Team at a glance
NICKNAME Bulldogs
COLORS Blue and white
STADIUM 160 Ridgewood Road, Riverside
ENROLLMENT 1,509
CLASS 6A
COACH Otto Zeman
2007 RECORD 5-5
CONFERENCE 5-1, 1st

TOP RETURNERS  
Nate Burau    sr.    OL
William Hanley    sr.    OL
Anthony Kilcoyne    sr.    WR
Shane Kilcoyne    sr.    WR
Will Lusthoff    sr.    WR
Evan Poplin    jr.    C
Bill VandeMerkt    jr.    QB
Tyler Wienke    sr.    QB/WR
Matt Kenehan    jr.    K
John Mossman    sr.    DB
Matt Regnier    sr.    LB
Billy Vermillion    sr.    DL

PROMISING NEWCOMERS
Jesse Favela    sr.    WR
David Lutz    sr.    WR
Mark McDonagh    jr.    WR
Juan Gomez-Velez    jr.    DB
Ian Robertson    jr.    LB
Marty Calkins    sr.    LB
Peter Szumski    sr.    LB
Brandan Cook    jr.    DB
Anil Thapa    sr.    DB
Nick Marra    sr.    DL
Andrew Biggerstaff    sr.    DL

2008 SCHEDULE
Aug. 29 vs. Metamora, 7 p.m.
Sept. 6 at Nazareth, 1:30 p.m.
Sept. 12 at Robeson, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 vs. Fenton, 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 vs. Elmwood Park, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 at Ridgewood, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 at Fenton, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 at Elmwood Park, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 vs. Ridgewood, 7 p.m.

GAMES TO WATCH
Aug. 29 vs. Metamora Redbird have dealt R-B two straight season-opening losses
Sept. 6 at Nazareth Bulldogs got blanked 47-0 last season and should be hungrier than ever in this local rivalry
Sept. 19  vs. Fenton Bulldogs begin MSC defense after two teams split the series in 2007
 
Five-year record
overall    conference    playoffs
‘07    5-5    5-1    1st Rd.
‘06    3-6    2-4
‘05    5-5    4-1    1st Rd.
‘04    8-3    5-0    2nd Rd.
‘03    8-3    5-0    2nd Rd.

Wideouts are wild
After a bit of research during the offseason, Coach Zeman opted to tweak his pass-happy offensive philosophy. And this is something R-B fans need to see to believe.
The offensive linemen have been replaced with wide receivers, which will keep defenses guessing on which skill player will be coming out for a pass and which skill player will remain ineligible (depending on line of scrimmage alignment). Each offensive skill player will be wearing a wide receiver number to create even more confusion and the former offensive linemen have all been moved to the defensive line. 
“We’re going to use different formations and lineup and go,” Zeman said. “We’re excited about the year. The kids like it and it’s working pretty well.”

Billy the kid
After beginning the 2007 season with a 0-3 mark, the Bulldogs made a significant position switch prior to Week 4 against Elmwood Park. Sophomore quarterback Bill VandeMerkt was named the starter. VandeMerkt led R-B to a 21-0 win over the Tigers and he went on to guide the Bulldogs to a 5-1 record during remainder of the regular season. That final stretch placed R-B into the playoffs.
“Having Billy as the starter to begin the season is going to be a big advantage,” said senior wide receiver Lusthoff. “Billy has gotten so much better. His arm is a lot stronger and he has another year under his belt. He has been throwing some good balls.”

Title defense
R-B enters its third season in the four-team Metro Suburban Conference. The Bulldogs have gone 1-for-2 in capturing the league title during the last two years and return as defending champions.
After beginning the conference season with a 1-1 mark in 2007, R-B went on to win its next four games, which propelled the Bulldogs into the postseason. They qualified for the playoffs in the final MSC game of the year as they outlasted Fenton 29-26.
The Bulldogs begin league action on Sept. 19 at home against Fenton.
“We’re returning champs so we should be the favorite,” said Zeman. “Hopefully we win the conference, get in the playoffs and do some damage.”

No surrender
Although it was against three of the best teams in their respective class system last season, the Bulldogs surrendered 40 or more points in losses to Metamora, Nazareth Academy and Robeson. The defense, however, did go on to post three shutouts during the remainder of the year.
With all of the offensive linemen moving to a different side of the ball, expect to see the Bulldogs with a much more physical mentality up front, which should create impressive gaps for the linebackers to make plays. R-B surrendered 26 points per game in 2007 but plans to shave the number significantly. The Bulldogs will be tested early with re-matches against Metamora, Nazareth and Robeson.



SENIOR SAYS
Will Lusthoff
What were you first impressions of the new offense?
“I thought it was going to be something we would throw in every couple series. When I found out it was going to be our main set I was like, ‘Whoa.’”

How has the offense adjusted to the scheme?
“It was confusing at first but I think we adjusted well. We have a lot of guys, who usually play defense, playing offense for us. With the different formations, I think it’s working out pretty well.”

What are your expectations for yourself?
“They’re pretty good for myself. I’ve had experience out here and I just want to do as much as I can for the team.”

After starting 0-3 in 2007, why do you feel like you were able to turn it around and get into the playoffs?
“I just think that we came together as a team. We played hard and found a rhythm towards the fourth game.”


BY THE NUMBERS
17.5 Average points per game accumulated by the Bulldogs’s offense in 2007

18 Number of starters R-B has returning from the 2007 MSC championship squad

150 Wins accumulated by head coach Otto Zeman as he enters his 27th season with the Bulldogs