Pasadena High's Bulldogs Are Back in Action

After three weeks off, the Pasadena Bulldogs football team went right back to work Monday, beginning their final preparations before their season opener against perennial power at Alemany on Sept. 2.

The Bulldogs, who finished last year at 4-6, are looking forward to the challenges that they face, including watching junior starting quarterback Brandon Cox develop after playing a full year under head coach Randy Horton.

“Cox and the guys look more comfortable now after going through the summer practices,” Horton said. “Cox took the helms last year and established himself as the leader of the team. It’s important for a man like him to step up and help control the offense to get the season rolling.”

Getting Defensive

One area the Bulldogs are looking to shore up this season is the defense. Pasadena gave up 30 points per game and all six of its losses were blowouts, including a 63-6 beat down by Muir in the Turkey Tussle.

“All throughout the offseason, we pretty much hit the books,” Horton said. “These guys have learned their roles, where they are supposed to be at times. But the main key is effort. Guys need to be in better shape running to the football and knowing what to do to make those plays happen”

Conditioning has been crucial throughout the off-season. Starting defensive back Marcus Green and the rest of the defensive front have pressured themselves both off and on the field to be mentally ready.

“When we get out there come Week One, we have to be both mentally and physically prepared,” Green said. “Last year when the lead would grow, we would let ourselves down. Now we try to encourage one another, learning from our mistakes from last year, and it starts in the weight room.”

Historically the Bulldogs have fallen in the middle of the Pacific League standings, and have not made the playoffs since 2007. They have played well against the bottom half of the league, but play a different game against the league leaders. Last season Pasadena allowed over 40 points against the teams ahead of them in the standings, which included a loss to Muir. Horton expects a major change in that front.

Senior Leadership

With nearly half of their roster made up of seniors last year, the Bulldogs also find themselves in the midst of looking for a true leader on the team. Speed running back Cleo Bates has looked good during the summer and preseason workouts. Bates took most of the carries during their Tuesday workouts in full pads in the afternoon, and looks comfortable with the role of starter and team leader.

“With myself and Bates and a number of our seniors, we have definitely stepped up our role as football leaders,” Green said. “In the weight room, on the field, and everything in between, we are trying our best to pick up where we left off, learn from our downfalls, and get this football team to where we need to be.”

Horton said he likes what he’s seen from Bates this summer.

“You can tell that guys like Bates have gotten stronger,” said Horton. “They did what they needed to do in the offseason. There is still a lot of work to be done but they’re getting there. It’s still a work in progress.”