The Bulldogs are coming off a one-win campaign and breaking in new talent in the backfield. Berry has grand plans to revitalize the program, but that's easier said than done in the top-heavy Mid-Penn Colonial Division. Below is their Countdown to Camp preview.
School Name: Big Spring Bulldogs
Coach: Mike Berry
Last Year: 1-9, 1-6 Colonial
Last 5 Years: 14-37
Returning Starters: 8 on offense, 8 on defense
Key Players: OL-DL Tyler Gantz; OL-DL Micah Weaver; RB-S Levi Weidner; OL-DL Sam Tigyer; FB-LB Tristan Robb; FB-LB Austin Singleton; WR-CB Matt Coyle; WR-CB Cyle Hughes; OL-DL Rhett Nixon; QB-S Garrett Chestnut; WR-DB Jeremy Witter.
Offense Overview: While Berry did share head coaching duties after the abrupt mid-season exit of skipper Brent Stroh last fall, the Bishop McDevitt alum will now open his first full season with 16 returning starters eager to change the overall value of the program. The good news is Big Spring's point of attack is a plus. The Bulldogs only managed 13.9 points per game in 2012, but that number should rise with tested bodies like Gantz, Weaver and Tigyer up front. The QB position, where sophomore Chesnut is competing, is still up for grabs. And while there seems to be plenty of options in Berry's preferred spread, but nailing down a replacement for the departed Isaiah Greer is important. That's the bad news.
Defense Overview: While a few 2012 opponents feasted on Big Spring's sagging defense, there were time when the Bulldogs hiked up their britches and clawed back. The new class, according to Berry, will deploy multiple fronts and offer a senior-laced secondary with some quicks. Big Spring hasn't always been blessed with taxing speed, but a rather large sophomore class will help. But young and ambitious also means tons of mistakes, something the Dogs can ill-afford against the Colonial heavies. Once again, it's easy to like returners Gantz, Weaver and that up-front talent. They'll be well-conditioned to handle a full 48-minute grind.
Biggest Game: October 25 at Shippensburg
More Big Spring Bulldogs:2013 schedule | 2013 roster
EPLER'S CRYSTAL BALL: There's plenty of interest in Berry's first real bite of the apple. He's been groomed by one of the best, former McD and Mechanicsburg coach Pat Berry, his father. Plus, Berry brings a defensive approach that can only aid the Bulldogs quest to climb the Colonial ladder. Now for some reality. The Bulldogs are still looking straight up. Establishing that tempo-driven offense will be difficult against a pretty sound division controlled by Greencastle-Antrim, Northern and Shippensburg for the last dozen or so years. If Berry's crew can somehow escape week 1 (vs. Millersburg) with a victory, that would add some confidence to a group that has worked hard to improve in the offseason. That first impression is vital.
More:Complete Countdown to Camp coverage
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