Your 2020 Northwest Iowa Bulldogs start the season this Saturday July, 18th 7pm Kick-Off at Valor Field in Aurelia. The Bulldogs will take on the Western Dakota War Eagles. Both teams are new to the UCFL (United Championship Football League) and look to start the season with a win. So much new for the Bulldogs including the league. New Head Coach Marty Hart (Manson) looks to continue the winning tradition the Bulldogs started in 2015! Also new is Starting QB veteran Preston Peterson (Humboldt) who comes out of retirement to help lead the Bulldogs to another championship run. What’s not new over 30 returning Bulldogs lead by MLB Derek Nixon (Cherokee).
It’s no secret the Bulldogs O-Line has always been its life blood and most all return lead by Ben Montgomery (Calumet), Zach Nixon (Aurelia), and Clint Coderman (Cherokee). The Bulldogs signed all-stars Maysen Lupkes (Estherville) and Andrew Christophel (Estherville) to help shore up the line after a couple retirements. Brady Brehmer (Carroll) also was hired on as Offensive Coordinator and looks to bring some new plays but also continue the success pounding the rock with the big dogs up front. Plenty of speed on offense with RB TJ Pegram (Sioux City) on the outside speedsters D.J. Jackson (West Des Moines), Chavez Madden (Sioux City), Tristen Yap (Sioux City), and D.J. Hocken (Manning) will give the DB’s all they can handle and veteran TE Josh Kessell (Sioux City) returns.
On the Defensive side the Bulldogs added veteran All-Star Kamden Kramer (Rockwell City) and a couple good DB’s in Aston Gellert (Estherville) 2nd time with the dogs and Camryn Lupkes (Estherville) also hard hitter Shavar Diaz (Waterloo) and INT machine Omar Crawford Jr (Mobile) will add a spark to the Defense. Lots of fire power on D already with Taylor O’Neill (Omaha) leading the DB’s also John Hoefling (Marcus), Brad Scholten (Merrill), Michael Rosewell (Cherokee) up front. Bulldogs also brought back long-time player Taylor Wallin (Paullina), Corey Wortman (Correctionville), and Brian Darden (Galva) for depth and experience. Ex Pro Wrestler Ian Rappolt (Sioux City) returns as Special team’s coach and asst coach and Robert Corey (Sioux City) was hired as DL coach and will also return to play DL. New owner also as Bryan VanSickler (Ida Grove) purchased the Bulldogs in 2019 and has really stepped up and made everything happen. I must also mention that I am new to the team as the Voice for The Bulldogs after 7 years with the NIK and I truly can’t wait to call the game Saturday. The Bulldogs team hopes to see everybody Saturday night lets pack Valor field and help root the Northwest Iowa Bulldogs onto victory.
By Ryan Schmidt- The Voice For The Northwest Iowa Bulldogs. 7/14/20
