HD/CAL undergoes system changes for season

Hampton-Dumont-CAL football will have a different look this year as both offense and defense will be undergoing system changes.

“We want to get better every single day,” coach Cole Miller said. “We need to use every day as a learning opportunity to get better.”

With a solid base of seniors and juniors to build upon, the Bulldogs won’t need to worry about inexperience while learning new playbooks.

Miller said that this team is dedicated to improving themselves and improving on their three-win season last year.

Miller said he felt like a broken record when talking about the players on the team, the Cal Heeren will head the offense as he did the year prior.

The senior passed for 898 yards last season.

He threw for seven touchdowns.

But, Heeren also threw seven interceptions and had a completion percentage of 46 percent. Miller said Heeren has been committed to getting stronger and faster.

“I expect him to take care of the ball a little better this season, and really step into a bigger leadership role for us,” Miller said.

Heeran has put in work during preseason to know his keys for each play.

In the backfield, Logan Pfeffer will take up as one of the leading running backs again this season.

He had 36 tackles, six sacks and nine tackles for a loss at the linebacker position.

Due to the physicality Pfeffer’s positions as a running back and linebacker, the Bulldogs will have a committee of ball carriers to take some of the load off.

Pfeffer has spent the summer preparing for the military, which should keep him in good shape. “As far as football goes, we are expecting him to have another huge impact for the team this season,” Miller said.

Senior Tate Schmitt will be the anchor on the defense this season. “He was very solid for us last season, and we will need him to be solid for us again,” Miller said.

Schmitt was second in tackles last year with 51 total tackles, six sacks and 19 tackles for a loss.

Schmitt has done everything asked of him this offseason.

He should have an impact on offense this year, recording 12 receptions for 158 yards and two touchdown receptions last season.

HD/CAL will travel to West Fork for the season opener on Friday.

The game starts at 7:30 p.m.