Photos by Jim Ridolphi
Desmond Athey (34) returns to the Goochland backfield this season. Against the Nottoway defenders Athey runs for a short gain but there were few highlights in the Bulldog’s first scrimmage. Below: In first half, a Nottoway receiver gathers in a touchdown pass over outstretched arms of Goochland’s Kenneth Johnson (32). Bottom: Goochland head coach Joe Fowler watches his team’s first performance against live competition and is not happy by what he sees. Fowler could find little to appreciate in the game other than the fact it revealed several of the Bulldogs’ weaknesses.

Bulldogs struggle in opening scrimmage
BY JIM RIDOLPHI


Aug 20, 2008

Football team learns they have a lot to learn

  The Goochland Bulldogs are back in pads and preparing for the upcoming 2008 football season. Admittedly, this year’s squad has a tough act to follow as the 2007 squad recorded a perfect regular season.

  “I think this team has the chance to be a good football team,” said Coach Joe Fowler after his team turned in a less than impressive performance against Nottoway in the team’s opening scrimmage.

  “We looked pretty terrible out there tonight,” Fowler said. The good thing about his game is that it’s a scrimmage and doesn’t count.”

  Nottoway got off to a quick start scoring a touchdown on their first possession. After that, they utilized an effective balanced attack to challenge Goochland’s young defense all evening.

  “We played above their pads all night,” Fowler said. “We’re not big enough to play that type of football. We need to be under their pads if we’re going to be successful,” he added.

  There were bright spots for Goochland, but they were few and far between in this early pre-season match-up.

  “We played well in some flashes, but overall, there was nothing positive to take away from the game, except that we have lots of work ahead of us,” Fowler said.

  The scrimmage will serve as an educational tool for Fowler who said he knows a lot more about his team now than he did before the scrimmage. One of his areas of concern will be defense as the Cougars scored four unanswered touchdowns in the controlled game-like setting.

  “Maybe this is a good thing for our players and coaches to get this wake up call so early,” Fowler said. “This will bring us back to earth and show us how hard this is going to be.”

  Fowler was disappointed with all aspects of this young team’s performance. “I wasn’t pleased with the conditioning or the execution,” he said.

  Fowler said the best thing about the scrimmage was the amount of film his team will have to study. “We’ll take a look and see where we went wrong,“ he said.

  Fowler said replacing many of the starters lost from last year’s squad would be difficult, but achievable. “I think we’ll be ok,” he said. “We’ll come back Monday fresh, and we’ll be ready for Trinity on Wednesday.” The Bulldogs final scrimmage is this week against Trinity High School, then the games count.

  “Nottoway is a very good football team,” Fowler said. “I’m glad we got to go against somebody instead of just going at each other in practice. At least we got some experience.”

  The Bulldogs open Sept 30 against Benedictine at home.

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