MEEKER BULLDOGS
Head Coach: LARRY LEWIS
1-9
A new era begins at Meeker as first-year head coach Larry Lewis takes over a program looking to reset and rebuild. The Bulldogs finished 1-9 last season and know the climb will take time, but there is a clear plan in place for how they want to play. “We will be rebuilding and learning to compete,” Lewis said of his first group. With a challenging schedule and a roster that will feature plenty of youth, Meeker’s focus is on effort, toughness and steady progress each week.
Offensively, Meeker will employ a multiple wing attack that can operate both out of the gun and from under center. That flexibility should allow the Bulldogs to tailor the game plan to their personnel, mixing traditional power concepts with misdirection and play-action. The multiple-wing structure is designed to create angles in the run game, protect a developing quarterback and shorten contests by controlling the tempo. As the offense learns the system and gains confidence, Meeker hopes to become a unit that can finish long drives and limit mistakes.
On defense, the Bulldogs will base out of a 4-2-5, a scheme that balances numbers in the box with coverage versatility. With four down linemen and two linebackers, Meeker will prioritize being sound against the run while keeping enough speed on the field to handle spread sets. The additional defensive backs in the 4-2-5 alignment give the Bulldogs the ability to disguise looks, bring pressure off the edge and match up with multiple receiver sets. For a rebuilding group, the emphasis will be on fundamentals, tackling in space, pursuing the ball and limiting explosive plays. As the season unfolds, Lewis and his staff expect the defense to grow more comfortable in its responsibilities, which should help Meeker stay in games deeper into the second half.
8-28 – at Luther
9-11 – vs. Bethel
9-18 – vs. Prague
9-25 – vs. Community Christian
10-2 – at Cashion
10-9 – vs. Newkirk
10-15 – at Hennessey
10-23 – at Millwood
10-30 – vs. Christian Heritage
11-6 – at Alva
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