Bulldog senior trio glad to knock off archrival Roland

The 2024 high school football season could not have started off any better than it did on Sept. 5 for the Muldrow Bulldogs, not only winning their season opener but thumping the archrival Roland Rangers in the 2024 version of “The Battle of 64,” which the ’Dogs won 53-20 at home at Marty Rogers Field.

“It felt pretty good coming back after last year (a 21-14 loss at Roland in the 2023 season opener at Ranger Stadium),” Muldrow senior lineman Jonah Claborn said. “We were much more prepared, I feel like — defensively and offensively. We just ran the ball, and we let (quarterback) Teaguen (Collins), (receiver) Jermauree (Palmer) and those guys do their thing. That was our goal.”

Perhaps even more important than knocking off the archrival Rangers is the Bulldogs started the season 1-0 for the first time in two years since the ’Dogs opened the 2022 campaign 5-0.

“It feels good to set a tone,” Muldrow senior lineman Mark Gleason said. “A lot of people know we want to win a lot of ball games this year. We’re not the 1-9 team we were last year. We just want to go out there and hit somebody in the mouth.”

However, while all that was good and great on Sept. 5, it’s a brand new week with a brand new opponent to get ready for as the Bulldogs will travel to be in their first of back-to-back battle of Bulldogs when they will meet the Waldron (Ark.) Bulldogs at 7 tonight in Waldron before ending non-district play with another battle of Bulldogs on Sept. 20 at Spiro. So, the local ’Dogs have been working on not only Waldron, but making sure there is no letdown after the emotional win over Roland.

“It’s just a lot of discipline,” Muldrow senior tight end/linebacker Dakota Rushing said. “We’re trying to stay ready. We’re not trying to overlook any opponents this year. We want to stay prepared at all times and show people what team we are (in 2024). We’re not the team we were last year.”

For all three Muldrow senior football players, this final season as a Bulldog on the gridiron has brought up mixed emotions.

“I just want to play with my heart every time I step out on the field,” Rushing said. “I don’t want to leave any plays behind. I want to play every play like it’s your last. I want to be a team player and, hopefully, come out victorious.”

“I’m also going to try to play college football somewhere,” Gleason said. “I want to step up and make plays, and show college coaches what I can do is going to be a big part of this year — and leading those little guys to be as successful in the future.”

“I want to thank the coaches for everything he’s given me the last few years, helping the little guys with us so they can be better than we were last year,” Claborn said. “It (this season) is going to be great with all my teammates and my coaches. We’re going to get it done this year.”

• • •

TO GET THERE — Take U.S. 64 to Fort Smith, Ark., where it becomes Garrison Avenue. Continue to Towson Avenue, which is U.S. Business 71. Proceed South on Towson Avenue (U.S. Business 71 to Zero Street. Take Zero Street (U.S. Business 71) to where the highway turns right. Proceed south on U.S. Business 71, past Interstate 540, where it becomes U.S. 71. Proceed south on U.S. 71 to Waldron, Ark.