The Summer Creek Bulldogs could’ve easily been one of the best teams in the state that didn’t make the playoffs last year. After a 5-0 start, including a win over Pearland Dawson and crushing two district foes, the Bulldogs finished 2016 with four straight losses.
Three of the losses were to playoff teams Atascocita (26-10), Kingwood (15-0) and North Shore (50-22). The other was a 35-32 setback to Channelview.
Summer Creek had an incredible one-two punch with quarterback John Holcombe and running back Myles Wanza. The Bulldogs averaged 32.4 points a game in 2016 while allowing only 22 per contest.
Key Losses
RB Myles Wanza, CB Jordan Williams, LB Jeremiah Reece
Wanza rushed for 1,600 yards and 22 touchdowns last year. Deon Cormier led the Bulldogs in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches last year.
Key Returners
QB John Holcombe, LB Mason Dahl, OL Christian Duffie
Holcombe has good size at 6-4, 230 pounds. Last year he passed for 1,200 yards and eight touchdowns and ran for 175 more yards with four touchdowns. Holcombe already has offers from SMU, Illinois and Incarnate Word. He’s a three-star quarterback ranked No. 31 in the nation among dual-threat quarterbacks.
Duffie (6-4, 300) and Keevon Kenebrew (5-11, 295) give the Summer Creek offense some firepower up front and to give Holcombe time in the pocket.
Dahl was a first-team selection on the all-district team last year.
The Verdict
Summer Creek has the right pieces to make a run to the playoffs in 2017. Holcombe has the perfect tools as a dual-threat quarterback, and he’s got the top offensive linemen back from last year’s team.
The Bulldogs bring back experience on defense, with linebacker Mason Dahl directing it.
Summer Creek will get tested in the second week again at Dawson, and District 21-6A starts with Goose Creek, Sterling and King before taking on Atascocita.
Summer Creek has the talent to get past Kingwood and Channelview, and should they slip past either North Shore or Atascocita as well, then the Bulldogs could be in a prime playoff spot.
Brought to you by:
