The Alvord Bulldogs earned the Division IV title at the DFW South state qualifier June 6 at Burleson High School, and will advance to the State Lineman Challenge Saturday at Hardin-SImmons University in Abilene. Pictured are (front row) Jagar Simmons, Jaxon Uloth, Ronyn Brady, Matthew Gonzales, Tye Clark, Zane Smith, Jaxan Simmons (back row) Davis Kwasny, Easton McKelvain, Callum Taylor, Kasyn Davis and Ian Fox. SUBMITTED
The Alvord Bulldogs will have the chance to compete for a state title against the best linemen in Division IV this weekend.
In coach Matt Fanning’s first season with the Bulldogs, a total of 12 Alvord linemen will battle at the State Lineman Challenge Saturday at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene.
Alvord secured its state trip by winning the Division IV title at the DFW South state qualifier June 6 at Burleson High School. The Bulldogs claimed the win with 84 points, beating out second-place West (72) and third-place Grandview (58).
“I’m excited and pleased with the way we competed,” Fanning said. “We were the only 2A school competing in our division, and we battled against a bunch of good 3A schools like Grandview and a few others. We actually ended up just dominating the day, and that’s indicitive of the work the guys have put in since I got here in February. I’m really proud of them.”
Alvord’s lineman roster includes Ronyn Brady, Tye Clark, Kasyn Davis, Ian Fox, Matthew Gonzales, Davis Kwasny, Easton McKelvain, Jagar Simmons, Jaxan Simmons, Zane Smith and Jaxon Uloth.
The Bulldogs picked up wins in five of the seven events at the competition, and earned the win in the tug-of-war comeptition, earning double points toward their total score.
“It really was unfamiliar terrority for all of the guys — they’ve never comepted at a lineman competition before,” Fanning said. “But they just jumped right in on the power drive and posted a time of 22 seconds, which is a really good time at any level. Two of the events — the tire flip and the bobsled — we had the fastest time in every divisiion from 6A down. For really not knowing what they were getting themselves into, the boys really competed at the highest level.”
Fanning excepts the Bulldogs to be ready to battle at the state event.
“It’d be neat to bring home a state title,” he said. “I’m really wanting just to see more of the same fron our last comeptition — that willingness to show up and compete. It’s a great expereince for our guys to be a part of, and it’ll be good to see how we stack up agaisnt other teams from across the state that we don’t normally see. If we’ll go work hard, I think it’s going to work out for us.”
Hired by Alvord in January to replace former coach Marcus Grgurich, Fanning took the Bulldogs’ job following one season on the Hardin-Simmons coaching staff under Jesse Burleson as tight ends coach and assistant strength training coach.
Fanning also previously coached for six seasons at Jim Ned High School, compiling a 58-16 overall record and winning the 3A Division I state title with the Indians in 2020.
The new coach beleives a strong showing at the State Lineman Challenge can propel the Bulldogs into the 2025 season.
“I think it’ll definitely pay dividends for us,” he said. “With our style of ball, we’ll end up making our living up front. If those guys are rolling, then that bodes well for us. I’m excited about the future, for sure.”
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