Bulldogs going to Sparta to face Hancock

Published 3:00 pm Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Time is running out for the GMC Prep football team.

The Bulldogs (0-1 region, 0-6 overall) have four opportunities remaining to get wins in 2024, putting this year’s team in danger of tying the program’s last winless effort in 2007.

This week’s opponent is a Hancock Central squad (0-1, 2-4) that, despite owning more losses than wins, is averaging 41 points per game. Blowouts over Glenn Hills (66-0) and Josey (76-6) are inflating the numbers a bit, but even in losses, first-year head coach Brandon Nolley’s Bulldogs of Sparta are putting up a decent amount of points. They’ll be looking for revenge after last year’s 34-22 loss at the hands of GMC Prep on what was a rainy night on Davenport Field.

GMC Prep is coming off its most competitive game of the year thus far, a 24-17 region loss to Twiggs County. While the outcome wasn’t what he nor the team desired, Bulldogs first-year head coach Gavin Tierce saw some things he liked as his team began the back half of the schedule.

“More than anything, it felt good to have depth that we could utilize,” Tierce said Tuesday. “I think that’s what ultimately kept us in the game. It was the first time all year we had a legitimate sub rotation on both sides of the ball. It particularly helped along the line of scrimmage. The guys never laid down. I was proud of the way they fought.”

The head coach added that spirits were lifted in Monday’s film session as players started seeing some fruits from this season’s labor, perhaps creating a little momentum for the final four-game stretch.

GMC Prep will need it against an athletic, explosive Hancock Central team that’s been held to fewer than 28 points just once this season.

“They’ve got great team speed on the outside, and they’re super dynamic in the passing game” said Tierce. “Their secret weapon is special teams. They have scored four or five punt or kick return touchdowns. That has been a huge advantage for them.”

Asked to evaluate his own team’s kick and punt coverage, Tierce said, “It’s not been great.”

Although the Bulldogs have not given up a touchdown in that aspect, explosive returns have set opposing offenses up with good starting field position, putting the GMC Prep defense in a bind quickly. Depth has hurt the special teams with so many Bulldogs having to stay on the field in all three phases of the game.

“It’s something we work on daily, we’ve just got to take more pride in it and get better,” Tierce said.

GMC Prep and Hancock Central will see Friday whose overall team will reign supreme. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. in Sparta.