Midland Bulldogs look to put bite on Amarillo

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The Midland Bulldogs have shown they can score early this season. This week, they will face Amarillo. | midlandhighfootball.com

Prep Football Preview

Sept. 8

7 p.m.

Dick Bovines Stadium

3101 SE 10th Street, Amarillo

Preview

The Midland Bulldogs (2-0) have shown offensive prowess early, putting an average of 43.5 points on the board in their first two games. The defense has held its own, as well, holding each of the first two opponents at 14 or fewer points per game.

This week, they’ll be traveling to take on the Amarillo Sandies (1-!), who lost to Midland's district rival Midland Legacy in the season opener, but bounced back to defeat New Mexico’s Cleveland team, 28-27, in overtime.

Midland’s defense held Coronado scoreless in the final three quarters Friday while the offense relied on four running scores to take a 29-13 halftime lead that they built on in the second half to woin 48-13.

Elijah McCoy has put up 259 yards on the ground in two games this year, scoring one touchdown. The attack is balanced with a passing game, where Anthony Kolb is averaging almost 7 yards per catch, including one touchdown reception.

Athen Dominguez has been a defensive force, with eight solo tackles and 12 assists to go with one interception. Noah Crumpler pressures the opposing quarterback and has one sack.

Amarillo’s Rylan Leathers proved he can take over a game, pulling down two fourth-quarter passes for scores on Friday to force the extra session. Another Sandies player who can make big plays is Jaylend Brashears, who fielded a kick after a bounce and scampered 95 yards for a touchdown against Cleveland.

The Sandies defense also stood tall, stopping a two-point conversion in the overtime and saving the victory. The Sandies come into the season with a track record of playoff appearances, as well.

Teams

Midland 

6A Region 1, District 2

Enrollment: 1,245

Amarillo

5A-1 Region 1, District 2

Enrollment: 2,140

Coaches

Head Coach Thad Fortune, Midland

3rd Season, 8-13 all-time record heading into 2023

Playoff Appearances: 0 in 2 seasons

Head Coach Chad Dunnam, Amarillo

6th Season, 37- 21 heading into 2023

Playoff Appearances: 5 in 5 seasons

Records 

Midland 

2023: 2-0

2022: 5-5

Amarillo

2023: 1-1

2022: 6-6, lost 56-28 to Midlothian in second round of playoffs 

Last Meeting

Sept. 8, 2022

Amarillo 27, Midland 8

Players to Watch

Midland

SB Anthony Kolb (Jr.)

RB Elijah McCoy (5’8, Jr.)

FS Athen Dominguez (Sr.)

Amarillo 

WR/DB Rylan Leathers (6’1, 170, Sr.)

RB Pius Vokes (6’0, 220, Sr.)

RB/OLB Eddy Mpela (6’2, 211, Sr.)

RB/CB Jaylend Brashears (5’9, 170, Jr.) 

Season Schedules

Midland

Week 1: Midland 39, Montwood 14 

Week 2: Midland 48, Coronado 13

Week 3: at Amarillo

Week 4: vs. Monterey

Week 5: at Andress

Week 6: bye

Week 7: at San Angelo Central

Week 8: at Frenship (district)

Week 9: vs. Odessa (district)

Week 10: at Midland Legacy (district)

Week 11: vs. Permian (district)

Amarillo

Week 1: Midland Legacy 35, Amarillo 7

Week 2: Amarillo 28, Cleveland 27 OT

Week 3: vs. Midland 

Week 4: at Odessa

Week 5: vs. Tascosa (district)

Week 6: vs. Caprock (district)

Week 7: at Lubbock-Cooper (district)

Week 8: vs. Coronado (district)

Week 9: bye

Week 10: at Abilene (district)

Week 11: vs.Monterey (district)

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