Rolo Coogs

ROSEBUD-LOTT COUGARS VS BOSQUEVILLE BULLDOGS ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017 At 7:00 P.M. IN BOSQUEVILLE

The road back to glory is not always paved and easy but it is still one that must be traveled if we are to find the success we seek.  

This is the journey that the Rosebud-Lott football team begins this season under Head Coach Brad Ballard. He hopes that this will be a year he is successful with his system, given the number of returners.  

If he is, then the “Rolo Coogs” could once again find their bite and return to their winning ways. The Cougars have fielded some tough, competitive teams over the past decade, and their fans and the community in general are not accustomed to a losing year.

True, like every school they have seen some down times but a consistency of winning is the norm around Rosebud-Lott.  

Just a few years ago 2013 and 2015, the Cougars were a playoff team. Those days aren’t so far removed from for the Cougar fans. In their second scrimmage they travel to Bosqueville to take on the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs scrimmage will be a big game for them, as they have to not just travel but play a team that is looking to continue the trend it began last season.

The Bulldogs were one of the strongest programs in the area in 2016, going 9-3 and losing in the Area Finals of the State Playoffs.  

With 6 starters back on offense and 5 on defense, Bosqueville returns an intimidating defense led by DE Lane Womack, and T Dalton Zander.  

On offense they will rely on RB’s Marcus Estell and Bryce Eckardt as the Bulldogs try to replace the playmakers they lost from last season. They may be young in spots but they are just as hungry as the Cougars and therefore will be a tough opponent at home.

Rosebud will depend on the solid core of 6 starters back on both sides of the ball to establish a winning attitude for the program.  

They will depend upon getting a solid effort from QB JaQuorion Johnson, whose versatility should set the tone for the program going forward.

If Coach Ballard can establish some balance on offense, then you can look for the Cougars to play winning football in 2017. Johnson looked impressive in the Coogs first scrimmage against Axtell.

He continually baffled the Axtell defense with his explosiveness and elusiveness. He scampered 60+ yards off the option for one score, pitched late to Cody Wells who completed a 70-yard touchdown and threw a pass to Wells over the top of the secondary and Wells completed the scoring play outrunning the defense.  

Bullish fullback Ethan Easley plowed through the defense for another score for the Rosebud offense.

The Cougar defense led by DE Brady Harring played tough limiting the Longhorns to just two scores. If not for some missed tackles and poor pursuit angles, the Cougar defense would have pitched a shutout.  

Those few breakdowns on defense will provide the staff with things to work on before the next and final scrimmage. I believe that overall, the prospects for the upcoming season looked promising for Rosebud-Lott faithful as the Cougars demonstrated that they could be a force in 2017.  

They played with heart and hustle, which are traits of a winning program.