Dawgs know pressure on for state title repeat
By GEORGIA PURDY Newsboy Correspondent

On the heels of last season's state championship, there is a great deal of speculation that the Jasper Bulldogs can do it again in 2008. Expectation is more like it. That's a lot of pressure, but these young men seem to be taking it in stride.

" I think everyone feels the pressure, coaches and players," John Bradley said. "Anytime you do something great,

people will have high expectations."

Aaron

Stephenson

said that one

of those pressures

is knowing

that the

other teams in

the district will be

trying to be the

spoiler.

"Other teams

will be gunning for

us," he said. "We just

need to play our game

and not worry about it. You see a lot of stuff on the inter- net. Other teams don't like Jasper. They don't think we're worth anything, but we're always good. Coach Steve steers us away from the hype from players in the other schools."

Both refer to discussions on internet sports forums where players from throughout the district talk about the teams.

"We're the team to beat now," Bradley said. "We're the northernmost team and we're up here in the woods. We just let our play do the talking."

Justin Parsons said that other teams gunning for the 'Dogs was just a challenge.

"Everyone will be coming after us because we have a state ring on our fingers," he said." But we like the challenge."

Malcolm Bronson doesn't seem the least concerned with the pressure.

"I try not to look at it as pressure," he said. "I'm having fun because I'm doing what I like to do."

Ditto Taylor Hart.

"I don't get nervous and I love it when opposing fans don't like number three," he said. "Pressure is different for different people. Some need it to get kicked in gear. Others see it as just a means to shine. When I'm under pressure, it's like an adrenalin rush."

Cord Yeates doesn't think the team, as a whole, will be affected by the pressures of high expectations. He bases his opinion on last year's performance at the state championships.

"I don't think the expectations, the pressure, will effect us much," he said. "Last year, when we got to the state championships, we were loose and relaxed."

Yeates also feels that the team's talent gives them a good chance of going back to the state tournament.

"I think our chances are real strong," he said. "There was a lot of talent on our team last year that other teams didn't see. They don't know much about us up here in the woods. They look at the people who graduated and not those us who are still here. I see strong pitching. We're bringing a lot of our pitching back, plus everyone's a year older. Experience is another thing. We've been there before."

Stephenson cites Bridge City as an example of how experience pays dividends.

"The reason Bridge City has been so good is the play-off experience they've had," Stephenson said.

Now that the Bulldogs have a state championship under their belts, they think that their experience will be a factor.

"Everyone on the field was on the state tournament roster last year," Bradley said. "We have them back. When we get in tight situations, we'll keep our cool."

These young men not only have play-off experience but also have had another year to hone their skills.

"We have a lot of people back and I think we can go back to state," Bronson said. "Our main strengths are that we have a lot of experience and good offense. We hit the ball well."

Justin Parsons sums up the skills that he feels will keep them in contention for another run at a state championship, but more importantly, demonstrates the attitude so prevalent on this team.

"We have a chance to do it again," he said. "Our pitching is deeper. We're always a good hitting team and our speed will be just as good if not better, plus we have a bunch of sophomores who will step up. They also have experience. Some went to state with us last year.

It's our goal every year to get to state. This year is no different from last year. We just do what we do- play good baseball and hope for the best."