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DECATUR — Ryan Woolard is looking forward to the opportunity he has in Decatur. Woolard, 33, was hired in July as the Bulldogs' new football coach after Shane Hol - land resigned at the end of the school year. Woolard comes to Decatur after coach- ing seven years as an assistant at his alma mater, McDonald County (Mo.) High School. "I've been a Mustang my entire life, but I'm excited to get out and be a Bull- dog," said Woolard, a Missouri Southern State graduate. After winning six games in 2012, the Bulldogs have only won seven total over the last four seasons combined, including a 1-8 mark last season. The Bulldogs' only victory came in Week 8 against Western Yell County 28-14 in a 2A-4 Conference game. "I know it hasn't been real great," Woolard said. "I want to have the op - portunity to try to build the program. I interviewed with the superintendent, Mr. (Jeff ) Gravette, and he made me feel at home. So did Mr. Conrad and Coach Unger. I'm just a country kid from Mc- Donald County. These are country kids. I thought that would be a good fit for me and for them." Decatur is once again fighting the same battle it's always fought when it comes to varsity football — numbers. The Bulldogs had a small group of kids attending practices before school started on Aug. 14. On the first day of school, they had around 18, but only 14 showed up for picture day on Aug. 15, which caused a re-evaluation of whether or not the school should field a team in 2017. By the end of the day, Decatur football was a go for the 2017 season. Woolard said his goal is to eventually get around 22 kids playing football. "Coach Unger said 22 is about the most they've had in several years," Woolard said. "We're trying to get to that number this year and each year go from there. "The kids that we do have out are doing great, showing up on time and working hard," Woolard said. "It's been a challenge, but I think the pieces are starting to line together." Offensively, Decatur will operate out of the I-formation with bits of shotgun and pistol sprinkled in from time to time. "I like to mix it up a little bit," Woolard said. "We have team speed. That's our biggest asset. We're going to try to get the ball to the playmakers and let them run." Sophomore Joseph Armstrong will take the controls at quarterback for the Bulldogs. "Playing quarterback has kind of been a new thing for him," Woolard said. "He's a smart kid, real athletic kid. I think he'll be able to take the reins and grow from where he's been." Decatur Bulldogs *2A-4 Conference Game 2017 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE DATE OPPONENT Sept. 1 Berryville 7 pm Sept. 8 at Gentry 7 pm Sept. 11 Grove, OK (JV) 7 pm Sept. 22 Mountainburg* 7 pm Sept. 29 at Magazine* 7 pm Oct. 6 at Hackett* 7 pm Oct. 13 Westside* 7 pm Oct. 20 at Western Yell Co.* 7 pm Oct. 27 Danville* 7 pm Nov. 2 at Lavaca* 7 pm HANDY MART Give trust, and you'll get it double in return 141 E. Roller Ave. • Decatur, AR 479-752-3776 E R ll A D t AR WE ARE OPEN 24 HOURS! Money Orders • Bill Payments Payroll Check Cashing Phone Cards Hunt Brothers Pizza Hot Food • Fishing & Hunting License, Fishing Gear Cold Beer • Wine NOW SERVING SMOOTHIES, SCOOP ICE CREAM & MILK SHAKES 141 141 Go Bulldogs! 6 COLD DRINKS & ICE - WE HAVE - 2017 Football Preview 16 n Wednesday, August 23, 2017 The Herald-Leader/Westside Eagle Observer Woolard Bulldogs under new leadership n Former McDonald County (Mo.) assistant Ryan Woolard takes over as head coach. By Graham Thomas Staff Writer n gthomas@nwadg.com Armstrong Haisman Lee See DECATUR on Page 17