Dayton’s Loss To Tigers A Chance To Toughen Up
September 9, 2010
DAYTON - Josh Frame's 10-yard running touchdown seemed to set the pace for the Bulldogs' season opener against the Stanfield Tigers, giving Dayton a 6 - 0 lead. But it wasn't until well into the fourth quarter and seven Stanfield touchdowns later before the dawgs regained their footing and began to put together a more solid offense.
Even then, however, they were unable to erase any part of their 7-48 deficit and could only take comfort in the fact that the Stanfield Tigers have been picked to win their league and in the notion that the Bulldogs this year are a team under reconstruction. "It's a work in progress," said Dean Bickelhaupt, the new well-liked Bulldogs head coach. "Playing a team like this will only make us better." Not that the rest of the season will be a cakewalk, but the game's fourth quarter showed clear evidence the Bulldogs have it in them to win games, which would be an improvement over the team's 0-14 2009 season. In contrast to some of the games last year, there wasn't the bickering or a drop in attitude when the going got tough Friday night. Bickelhaupt read that as a hopeful sign. "If they keep sticking together, good things will happen," he said. Add to that the starters who were sidelined
for the first game but should be back in the lineup soon and the season won't be as long as the first game foreshadowed.
The Bulldogs' spirit survived three quarters of hammering by the Stanfield offense. But the team had nearly a handful of turnovers, including several interceptions and fumbles. Frame, Kroft Sunderland, Dain Henderson and Cruz Ramirez all put away some effective but late defensive tackles.
Ramirez' tackle for a three-yard Tigers' loss helped turn the momentum during the fourth quarter. It was followed
by several first downs, including an impressive run by Henderson, but the Bulldogs could not convert a fourth down into a touchdown. The Tigers took over on downs with several minutes left in the game, sealing their 41-point spread against the home team.
"We have to take care of the ball better," Bickelhaupt said about the turnovers against a team all too capable of taking advantage of them. "Turnovers against a good team like that will kill you." Going into next week's game against Enterprise, Bickelhaupt said he will focus more on the Bulldogs' discipline on the field, trusting each other more to hold their positions. "We got our butts beat, but we have lots to look up to," he said. "I'm excited for the season."
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