Photo By Joel Brown - #18 Tori Ebert
Written by Chris Deremer
The Grangeville Bulldogs look to find more success as the 2020 season gets underway.
After a shutout loss in the opening round of the 2A Idaho state playoffs a season ago, the Bulldogs aim to forget and build off of last season’s downfall.
Last year, Grangeville experienced three shut-out losses. Two of them occurred in the month of September, with the final one in the playoffs. If the Bulldogs hope to find more success this season, playing more disciplined on defense will be key.
Grangeville Bulldog Head Coach Jeff Adams enters his fourth year at the helm after working as offensive coordinator on the Grangeville staff for six seasons.
According to Coach Adams, simplifying playcalling as well as playing smarter on the defensive end will be key to having more success.
In order to get back to the playoffs, the Bulldogs need to win their conference once again. Grangeville finished undefeated during conference play last year and aims to repeat once again, playing in a tough Central Idaho Conference alongside St. Maries and Orofino.
Last season, both Grangeville and St. Maries made it to the state playoffs, with both teams set on a crash course once again to take the conference title.
Adams said he looks forward to playing rival Lumberjacks once again.
“St. Maries is always an intense match up,” he said.
Going into the 2020 season, the Bulldogs will showcase many new faces on the offense.
Junior quarterback Jerrod Lindsley will debut on varsity, with an opportunity to make Grangeville one of the best offenses in the conference.
Adams said limiting turnovers and having a more balanced attack through the air and on the ground will be keys to having success on the offensive side this season.
One of the big names the Bulldogs will need to replace will be former offensive and defensive lineman Zack Forsmann.
An anchor on both sides of the ball for Grangeville, Forsmann will be a tough loss with the Bulldogs having many new faces on the offense season.
Coach Adams says he is excited about the growth his offensive line has shown this offseason. If this is true, this can greatly help Lindsley be more comfortable behind center, and ultimately help the Bulldogs find the endzone more frequently.
With many new faces on a Grangeville squad that proves to be competitive season after season, expect the Bulldogs to be in the contention discussion once again come November.
Check back with IdahoSports.com throughout the season for updated Grangeville scores and schedules.