Big shoes to fill for the Harrisburg Bulldogs

HARRISBURG, Mo. (KMIZ)

High school football is just under three weeks away and the Harrisburg Bulldogs look to fill some big shoes after a historic season last year.

Long-time head coach Steve Hopkins says in the past the team has never had a practice with more than 20 guys until this year when they are yet to have under 30.

With the large turnout, there are some big question marks surrounding Hopkins offense.

"We lost our all-time leading tackler. We lost our all-time leading receiver. We lost our all-time leading quarterback. Those young men were valuable and yet we have two or three kids who are now four-year starters who are stepping right into those roles," Hopkins said.

Hopkins despite graduating their star wideout, he's confident in the four returners and the main task is finding the guy that will throw to them.

"I think quarterback will be a work in progress until we're ready to play Cabool. We'll have our own first scrimmage Saturday and each of the quarterbacks will have a turn with the top unit," Hopkins said.

He also said that he won't be surprised if they are still rotating multiple quarterbacks in week one.

"That won't bother me, but our goal is to get better by when we get into our own league which is week three," Hopkins said.

Harrisburg's week one game is home against Cabool on Aug. 28.