While there is no way to truly replace an accomplished head coach such as Doug Buckmaster, who stepped away from the position at Carl Junction after last season, the Bulldogs will have a familiar face at the helm of the program for the upcoming 2023 season.
Former Carl Junction football coach Todd Hafner is returning to the sidelines and taking over the Bulldogs once again. Hafner previously coached the CJ football team from 1997-2000 and is excited for his return.
“Obviously, Coach Buck did so many good things here,” Hafner said of his predecessor. “He had so much success and anytime you follow someone like that, there is pressure to keep it going. The last couple of years, they have been through some things, but to be honest, the program was left in very good shape. There are very good players here who are very football knowledgeable, and I think Coach Buckmaster has a lot to do with that.
“As far as me being back, I can’t be more excited about what’s going on here right now. To be back at Carl Junction, a place my wife and I are both familiar with. We still have friends here, and the community has been fantastic. More importantly, the kids have been fantastic. Our summer program was phenomenal and it carried over to fall practices. We are really looking forward to getting the season started.”
With a new head coach at the helm, there will be some scheming changes on the field this season for the Bulldogs. Carl Junction will run the pistol option on offense and 4-2-5 defensive look.
“I think the change in the offensive scheme for us really suits our team’s personnel right now,” Hafner said. “I think that being able to control the ball and control the clock, and do some different things like that, is only going to benefit us in the long run.
“Defensively, it’s a little bit of a bend, but don’t break. We have some really good players on defense. We just want to give ourselves a chance to win games in the fourth quarter.”
Fortunately, Hafner has an experienced senior class for his first year back at the helm, with several other upperclassmen bringing back extensive varsity snaps as well.
“Those kids are great leaders and really, really good football players,” Hafner said. “The junior and senior class together, those kids really make up our team. We will sprinkle some sophomores in, but for the most part, those kids are going to be our starters and key contributors.”
Among the seniors returning with experience for Carl Junction are quarterback Dexter Merrell, OL/DL Aiden Beachner, RB/LB Johnny Starks, TE/LB Bentley Rowden and RB/DB Kyler Stewart as well as OL Pason Winder and Dylan Robbins. WR Quin Kennedy, OL Bryce Battaglia and DE Eli Zavala are also expected to make an impact at the varsity level.
“We always talk about experience,” Hafner said of his upperclassmen. “It really means a lot to a new coach. There are lots of things that I don’t know about in terms of the conference, the players and the teams. These kids know what the expectations are and how hard they have to work to win games each and every week. … Our success will be built around them. With the leadership of these guys, we are going to give ourselves plenty of opportunities.”
Returning juniors include RB/OLB Tony Stewart, RB Zaidan Tauililli, WR/DB Ryder Pyles and DL Ony Mondestin. Several sophomores to look for at the varsity level are OL Gavin Beachner, OL Blake Starks and RB/DB Marcus Lopez-Durman.
Heading into the season, Coach Hafner is pleased with what he has seen from his squad to this point. He believes the strengths of the team lie within the skill positions on offense and the linebacker group of the defense, with plenty of experience coming back at those positions.
Of course, as Week 1 approaches, there are areas he’d like to see some progression from his Bulldogs as the year develops, most notably the work in the trenches on both sides of the ball.
“We need to be able to get after the quarterback,” Hafner said. “There are so many teams in this conference that like to air it out a little bit, or even pass to set up the run, but we have to be able to pass rush off the edge and get a little pressure inside. Offensively, we have to be able to move people on the line. We have to do a good job scheming and things like that.”
Carl Junction opens the season at home with a COC matchup against Ozark on Aug. 25.
“I want to see our kids compete,” Hafner said when asked what he wants to see from his team in Year 1 when he looks back after the season. “I want to see them compete every snap of every game. Just go lay it on the line. Have some pride in being a Carl Junction Bulldog and just go compete your guts out every single play. I believe if the kids do that, we will have a chance to win many games.”
