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Senior Alex Lee will be the backup quarterback, and he'll also start at run- ning back for the Bulldogs. "He's definitely one of our leaders on the team," Woolard said. "He's one of the best young players I've ever coached at far as work ethic and attitude and doing whatever's asked of him. He's a great kid." Seniors Johnny Brandon and Dylan Wells will also line up with Lee in the backfield at running back for the Bull - dogs. Senior Taylor Haisman returns at wide receiver for the Bulldogs. He caught 11 passes for 197 yards and a touchdown last year and is a state champion in track and field. "He's a really fast kid," Woolard said. "We're going to try to get the ball to him." Sophomore Sam Philpott and junior Austin Hamilton will also play some wide receiver. Sophomore Seth Rich also contributes at wide receiver. "Seth has great hands," Woolard said. "I think he might have the best hands on the team. He's only a sophomore so he's learning, but he's a great kid who works hard. I expect good things from him." Junior Cayden Bingham and Wells will line up some at tight end, which can also split out wide as a receiver. On the offensive line, the Perez brothers, senior Sebastian Perez and sophomore Javier Perez, will man guard positions. Junior Andy Thao can play center and tackle, while junior Takota Parsons also can play center and tackle. Sophomore Tony Trejo also helps on the offensive line. The same contributors on the offen - sive line will be key on the Bulldogs' defense, which will be coordinated by assistant coach Sheldon McKinzie. "I'm excited to have Sheldon on staff," Woolard said. "He's been very helpful with everything. He's a great coach to have. I'm glad we got him on board." The Bulldogs will be in a three-man front defensively. Javier Perez will play nose guard, while Thao and Sebastian Perez can play de - fensive end and linebacker. Wells can play defensive end or line- backer, while Parsons and Trejo can play on the defensive line. "We're going to rotate in and out there," Woolard said. "I prefer a four-man front, but because of numbers we're do- ing the best we can to save some energy." Lee will man the Bulldogs' MIKE line- backer position, while Bingham and Se- bastian Perez also play inside linebacker. Brandon is also an option at inside and outside linebacker. Haisman and Philpott will man the corners along with Hamilton and Rich, while Armstrong plays the free safety. 2017 Football Preview Wednesday, August 23, 2017 n 17 The Herald-Leader/Westside Eagle Observer DECATUR Continued from Page 16 Janelle Jessen/Herald-Leader The Decatur Bulldogs open the 2017 football season by hosting Berryville on Sept. 1. Another possibility is senior A.J. Tucker (5-8, 176), who has returned to the team after a year away from football. "If he stays with it, he's a potential defen- sive tackle of the year-type kid," Stilwell said. "He's the strongest kid we have weight-lift- ing wise. His sophomore and freshman year he couldn't be blocked. If he'll stick with it, he'll be a tremendous asset to us on the defensive line." At middle linebacker, the Engineers will have to replace the void left by departed senior Clayton Mitchell, who Stilwell called the Engineers' "workhorse." Junior Darrin Grant (5-6, 195) and soph - omore Jesse Guyll (5-10, 160) are battling at that position. Whoever doesn't win that job will prob- ably play a lot at an outside linebacker or "bandit" position. Junior Blayn Harlin (5-8, 150) is penciled in to man the other outside linebacker position. Freshman Lane Winningham (5-10, 150), junior Brandon Poindexter (5-11, 220) or senior Anthony Kirk (5-9, 220) could be op - tions to play an outside linebacker position. At safety, the Engineers must replace departed standout Joe Phifer. Senior Brendon Garriott (5-10, 145) will get the first crack at the safety position. "If anyone could replace Joe, Brendon Garriott's the guy who's going to do it," Stil - well said. "He's a long, lanky athletic kid that can trust to control the back end." Stilwell said Garriott's basically on his own at safety, but if a replacement was needed then Harlin would be the next can- didate to fill that spot. Offensively, the Engineers will stay in their two-tight end, full house back field and work out of the shotgun. Harlin will get the first crack at replacing Mitchell at the quarterback position. Last Mitchell had more than 1,300 yards rushing and 700 passing in leading the Engineers' offense. Sophomore Aaron Mitchell (6-0, 165) also is getting reps at quarterback as is se - nior Danny Fernandez (6-1, 217). "Quarterback is a big void to fill, but the few athletes we've got can play," Stilwell said. "If Danny can ever decide to be the man, we can put him at quarterback and he can do what Clayton did. Right now it's Blaine's job to lose." Guyll, Fernandez, Adams, Grant and Tucker will all be fighting for time at run - ning back. Fernandez led the team in touchdown runs last year and was the sec- ond-leading rusher behind Mitchell. Guyll might have the most potential of the bunch, his coach said. "Jesse could be the best running back to come through this school in a long time once he figures it out," Stilwell said. "He shows flashes. He's just got to put it all together." Adams, Tucker and Grant also could see time at the blocking fullback spot. "They're just tough kids," Stilwell said. The Engineers should have several receiving threats in Garriott, Kirk, Woods and Aaron Mitchell, if he's not playing quarterback. Garriott is more of a receiver-type player, while Kirk, Woods and Mitchell have more of a tight end build. The Engineers return all three offensive linemen from last year's team. Williams returns at center, while junior Braxton Stan - ley (5-10, 240) plays one guard spot. Senior Brett Wright (5-5, 235) or Fewell will play the other guard. Poindexter, freshman Bryce Thompson (5-9, 235) and junior Josh Farmer (5-11, 170) could all help on the offensive line. WATTS Continued from Page 15