Brooks confident Dogs will TCB against Cardinals
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

Newsboy photo/Georgia Purdy JASPER'S AARON BROOKS breaks away from a pair of Orangefield defenders Devin Green (6) and Steven Stone (20) during first half action last Friday. Brooks saw action at running back for the first time Friday against Orangefield and rushed for a respectful 31 yards on nine carries. Jasper will host Bridge City this Friday at the Bone Yard.

If the Jasper Bulldogs have any hopes of a playoff berth this year, they will have to take care of business this week against the Bridge City Cardinals during homecoming ceremonies.

Bridge City will come into the Bone Yard with a young squad that has taken its lumps early in the District 21-3A campaign.

Last week, the Cardinals almost pulled out a victory against Hardin-Jefferson but lost 28-26.

"They are a young team that has some problems," said Jasper Head Football Coach Thomas Brooks. "We are not overlooking anyone and lose to someone we expect to beat. We just need to take care of our business."

Brooks said his coaching staff has worked this week to keep the Bulldogs from becoming too overconfident against a young Bridge City squad that the Dawgs should defeat Friday.

JASPERS ONE-TWO OFFENSIVE punch against Orangefield came in the form of Dominique Bailey (15), above, and Malcolm Bronson (6), right. Bailey scored three touchdowns and eludes the tackling attempt of Kellen Free above. Pictured right, Bronson is brought down by two Orangefield defenders after a short gain during the second half of Friday's 24-14 victory. The victory improved Jasper's record to 1-1 in District 21-3A. Newsboy photos/Georgia Purdy

"We have let them know that this game is not about Bridge City but about us getting better and that is what we are working on," Brooks said. "We will work harder than we ever had to improve this week."

Bridge City works the spread offense and Brooks expects the Cardinals to throw the ball around this week.

"Anytime you throw the ball, you have the ability to make some big plays," Brooks said. "That is something we will have to guard against."

Bridge City also change their defensive looks in a game so Brooks said his squad will take extra time looking at that as well this week.

But Bridge City will have to prepare for a few new weapons in Jasper's offensive backfield as well. Jasper unveiled sophomore Dominique Bailey at quarterback against Orangefield and the sophomore starred in Jasper's 24-14 victory.

Brooks said that Bailey will continue to start at quarterback for the Bulldogs but he expects Cameron Stubblefield to see time at the position as well.

"Cameron will play as well," Brooks said. "They offer two different styles for us. Dominique is more of a runner and that is something you need in the spread offense. He has the speed and agility to do that.

"Cameron is a field general and does a great job of throwing the football," Brooks said. "We are just going to try to get the best of both worlds."

Brooks noted that with Bailey, "you don't have to block everything perfect for him to find a hole."

Brooks said Bailey reminds the staff of some of the past Bulldog quarterbacks that offered speed and agility from the position.

"You spread out the offense and now you are able to run the football and don't have seven-eight people in the box," Brooks said. "That is what we are able to do now with Dominique back there."

Another change for the Bulldogs this week came with the addition of seniors Malcolm Bronson and William Brooks in the offensive backfield for the Bulldogs.

For Brooks, it was his first action at the running back position.

"He did a good job but I know that Malcolm and William will get better at it as time goes on," Brooks said. "We will continue working the kids in the lineup until we find the right combination.

"I have told the kids that no position is safe," Brooks said.

With the team now at 1-1 in District 21-3A play, Brooks said his squad needs to improve its play as the season progresses.

"We improved the other night but we need to keep getting better whether our opponents are great or not that good," Brooks said. "I don't worry about our opponents that much as I do about what we do and take care of our business."