Summerfield Bulldogs 2020 Preview

By Frank Vajcner

The second year of the Alex Lipka era will look to be better for the Summerfield Bulldogs, as they finished 2019 with a win over playoff-qualifier and arch-rival Whiteford. Couple that with seven starters returning on offense, and fans in Petersburg have a reason to believe things are looking up.

Head Coach: Alex Lipka (2nd season)

Staff: Gino Darin, Darrel Polter, Leroy Wood, Al Gilson, Steve Bolster, Zach Phillip 

Offense: Seven starters return to a unit looking to improve off of averaging 24.4 points per game last season. At quarterback, senior Devin Albain returns with some strong performances under his belt. His protection should be better up front with both starting tackles, senior Markus Hewitt and junior Tyler Shelden, plus junior center Jacob Prati, all returning. Juniors Deshaun Martin and Dalton Gilford will push for playing time on the line.

Despite having senior TE Ethan Eyler and junior WR Roman Iott back, Albain will have some new targets to throw to, led by senior WRs Alex Gonzales and Gavin Fietz, and junior WR Drew Dafoe. Lipka mentioned sophomore WR Brandon Thompson as someone to keep an eye on. When the Dawgs run the ball, senior RB Jake LaRocca will be the one to carry the load.

Defense: Five starters return on this side of the ball. Both starting DEs are back in seniors Caleb Hall-Jeffers and Nathaniel Hawkins. Martin and Guilford could also see time on the defensive line. The linebacking corps is headlined by Eyler and LaRocca, and will be bolstered by Fietz and Dafoe. The entire secondary will have new starters. Iott will get first crack at one of the cornerback spots, while Thompson will be an option at safety.

Coach’s Outlook:  I really like where our program is at right now. Everyone knows our returners and knows how dangerous they are, but they do not know the newcomers, and I think after a few weeks Summerfield will be recognized for what we should be. We are adding new schemes to our offense to supplement our air raid. As for the new teams in the conference, Summerfield has played both of these teams the past several seasons. We know who they are and what they can do. I have a high respect for both of the coaches and think they will supplement the TCC coaching fraternity in a positive manner. With that being said, Summerfield is hungry and ready. We are ready to prove who we are to the TCC and Monroe county.

Our boys are angry about how COVID has robbed them from their sports as it is. The baseball players feel robbed of a title. Albain and Eyler were already going to make a point this season of who they are on the football field, but with baseball getting taken from them, it is like someone poked a hornets nest. Both of these young men come to workouts every day with a determination to lead and get better. It is exciting to see and this attitude has spread throughout our program. Summerfield needs football and once we get the opportunity to play it, I think these young men can achieve a lot.

FNV Outlook: As I mentioned in my schedule analysis, Summerfield gets arguably their three toughest games (Erie Mason, Sand Creek, and Whiteford) all at home. All three could show what the Dawgs are made of, especially the latter right before the postseason. If the offense takes a big step forward in Lipka’s second season, this could be a team to watch in November.