By: Nate Calvin
The Edgerton Bulldogs will be hard pressed to duplicate the success they enjoyed in 2018. It was season that featured the Bulldogs steam rolling thru their regular season schedule to go 10-0 and earn a GMC championship. The first two rounds of the playoffs were the same story as they manhandled Norwalk St. Paul (36-0) and Pandora-Gilboa (52-8) before falling to eventual state champion McComb 33-18 in the Division VII Region 26 Final.
Ninth year head coach Ben Wilhelm will have holes to fill from last year, most prominently quarterback Clayton Flegal (41-60 for 893 yds passing, 630 yards rushing, 23 total TDs) who also accounted for 38.5 tackles and 10 pass breakups from his defensive back position. Also gone from last year are Greg Roth RB/DB (990 yds rushing, 13 TDs), Braydon Cape (514 yds rushing, 351 yds rec., 12 TDs), Eli Barnham OL/DE (28.5 tackles, 4.5 sacks), and Brody Degryse LB (55 tackles, 6.5 sacks).
Edgerton does have 12 letterwinners returning from last year’s squad. With some offensive weapons lost to graduation the Edgerton offense figures to feature plenty of running back Hunter Prince, a three-time letterwinner, who finished last year 2,221 yards on the ground and 35 touchdowns. Edgerton will rely on a defense that includes returners Logan Showalter WR/DL (51.5 tackles, 8 sacks) and Jaron Cape QB/DB (26.5 tackles, 8 pass breakups) while the offense gets their footing.
Wilhelm views the fact that the team does have a core veteran group in each position grouping as a strength but also knows inexperience in some areas will be a concern. He expects the team to compete for a chance to win each week.
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Edgerton starts the 2019 season on the road at Hilltop followed by games against Edon, @ Montpelier, and Fremont St. Joe to complete the non-league portion of their schedule. The Bulldogs will get an early test in GMC play when they host the Fairview Apaches in their league opener on September 27th.
Nate can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com