High hopes turned to future plans in Lakeland for the Lanier County Bulldogs in 2015. The Region 2-A Bulldogs opened the year on a five-game downslide before winning their first and only game of the season in Week Six over Wheeler County (Alamo, Ga.). Many of the losses were by double figures; however, the young team has been able to learn from the year and use it to their advantage for building in the near future.
Since restarting its football program in 1997, the Bulldogs have only managed to put together three winning seasons (2006, 2008, and 2011). However; regardless of last season, head coach Carl Parker remains steadfast that the team can not only improve, but compete. 2015 was just his first year at the helm in Lanier County, and given Coach Parker’s extensive playing and coaching background, the sky is the limit for the Bulldogs.
“Last year was year one. Trying to incorporate a new experience was the priority. With that accomplished, the intensity will need to be elevated to be more competitive,” Parker said. “Our greatest strength going into 2016 will be our numbers. With fifty-three players, we will have growth opportunities in practice that will allow for that competition.”
The Bulldogs will open the 2016 campaign with assured motivation at home against Berrien. Familiar faces litter Lanier County’s schedule, including region powerhouses Turner County, Irwin County, and 2015 state champion Clinch County.
“Having a full offseason, unlike last year, was very helpful. Now we just have to trust the process and play one game at a time,” Parker concluded.
Lanier County Bulldogs
For The Bulldogs, Improvement Is Inevitable
Written by James Washington
Photo by Lanier County High School
