As the Sweet Water Bulldogs prepare for their upcoming battle against the Class 1A foe Linden Patriots, head coach Stacy Luker has been happy with his team’s success thus far.

With only two more games remaining until playoffs begin, coach Luker is taking one game at a time until the postseason.

“I think our hands are going to be full,” Luker said. “They [Linden] are so big and athletic and they always play tough when we play them.”

Due to a conflict with another game, the Sweet Water vs. Linden game was moved to tonight instead of being played tomorrow night as scheduled.

As far as the Bulldogs success this season on the field, coach Luker believes his team has played up to their expectations, but there are still some kinks that need to be worked out before the postseason starts in two weeks.

“I guess we’ve played pretty good,” Luker said.

“There have been some moments we haven’t played well.

We still need to try to have a little more consistency in our game.

There is still a whole lot of improving for us to do.”

Coach Luker believes that there are a few individual players who have stepped up as leaders on this year’s squad.

“Right now, the key leaders on our team would have to be Tony Johnson and Blake Luker,” Luker said.

“They have done a good job of stepping up as good leaders and our quarterback, Deon Williams, has also done a good job of being a leader.”

So what is Sweet Water’s greatest asset when it comes to playing the game of football?

“I think our maturity is our team’s greatest strength,” Luker said.

“The fact we have had guys starting for three years and now they are beginning to realize their place on the team.”

Linden, on the other hand and according to coach Luker, can punish teams quickly with an explosive running game.

“Linden’s running game is their greatest strength,” Luker said.

“Their size and running game are great and they have a lot of success up front.”

The Bulldogs should be ready for a great match up in tonight’s Class 1A showdown against the Patriots.

“For the first time this year, we are 100 percent healthy,” Luker said.

“We have a few bumps and bruises that come along with football, but we are not going to be missing any players for the first time this year.”

Linden head coach Luther Davis was unavailable for comment.

Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. tonight in Linden as the Bulldogs battle the Patriots.

And my guess is that Sweet Water will ease off the field with another win.

My prediction: Sweet Water 49, Linden 35