmakers and make the right decisions in the runpass-option game. We have to be creative in finding ways to getting the ball to Maddax Mobly in the pass and run game.
Defensively, Cole said the Dogs must use their team speed and play the game fast. “We as coaches have to make the checks simple against the multiple look Washington offense so our guys can just go play fast and make plays. We have to be great tacklers and keep their big weapons from making plays after contact.”
Special teams are always an area that defines winning teams in this kind of environment, and Friday will be no exception. “That is an area that we need to be solid and make the biggest impact play of the night,” said Cole. “We just need to understand that the end goal is for the Sulphur Bulldogs of 2025 is to get better this Friday night against a great Washington team, and if we do that we will give ourselves a chance to win. We have to believe in everything we do this week and play together as one.
“We have worked very hard since last December to get back to this moment and now its right in front of us - we just have to go out and be the best version of Sulphur Football that we can be.”
