Last year Suwannee faced a host of new teams, Monarch from Colorado, Evangel Christian from Louisiana and Paul Bryant in Alabama. They also played Seabreeze High for the first time. This year, Suwannee continues this new tradition. They faced Flanagan High from South Florida in their kick-off game and now take on Tampa Jesuit in their third game of the year, the second in season play. Suwannee also faces Washington High School, another new team and replays Seabreeze in Daytona Beach again this year.

Head Football Coach Jay Walls was happy with the way the Dogs played against Columbia.



“We made two offensive mistakes,” Walls said. “But we had a little luck. The defense did a great job. They forced Columbia to punt numerous times and held them to four first downs.”



Walls is looking forward to a good performance from his team against Tampa Jesuit.



“I think we proved we have a good team,” Walls said. “But now we got a bulls-eye on our chest.”



Tampa Jesuit’s team is the Tigers and they are a Class 3-A school. They run a pro-style offense using all kinds of formations according to Walls. They are balanced and run and throw the ball.



The Tampa Jesuit defense runs a 50 defense. Walls said they play hard and have good technique. They have some speed on the defensive line.



Walls said Tampa Jesuit has a couple of good skill players on the offense and good-sized players on defense.



Jesuit has only played one game so far this year. They defeated Countryside 27-10.



Suwannee has several injured players. Quarterback Rheed Baldwin suffered a high ankle sprain in the Columbia game and will miss the Tampa Jesuit game. Back-up quarterback Ryan Hight will start for Suwannee Friday night. Bruce Johnson has a back injury and is out until further notice. Wide receiver Seth Shaw had appendicitis and is out for several more games.



“We’ve got some banged up kids,” Walls said. “But we found out what some of these kids can do in a tight situation. They stepped up.”



Because there was no JV game last week, all of Suwannee’s players dressed out for the game against the Tigers. Some of them even played.



Billy Moran was Suwannee’s Hustle Award winner for the Columbia game. Moran had an interception at the end of the game that put it away for Suwannee. He also came in and punted for Baldwin, played defense and ran the ball for a lot of yards. Moran gave 100 percent during the Columbia game and that’s what the Hustle Award is all about. The Hustle Award is sponsored by Mercantile Bank.



The game will be at 6:30 p.m. instead of the regular 7:30 p.m. According to Walls, there are two reasons. The first reason is the FSU/Miami game is going to be played that night. Fans will be able to attend the Bulldogs’ game and make it home in time to catch some of the Seminole’s game. The second reason is the distance Tampa Jesuit has to travel to get home.

So come out and watch the Bulldogs. Remember the game starts at 6:30 p.m. Go Dogs!



Janet Schrader may be reached by calling 1/386/362-1734 ext. 134 or by e-mail at janet.schrader@gaflnews.com.