LAPEL — Coach Tim Miller and his Bulldogs are in a pretty good place for the new season of football.
Senior running back Tyler Dollar returns to the field in his final season working to continue the success of last season.
As a junior, Dollar rushed for more than 1,500 yards and had 24 touchdowns.
His sophomore season was slightly better in rushing, and all signs point to Dollar being one to watch.
In 2021, Dollar was listed as 22nd in the state for rushing.
“He’s not only one of the best backs in the state, but one of the best players in the state,” Miller said.
Dollar isn’t the only returning player who will power the Bulldogs.
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A host of returnees, many of whom are underclassmen with varsity experience, will push Lapel to better its 8-3 record from last season and move on to excel in postseason play.
Last year, the Bulldogs fell in the second round of the sectional to Eastbrook.
Junior receiver Nick Witte as well as sophomore Rylie Hudson are expected to be big contributors.
Witte tallied 10 TDs with 660 yards and averaged almost 19 yards a catch last year. As a freshman, Hudson averaged 15 yards a catch for his 395 yards receiving.
Lapel’s offensive line protecting its quarterback is experienced.
Seniors Keegan O’Connor (center), Ryan Carpenter (guard) and junior J.J. Baxter (guard) are all seasoned and will pull double duty on defense as well.
Senior Anthony Prater is a three-year starter as a middle linebacker. Last year, Prater led the team with 16 solo tackles and 28 assisted tackles.
On-field collaborator Drew Bracken was just behind him with 15 solos and 29 assists.
The two will team up again.
Other seasoned varsity Bulldogs include seniors Evan Osenbaugh and Tyler Lutz.
With all his experienced talent, Miller has a problem many coaches want.
“We are varsity deep with a lot of positions and a lot of competition for those positions.”
Miller said the guy who starts in Week 1 may not be the same guy who starts in Week 4.
Even on the freshman list are familiar football names like Osenbaugh and Kadinger.
“We are very talented and have a lot of potential,” Miller said, “and that drives our competition.”
Like every team, the Bulldogs want to be playing their very best by the time the postseason rolls around.
Every practice day, the teams works on something.
One day it might be pacing, and another may it’s execution of plays.
“We have 22 moving parts and work on at least one or two every day,” Miller said. “Each day can change.”
In preseason polls, the Bulldogs rank just outside of the Top 25 in the 27th slot.
The Bulldogs open their season at home against Hamilton Heights on Aug. 19.
The Huskies are a new team on the schedule this year.
Another new team, Heritage near Fort Wayne, will travel to Lapel Sept. 23.
Homecoming this year is Sept. 16 against North Decatur.
The Bulldogs face rival Frankton on Aug. 26.
