ZEROING IN – Alvord’s Troy Morales moves in to make a stop against a Millsap runner in their 62-7 win Friday. Messenger photo by Mack Thweatt
The Alvord Bulldogs were one of the few teams in the area that got off to a hot start Friday. Alvord cruised to an opening-week victory and will try to keep the momentum going.
The Bulldogs (1-0) host the Ponder Lions (0-1) Friday at 7:30 p.m.
“It was a good feeling because I didn’t know what to expect,” Alvord coach Curtis Enis said about the victory. “We have a lot of new kids and first-time senior starters, but the kids were focused and the coaches were intense all week. We could not have prepared any harder.”
Ponder comes into Alvord off a 24-13 loss to Muenster.
The Lions like to air things out with their spread offense, which will test the Bulldog secondary. Alvord only allowed 75 yards through the air last week to the Millsap Bulldogs, but Ponder with it’s quick-pass style will put the ball in the air a lot.
“They throw the ball so much,” Enis said. “We will have to be on our toes in the secondary. It’s good to play teams like this for us to get better.”
Ponder quarterback Reid Sanders threw for 194 yards against Muenster with only one interception.
“They run the spread with a lot of short passes,” Enis said. “Their quarterback [Sanders] is very accurate.”
Offensively the Bulldogs will look to lean on Joe Randall again. Randall came off an injury last week and exploded for 200 rushing yards in limited time.
According to Enis, Randall should be back to full potential on both sides of the ball.
“He should be full strength this week,” Enis said about Randall. “We also want to get Joe more involved in the passing game as soon as we can.”
PONDER (0-1) AT ALVORD (1-0)
7:30 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium
Alvord: Harris Rating 188
Notable: Alvord’s Joe Randall returned from injury to run for 200 yards last week against Millsap. Randall should be back to full strength for the Lions.
Ponder: Harris Rating 182
Notable: The Lions continue to improve each year in an upstart program. Ponder lost to Muenster 24-13 last week.
Harris line: Alvord by 14
