 |
| Serving Callaway County communities since 1875. | www.fultonsun.com | Sunday, July 05, 2009 |
| |||||||
|
Rulo: Bulldogs ‘need to find themselves' By RYAN BOLAND The Fulton Sun
Despite last week's mistake-filled, 45-9 home loss to state-ranked Blair Oaks in the Class 2, District 6 opener, a first-ever playoff berth remains within South Callaway's grasp. The Bulldogs (4-4, 0-2 Mid-Missouri Conference) - who have lost two in a row - travel to winless Southern Boone tonight. Kickoff is at 7. The Indians (0-8, 0-3) lost at Hallsville 36-6 in their district opener last week. In tonight's other District 6 game, Hallsville (2-6) travels to Blair Oaks (7-1), ranked No. 5 in the state. Under the Missouri State High School Activities Association's expanded postseason format this season, the top two teams in each district advance to the playoffs. “That's what we're playing for, what we're desiring, what we're talking about,” Rulo said Wednesday night. “We need two great weeks of football.” Rulo, though, emphasized that the Bulldogs need to rediscover their identity - and do it in quick fashion. “But we have to be smart and take care of business. We need to go out and find ourselves, and that means getting back to clicking on both sides of the football.” In particular, South Callaway has to clean up errors from an offensive standpoint. The Bulldogs committed five turnovers and Blair Oaks converted them all into points last week. South Callaway senior quarterback Justin Struttmann was intercepted a season-high four times, including three in the end zone. Struttmann also lost a fumble. Six of the Bulldogs' possessions reached Falcons territory, five making it into the red zone. However, South Callaway managed just one touchdown on junior wide receiver Grady Bartley's 11-yard run late in the game. “It's a matter of consistency,” Rulo said. “I'm tired of our inconsistency. We have to be able to run a play consistently every time, no matter who is on the other side of the ball.” Meanwhile, the Bulldogs defense allowed 507 yards of total offense last week and forced just one turnover. Blair Oaks quarterback Justin Eiken ran for three scores and also threw touchdown passes covering 67 and 36 yards. “I really don't want to see us giving up big plays,” Rulo said. “We've got to make a team march down the field. We have to tackle well and get back to basics. “We need to be more physical and set the tone for the game. We're still working on that.” Rulo believes his players possess the resolve to get their season back on track and remain in the playoff hunt. “They've responded well to the loss to Blair Oaks,” Rulo said. “I've seen an energy in practice this week, and we need that to make us more focused and more ready. “That's a daily battle, from the beginning of the season to the end.” |
 |
Email this story | |
 |
Back to index | |
 |
Printer friendly version |
All Contents Copyright © 2009 The Fulton Sun. All rights reserved. AP stories Copyright © 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Click for copyright details.
Comments or questions? Contact us.