Carlton Bulldogs Football Looks To Be Competitive

August 15, 2013

Tyler Peterson-NSO

The Bulldogs, who are a part of the Great Northern Conference, are looking forward to their first 8 game varsity schedule as a 9-man program this season. Last year the Bulldogs competed in their first season as a 9-man program, where they played 4 varsity games, going 2-2 before losing in the first round of the playoffs, ending their season.

The Bulldogs graduated 5 seniors from last years team, but they are also returning 9 players who played significant minutes last season. Coach Erik Hanson said that he can already see how much last year has helped the team as a whole. “They are so much more fundamentally sound than they were last season and you can already see how much they have improved.” Erik Hanson said.

When asked what he and the team are expecting out of the season, he said “We are looking to be in every game that we play and to never give up. We want to go out there and leave everything we have on the field and whatever happens, happens”. While the Bulldogs are optimistic, there are always improvements to be made. “We need to get better with mental mistakes, thats probably the biggest thing right now.” Hanson said.

Hanson also mentioned that they have a few games that they have circled on their schedules, including neighboring rivals the Wrenshall Wrens and the team that ended their season last year, the Floodwood Polar Bears. “Everyone is excited! The coaches, the team, and the community, everyone!  We cannot wait to get out there under those lights and play some football!”

The Bulldogs will get their first chance to go head to head with another team on Friday, August 23rd when they scrimmage the Wrenshall Wrens and Silver Bay Mariners in Wrenshall. Then, the Bulldogs will kick off their season and home opener against conference opponents the Lake of the Woods Bears, on Thursday, August 29th at 7PM.

Tyler Peterson can be contacted at TPeterson@northlandsportsonline.com