There are no magic cures in high school football, but the Trenton Bulldogs, ailing from three-straight losses to start the 2018 season, are hoping homecoming will be the power source needed to jump start the team and begin to reverse its fortunes.
“This week has been good for our boys,” Trenton Head Coach Brandon Boswell said. “To be honest, even if it wasn’t homecoming week I think our kids’ spirits would be good. In all, this conference is still wide open and we have a chance to win six games. These kids understand that and it speaks to their character. They keep working hard. I truly believe good things are to come.”
Also helping Trenton will be the opponent. Though no one can be overlooked when you are 0-3, Putnam County (1-2) – at least record-wise – is a tier lower than the opponents Trenton has dealt with over the past three weeks. Then there is history, which is also on Trenton’s side. Putnam County hasn’t defeated Trenton one time in over a decade.
Putnam County has a new coach this season as well. Dave Cavanah stepped down following last season and Clyde Bondy has taken over. Bondy has been with the Midgets for the past 16 seasons, serving in roles ranging from position coach to offensive and defensive coordinator. He now takes the reigns as the program’s head coach for the first time, however.
“(Putnam County) is running more of an option-style offense like we did last year,” Boswell said. “They are a little more different in that they aren’t afraid to spread defenses out and throw the ball around. Levi Fowler is a really good quarterback that can beat you with his arm and feet.”
The Midgets’ season has been a mixed bag. In week one, Putnam handled LeBlond fairly easily, limiting the Golden Eagles to just 202 yards of total offense. In week two, however, South Shelby’s Brock Wood ran for 205 yards and four touchdowns on his own. The Cardinals had 364 yards rushing total as Putnam County was handed a 44-20 loss. Week three saw Putnam County’s defense regain its form, but the Midgets were shut out, falling 12-0 to South Harrison.
“I think it will all hinge on our offensive line and quarterback play,” Boswell said. “Our offensive line has been able to get movement on our last two opponents so I expect they will continue to do the same. As for Sam (Schilling), he will be starting his fourth game at quarterback and continues to show signs of improvement. He gets more and more confident each practice and gains a better understanding of what (Assistant) Coach (Wes) Croy is trying to do. Ultimately, if we take care of the football this Friday we feel confident that we can do some really good things offensively. I truly believe it is only a matter of time until this offense takes off and starts putting up big numbers against people.”
The Bulldogs and Midgets will kick off from C.F. Russell Stadium in Trenton at 7 o’clock.
A pre-game tailgate presented by the Trenton High School FCCLA and FBLA will be held at the Eastside Park shelterhouse south of the stadium. The event begins at 5 o’clock and is an eat-what-you-want, pay-what-you-want event.

Quick Look At The Putnam County Midgets
Head Coach: Clyde Bondy, 17th year at Putnam County, 1st as head coach
2018 Record: 1-2, 0-1 GRC
Last Week: Lost 12-0 to South Harrison at home
The Midgets tested a Grand River Conference frontrunner in the first week of conference play, falling by just two touchdowns to South Harrison. Putnam County wasn’t able to score on Assistant Coach Erik Coffey’s South Harrison defense, however. The Midgets, after opening the season with a 26-12 win over LeBlond, have now lost two straight. Like Trenton, the Midgets have not yet reached the 30-point plateau in a game this season.
Who To Watch: Levi Fowler, Sr. (5-10, 165), QB #4
Quarterback Levi Fowler is the trigger man for the Putnam County offense. Expect him to be the go to guy for offense from the Midgets. Fowler has throwing abilities, but it is his legs that will do the most damage for the Putnam County offense. Trenton will need to have eyes on number 4 all night.
Who To Watch: Tony Bondy, Jr. (5-8, 175), LB #15
Bondy had a team-high 19 tackles last week in Putnam County’s loss to South Harrison. Bondy is the player Trenton needs to steer clear of when the Bulldogs have the ball. As his 19 tackles last week would suggest, however, Bondy has a nose for the ball.

Trenton Projected Starters
Offense
QB 13 Sam Schilling 6-0 174 Jr.
RB 28 Carson Radcliff 6-1 165 Sr.
FB 21 Mark Trump 5-10 175 Jr.
TE 24 Jadan Whitney 5-9 200 Sr.
OT 79 Hunter Trask 5-11 250 Sr.
OG 57 Jerrick Stotts 5-6 229 Jr.
C 60 Nick Wattenbarger 5-10 175 Sr.
OG 56 Payden McCullough 5-3 152 So.
OT 75 Carson Burchett 6-0 239 Jr.
TE 44 Isaac Harris 5-9 175 Sr.
WR 10 Nick Shields 6-0 160 Sr.
Defense
DE 17 Dalton Burchett 6-0 190 Jr.
DT 79 Hunter Trask 5-11 250 Sr.
DT 57 Jerrick Stotts 5-6 229 Jr.
DE 75 Carson Burchett 6-0 239 Jr.
LB 35 Noah Lewis 5-9 175 Jr.
LB 24 Jadan Whitney 5-9 200 Sr.
LB 44 Isaac Harris 5-9 175 Sr.
SS 23 Jaren Whitney 5-9 166 Jr.
CB 10 Nick Shields 6-0 160 Sr.
CB 28 Carson Radcliff 6-1 165 Sr.
FS 25 Matt Sibbit 5-9 175 Sr.

GRC Standings
Milan 1-0 3-0
Princeton 1-0 2-1
So.Harrison 1-0 2-1
Gallatin 1-0 2-1
Putnam Co. 0-1 1-2
Trenton 0-1 0-3
Polo 0-1 0-3
MAYSVILLE 0-1 0-3