Bulldogs look to continue strong start

Doug Powell has dealt with plenty of adversity in his first season as the head coach at Waldron.

He didn’t get to see his players until April because of the coronavirus pandemic, despite being hired in February. The pandemic also kept the Bulldogs, like teams across the state, from holding spring workouts and 7-on-7 events in the summer. But they are still off to a 2-0 start.

Powell, who is Waldron’s third head coach in four years, credits players and coaches alike for the success.

“I really relied upon my coaching staff,” Powell said. “I didn’t change any schemes. My approach has just been details. My focus has been with this senior group and they’ve responded. They’ve tried to do what I’ve asked.

“We’ve got a good sophomore bunch. So far, they’ve been gelling together. They want to win.”

It sure looks like it since the Bulldogs have already equaled the two-win total of each of the last two seasons.

Senior Braden Williams is a three-year starter at quarterback who’s complete 22 of 29 passes for 360 yards and nine touchdowns in two games as a senior. He opened the season by throwing for four touchdowns in a 44-29 win over Gentry. He was just as active on defense, where he made six tackles with two sacks and also added two interceptions in the season-opening win over Mansfield.

Waldron has a chance to win more games than it did in each of the last two seasons with a win Friday against 2-0 Atkins. But Powell said that won’t be easy.

“It should be a good game,” Powell said. “We should push each other and get us ready for conference play.”