The Trenton Bulldogs undoubtedly have the most difficult two-game non-conference slate of any school in the Grand River Conference’s Eastern Division, as over the next two weeks, Trenton sees two programs on the rise under fairly new leadership. This Friday, the Bulldogs open the season at Lathrop, and second-year Mules Head Coach Chris Holt. Next week, a Lexington program making large strides under third-year Head Coach Kyle Barkley travels to C.F. Russell Stadium.
As it pertains to the challenge against the Mules, the Week 1 contest may come down to a battle between Coach Holt’s dynamic rushing attack against a Trenton defense that appears to be the early strength of the Bulldog squad, particularly in its ability to stop the run between the tackles. That group has shined for awhile, according to Trenton third-year Head Coach Brandon Boswell:
Rain, perhaps even strong thunderstorms capable of threatening delays, are possible on Friday night through northern and western Missouri. If it is a sloppy track, the field turf at Lathrop’s two-year old stadium will become wet, but not muddy. That scenario, according to Boswell, would not change the Bulldogs philosophies one bit:
The buzz around Lathrop is that the Mules were hit hard by graduation, particularly at the offensive skill positions, but the Mules remain, despite being youthful, very athletic and very fast. Familiarity with Coach Holt with the Mules players should be another positive:
With Trenton now a member of the Grand River Conference, and Lathrop a long-time staple in the KCI, the Bulldogs are looking to fill two spots on the schedule. The Mules became a natural fit for the opener:
Lathrop will see another titan in the Grand River Conference in the South Harrison Bulldogs in Week #2. Friday night’s game from Lathrop High School will be broadcast on Hot Country Z 101.7, webstreamed from www.kgozfm.com, and can be listened to by going to KGOZ on your Tune-In Radio App. Coverage begins with Football Frenzy at 5:30, and the kickoff at 7 o’clock. Tom Johnson will be joined by 2016 Trenton Bulldog alum Tucker Franklin on the call. The Locker Room Show, with Dave Miles, will air from 10 to midnight on Friday nights throughout the nine-week regular season and the first week of district play.
