WEST UNION, W.Va. — A year ago at this time, Doddridge County was searching for several new starters on both sides of the ball following a run to the Class A semifinals in 2022. The Bulldogs (6-5) won six consecutive games in the middle of the season following an 0-2 start. As Bobby Burnside enters his 13th season leading the Bulldogs, he will field a more veteran and more established roster.
“They hit their stride midseason,” Burnside said. “They put a nice win streak together with a couple quality wins to help us make the playoffs. They showed good growth. We want to build on that and do better this year.”
“We were just a really young team last year,” said Doddridge County senior WR/DB Kristian Eidel. “I think once we got over that hump where it was younger guys coming in that finally got confidence. Once they got that confidence, that led to them getting better every day.”
Doddridge welcomes back their leading passer, leading receiver and third-leading rusher. Brysen Dixon tossed 14 touchdown passes in his sophomore season.
“There’s always competition,” Burnside said. “He comes in as our returning starter. He’s looked good. He is a very hard worker and he has worked hard in the offseason.”
Dixon’s top target returns in fellow junior Landon Thomas. Thomas averaged over 19 yards a reception. He reeled in 27 passes for 519 yards and seven touchdowns.
“Landon is a very good athlete,” Burnside said. “He’s a kid who actually started on our semifinal team as a freshman. He had an even bigger year last year. Defenses have to prepare to make sure he doesn’t make them pay. Having him back here a year older and a year stronger, I think he is going to have a very good year.”
Senior Talyn Snyder will be counted on for increased production in the running game. He scored five rushing touchdowns last fall.
“We moved him to fullback and he did an outstanding job,” Burnside said. “He can play tailback. He can play wing. He is a team player that is really what a coach wants in a player. He will do whatever is asked of him.”
Several top linemen return, including junior Caleb James. He led the Bulldogs with 118 tackles last season.
“He is an outstanding defensive lineman. He has a motor. He is just a kid that is actually 10 to 15 pounds bigger. He just lived in the weight room,” Burnside said.
“I have seen a lot of juniors filling into those spots from last year since we had three seniors from last year leave the line,” Snyder said. “They have been doing great filling in those spots.”
The Bulldogs hope to secure an eighth consecutive playoff appearance as Doddridge moves up to Class AA. Recent Bulldog teams to advance to postseason play have been able to keep opposing defenses honest with balanced offensive attacks.
“Every year that we have been in the semifinals or the championship, we have been able to run the ball and pass as well,” Burnside said. “That’s what we want to be able to do. I don’t know what percentage that is. We’ve got weapons in both spots. We just want to be able to utilize them.”