The Corrigan-Camden Bulldogs will remain on the road Friday, as they travel to face the Alto Yellowjackets in their final match before district play begins.
Friday will mark the first meeting between the two programs since 2019, when Alto came to Corrigan and earned a 40-15 victory. The teams also met the previous season in Alto, with Corrigan-Camden coming away with a win.
Corrigan enters Friday’s matchup at 1-2 after falling 42-9 at Shelbyville last week. The Bulldogs opened the season with a loss to Hardin before responding with a 35-22 victory over Colmesneil.
Alto also enters the week at 1-2, but is coming off its first victory of the season. The Yellowjackets opened with a narrow 32-30 loss at Groveton and fell 60-20 against West Sabine before bouncing back last Friday with a 38-9 road win over Normangee.
The Yellowjackets are under the direction of first-year head coach Scott Ponder, who took over the program in January after leading Mount Enterprise to a 14-1 season and a state semifinal appearance last year.
Ponder has more than 30 years of coaching experience and previously led Petrolia to a state championship.
“He is definitely a heck of a coach and is going to get that team motivated for success. They are on the right track with their win last week,” said Bulldog head coach Brett Ratliff. “We expect some power-option style football from the gun with the quarterback as the main weapon, running or throwing.”
The Yellowjackets finished 4-6 last season under then-head coach Brock Grigsby.
Senior quarterback Camdyn Almond is among the key returning players. Almond entered the season as a three-year starter after earning first-team all-district honors last year.
Senior Erick Olvera has been Alto’s leading receiver, while the Yellowjacket defense has also received production from junior Kylen Rosales and senior Derek Jordan.
For Corrigan, Friday offers an opportunity to rebound from last week’s loss and build some momentum heading into district play.
Bulldog senior running back Derrick Reagie, sophomore receiver Emmanuel Foreman and sophomore quarterback Mikey Murphy have been Corrigan’s key playmakers on offense so far this season.
“We need to be able to sustain drives on offense and hold onto the ball when we get it,” Ratliff said. “Defensively we’re doing a good job getting turnovers and stops, but we also have to be able to get off the field on third down.”
Friday is Corrigan-Camden’s final non-district game before the Bulldogs begin district play at home against Centerville on Sept. 25.
Kickoff between the Bulldogs and Yellowjackets is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at Alto.
