2016 Football Preview: Portageville Bulldogs

Head coach: Jeff Bullock, 5th season (26-15)

2015 record: 6-4

District: Class 1, District 1

Conference: SEMO West (Chaffee, Hayti, Scott City)

Playoff finish: Lost 34-18 to East Prairie in first round of districts

Returning starters on offense: 5

Returning starters on defense: 6

Notes: Possibly the biggest transition for the Bulldogs this season will be in class. Portageville was moved from Class 2 to Class 1, District 1 after the district realignment which includes Barat Academy, Chaffee, Crystal City, Hayti, Scott City, St. Vincent and the defending Class 1 state champion Valle Warriors. The second change will be looking to fill holes left by a host of graduating seniors while combating a lack of depth with 30 players on the roster. Graduating quarterback Jon Garrett Kellams was a first-team, all-conference selection taking full advantage of Portageville's pass-happy attack and setting school records. He recorded the most passing yards in a season with 2,095 and also set the passing touchdown mark with 31. Daniel McCray, another all-conference pick, led the Bulldogs in rushing and Will Crysler was a valuable receiver and defensive back that the Bulldogs will miss. Replacing Kellams has required a bit of a QB battle between former wide receiver Ian Torrey (Jr.) and Connor Barham (Soph.), but it's expected that Torrey, who's possibly the best athlete Portageville has, will take the starting spot. Rejoining the offense along with Torrey is returning receivers Ryan Priggel (Sr.) and Hunter Gates (Jr.) with Lamar Alexander expected to seize the rushing duties after two seasons of backing up McCray. Priggel, Treavis Johnson (Sr.) and Brian Pearson (Sr.) return as all-conference defensive selections. Chris Garmon (Sr.), Nicholas Allred (Sr.), Bryce Lowman, Chance Lovins, Jay Maltbia (Soph.), RJ Nelson and Justin Battley also return.

From the coach: "I really like where we're headed with this group. There's not a whole lot of numbers, but if we can stay healthy we're going to compete week in and week out. And hopefully we'll improve as the year goes." -- Jeff Bullock

Roster

Schedule

2015 results