As the Bulldogs prepare for the upcoming football season, head coach Stacy Luker has high expectations for this year’s team.

After experiencing a tough season last year, Luker looks to re-establish the Sweet Water football team as a dominant force.

“Our goals for this season’s football team is just like any other season,” Luker said.

“To win the regional championship and go on to win the state championship.”

The Bulldogs face two 4A teams in addition to the regional and 1A action this season.

“Our toughest opponent this season will probably be the [Gulf Shore] Dolphins out of our region,” Luker said.

“As far as our region is concerned, I think American Christian, Linden, John Essex, and A.L. Johnson will be tough to beat.”

Sweet Water will be facing some difficult challenges this season, but Luker feels his team will be prepared.

“It’s such a challenge every year for us,” Luker said.

“But our biggest challenge will probably be overcoming some of the regional obstacles from last year.

It’s really an easy group of guys to coach with a bunch of good kids.”

Luker’s team is filled with young talent, and although many of the players are young, they have been successful.

“Last season’s biggest success story would probably be the success of our youngest kids,” Luker said.

“We had two 8th graders became major contributors to our team in Anthony Landrum and Drew Luker.

Also, our 9th grade FB, Dominic Holt, rushed for over 1400 yards last year.”

The greatest strengths of this year’s Sweet Water team will be focused on offense, but all aspects of the game have improved.

“Our greatest strength will probably be our offense because that will be our skill players,” Luker said.

“Everyone is returning from last year.

Defensively, I’d have to say our line-backing core is very strong.

They have started every game the last two years.

We are a really young team and they all have another year.

Also, we added a kicker from Germany that should help the kicking game.”

Young talent describes the Sweet Water Bulldogs perfectly.

And Coach Luker believes that although the team is young, the experience has been planted.

“Dominic Holt has 25 game of varsity experience,” Luker said.

“He started as an 8th grader and has done a great job.

We have a lot of young talent.

And we’re still young, but experienced.”