Season Review: Bulldogs built momentum

Mission Bulldog football had the textbook definition of a turnaround season. After starting out with three straight losses, they reeled off five straight to qualify for the 8-man playoffs. Two of those three losses were against top three ranked undefeated teams in the final power poll. Two of their losses were within a single score of pulling even.

Having graduated 13 from the preceding season, filling vacancies from graduation coupled with adjustments to filling new roles needed an orientation period. Given the caliber of the talent they faced at the onset of the schedule, the Bulldogs were far better than reflected by their then 0-3 record.

Thereafter, the team would go on to outscore their opposition by an almost 3:1 ratio, 246-86.

With Tyler Murray in his fourth year at the helm, the Bulldogs made the playoffs for the second season in a row. Despite their abbreviated foray into the postseason bracket, the Bulldogs made an impression upon some of those in attendance, anticipating that Mission will be a force to be reckoned with over the next couple of years with the additional seasoning acquired by their returning players.

The Bulldogs rushed for over 1,000 yards on the ground, led by over 500 yards from Layne Spidel. A trio of others in the backfield acquired century club credentials for ground yardage gains among the hundreds.

Quarterback Kellen McClure threw for close to 1,800 yards, connecting with 11 different receivers over the course of the season. Three receivers who reeled in at least 400 receiving yards were Canyon Sargent, John Komotios and Bryce Umphrey.